steroids & Antibiotics

[Mumtochd]

I have been unwell for last 5 days with a fever and cough. I have up yesterday and called 111 as really breathless. Got seen last night and got told chest infection into lungs and sent packing with steroids & antibiotics. Today breathless is worse as is wheeze, can barley climb the stairs in house with been totally out of breath. I have never experienced this before. How long should I give the steroids & antibiotics before contacting GP? Which is a mission on its own. I am on Fostair preventer and salbutamol which I have been using with a spacer so far today I have used the reliever 6 times.

[Homely2 Administrator]

Worst it has taken me is four days. I would ring the asthma UK helpline on 0300 2225800, tomorrow morning to get a rather better response, as I am slightly hors de combat at present.

[ReedB]

Sorry to hear you're feeling so bad. It can take anything from 2-3 days or more for antibiotics and prednisolone to start feeling like it's helping. Keep taking the Fostair as usual and blue as needed. General rule is that if the blue isn't helping after 10 puffs through a spacer it's time to go to hospital or phone an ambulance. There's been so very nasty virus/infections around so if you're not fully better by the end of the course go back to the GP. x

[gordy292 in reply to ReedB]

In the past it usually kicks in on the third day. With regards Prednisolone it is a wonder drug for me and I once commented to my doctor that the way they acted from my point of view I can well understand why sports people try to get away with taking drugs. Get well soon.

[ellamental]

Hi. I hope you feel better soon and they kick in quickly. Like gordy292 said...Prednisolone works well for me and seems to work in a few hours. I am in a similar situation. Asthma has been good for a while but last couple of night coughing up green phlegm with blood (a little), wheezy and I very hot or very cold. Saw my GP this morning who has put me on doxycycline (which worked last time well) and prednisolone and to take more fostair throughout the day. My oxygen was 90 and I was simply exhausted. I never sleep in the day but just had to today after coughing and not breathing well most of the night. Asthma is such a bummer especially when you have a throat/chest infection. Hope you feel much brighter soon and that it is all over in time for Christmas. 🙂🎄

[Oscarpebbles2021]

Usually takes a, few days, to kick in. Should be feeling abit easier then. Hope you OK for xmas x

[ChrissieMons]

Don't pretend you're ok. Give in to being an invalid for a bit - rest is the only way to get better from these infections.

[Mumtochd]

Thanks everyone for the reassurance. I spoke to GP this morning, advised to increase Fostair to 8 puffs and continue to use ventolin regularly throughout the day through spacer. If breathing doesn’t return to normal next week to phone for review. Said it can take 7-10 days.

[Patk1 in reply to Mumtochd]

Hope u soon feel better.do breathe the inhaler in as deep as possible,and hold for a second b4 exhaling slowly.it allows it to reach deep into Airways + have more effect.xxx