do I start my rescue meds?

[BroncoM]

Hello all,

Diagnosed asthma and Bronchiectasis in December following 3 month chest infection. Got better by being hospitalised and treated with nebs, steroids 14 day antibiotics.

on daily fostair and reliever.

Had a bad chest developing over the week, and I am starting coughing up yellowish phlegm. Crackling noises when breathing.

I have rescue pack of steroids and antibiotics. Should I at least start taking antibiotics now?

my respiratory nurse did mention best to have sputem test first.

thanks

[Homely2 Administrator]

I think you will get some replies, saying yes, as getting on top of these things quickly is important, and if you have been told to take the antibiotics when in trouble, do so.

My medics however are always cautious and say if you can access medical advice, do so before doing things, so I would ring 111 and ask them.

I have always found 111 very helpful.

[Troilus]

I would say yes, start the antibiotics now. I understand why the nurse suggested a sputum test first - this would allow for the identification of the type of bacteria and allow for an antibiotic specific to that bacteria to be prescribed . The antibiotics in your rescue pack is likely to be broad spectrum (kills lots of different bacteria) By the time you contact your nurse, put the sample in, get the results, get the prescription you could be looking at the back end of next week before you start on medication.

My advice would be to start your antibiotics now and contact your nurse a.s.a.p. to say you have done so and query starting the prednisone.

[Poobah]

Agree, start the antibiotics now, but phone your GP surgery to advise them you've started treatment as they will need to update their records and may want to check in with you or invite you in for a quick chest exam. Every surgery seem to have their own system. And you'll need to replenish your rescue pack. Hope you feel better soon, but if you don't, you'll need an appointment with your asthma nurse or doctor....never hesitate if your symptoms worsen or the antibiotics aren't working as expected.

[Singinglouder]

Interested to see people suggesting start the antibiotics but consult before starting pred. My rescue pack is only pred, so my asthma plan is to start that when I get to a certain point, and contact the surgery to discuss antibiotics… Anyone else with just rescue pred?

[porthos06 in reply to Singinglouder]

Hello! Yes, I am just rescue pred too, although I also have a bunch of sample pots for putting in sputum tests. The downside of this is that I usually have to wait a week before getting the test results back 😒

[Patk1 in reply to porthos06]

Put Yr sample in,start antibiotics while waiting for result

[porthos06 in reply to Patk1]

But that's what I was saying to Singinglouder - I don't have rescue antibiotics, only rescue steroids 🤷‍♀️

[Singinglouder in reply to porthos06]

I think it does make sense to me. They’re trying to be careful with antibiotics, so the bugs don’t all get resistant, and if the asthma doesn’t respond to the pred alone that makes the case for the antibiotics to be added. Never actually been asked for a sample, it’s always just been done on symptoms (mostly when I’ve been to the gp about something else, I’ve always been fairly oblivious to my own symptoms!)

[Patk1]

U should treat infections quickly.if Yr not ill,put a sample in & start thm to ensure correct treatment

[BroncoM]

thanks everyone- sputem test all clear and chesty cough not bothering me so the respiratory team said do nothing. I have an appointment in a month and they will teach me how to get all mucus up !

😊😊

[Patk1 in reply to BroncoM]

Meanwhile u can look on aluk website re lung clearance + there r videos too - once the mucous is up+out cpl x a day, the crackling shld improve x

[BroncoM in reply to Patk1]

Thank you I’ll take a look!