7 weeks now with a chest infection. Just as it seems to improve, it comes back. I saw my specialist today. He is a star!
After 2 lots of ABs and 2 lots of steroids, I knew on Saturday night it was back, so I started my 3rd lot of steroids but no ABs as he had already told me that they won't help.
So, today my hero tells me he thinks I am quite resistant to ABs, I've only ever had them 4 times in my life, but that's how it is for some it seems. He has put me on Seretide 500 to accompany my Spiriva and Ventolin. Sent me for a chest X-ray, which he doesn't think will show anything sinister as I had one 6 months ago, but WILL show if I still have a sign of infection and whether this exacerbation has caused more permanent damage. He also did a sputum test which I dropped into microbiology as I was there anyway.
Anyway, I fitted all that in around my car service and MOT, the electrician finishing the work in our utility room and some shopping. I think I deserve the glass of wine I have just poured.
It's all a bit of a boring story really, but I needed to say it.
Oh, and my lovely brother looks like e might ave prostate cancer
Lynne xx
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Lynne1955
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Hi Lynne. Sorry to hear you're still stuck with an infection. I've been on Seretide 500 for a while and it did make a difference. My last infection I was given a nebuliser to try as I was left with residual pain. I didn't like using it much as I don't really think I'm bad enough yet. I was also told to try antihistamines too! Hope your results come back clear.
Hi Lynne so sorry to hear you are still not well ,I am the same at the moment second lot of ABs again but I did send a sputum sample in turns out I have a bug that was resistant to amoxicillin and now they have put me on doxycillin hope they do the trick this is my 7th infection since feb .so there is hope for us .So sorry about your brother wish him all the best will keep fingers crossed for him .Keep your chin up
I thank you both. It's a bit sad that most now comment on jokes than on serious blogs which are seeking support. My time on this site in going to be minimal soon. I try to support others, but find little myself.
I`m sorry to learn about your brother Lynne, There is a lot of news and awareness about prostate cancer at the moment.
I`ve had an infection for a few weeks now, just finished my last lot of AB`s and thought it was going but I must have got another strain, I`ve been feverish, hot and cold and cough cough gunking stuff today So its back to the docs yet again for me. Fed up with it as it seems to chip away at my strength all the time.
I can so relate to that. It's wearing. It has been steroids that helped me. My specialist said that if 2 courses of different ABs don't sort it, none of them will. Just when mine seemed to go, it came back. Keep pushing with the doctor.
My bro is a fighter too, like me. We have both had bowel cancer and are ok. Our other brother died of it age 39, that's when we learned we had a defective gene.
I also had mouth cancer, caught very early 20 years ago and still clear. What is so amazing is we are relatively so fit! My bro runs half marathons age 68. I don't do that but can do the gym pretty good age 58.
Oh dear Lynne, you`ve had and still have your share of troubles.
I am going for an assessment for pulminary rehabilitation tomorrow, I`ll have a chat with them about my ongoing wheezy chest. I`ll let you know what they say. You do well to go to the gym, you seem to be a bit of a fighter with motivation. I hope I can get this from the rehab course. xxx
Oh Lynne - how awful for you. If its any consolation it took my doctors, GP then consultant to get rid if my chest infection I had just prior to diagnosis. 2 lots of amoxicillin, then clarythamycin, then something and then doxy. Hopefully the sputum sample will shed some light on what the little blighter causing your problems are. You will be back in the gym before you know it. I am sure you will.
I'm very sorry to hear about your brother - there's probably nothing I can do or say but I am thinking of you and sending you my very best wishes.
Marie x
So sorry Lynne you are still not over this infection and so so sorry about hear about your brother, I hope the doc and medicine can fix the problem for you both.
Hope the car passed its service and the electrics at home are working as they should.
You've had a full day with the shopping and all, so yes you deserve that glass of wine, put your feet up and relax and enjoy your evening.
Hope you are feeling better real soon. All good wishes
Not a great Monday for you, Lynne - sincerely hope that from today things start to go on the up.
So sorry to hear of your troubles Lynne,do hope you are feeling a bit better by now.Maybe you need to slow down a little,whilst unwell.
Sad to hear about your brother,do pray things work out,you are a family of great fighters by the sound of it! I wish him every success,with any treatment etc.
I had to have a scan to diagnose my bronchiectasis. That gives you infection after infection. I take loads of herbals to keep my resistance up and Ive just started some Manuka honey drinks it has antibacterial properties but its early days yet. Good luck x
Morning Lynne, I've just read your blog and am so sorry you've still got the infection. I totally sympathise - having had one for over 3months recently.
It was a month long course of Azithromycin , 3 days on followed by 7 off over the month that finally kicked mine to touch.
It completely knocks the wind from sails in every way. Now, to have your brother's news will be awful.
I do so hope he has a treatable cancer, caught early and is connected to a great hospital.
You have much love, respect and support here. Especially from me, for your words of experience, kindness, unbiased support particularly with smoking and exercise.
You are very welcome to PM me, I have a bit of experience as my dear ex husband had cancer of the prostate.
Very, very best wishes to you and yours. Penelope xx.
Thank you for your lovely comments. I'm hoping my brother will be ok, he worries as our ather had prostate cancer and died age 89 without knowing as they couldn't do anything for him.
Luckily my brother has been having regular checks with a biopsy every time his levels went up. This is the first positive biopsy, so hopefully it is treatable.
I feel much better today and had a great night's sleep for the first time in weeks, so I think the Seretide is helping. Hopefully the X-ray and sputum test will reveal all (and not in a bad way I hope). xx
Hi Jim. Thank you for your post. Please see above answer to Peeg. Hopefully my brother has been diagnosed early.
My GP said yesterday that its not uncommon with copd for an individual like me, who rarely gets a cold let alone an infection, to have a real humdinger when one takes hold. I'm hoping I will be on the end now. Xx
Sounds like your brother was diagnosed very early Lynn, so it may be years before he has to make any treatment decision. Hope the infection is on the way out,
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