I have had my first chest infection I was told when I went to the doctors I should have taken antibiotics and seroids,how do you know when

[jean115]

[Hidden]

Hello my husband suffers with severe Copd - he was told by the respiratory nurse that he should start his abs and steroids if two of the following symptoms worsen:

More breathless

More coughing

And /or change in colour in sputum

Experience has taught him to always start them if he starts with a heavy cold

It is really learning about your own body and symptoms it is really difficult and we have found there is a fine line deciding whether to start them or not!

I hope that has helped a little. It might be worth a phone call to the blf helpline they maybe able to give you more definitive advise. Take care with love TAD xx

[jean115 in reply to Hidden]

thanks but I just felt a bit ruff and more breathless I dont want to take them if I dont need to Im sure that cant be good for you. All I get told is you have to learn to live with it. Maybe I dont have enough information. My nuse seens to think I shoud just get on with it.

[Hidden in reply to jean115]

I have found you have to be very proactive with this condition - some of my husbands medical team have been very much of the opinion that you just get on with it and I have to be honest it has been very hit and miss. I would definitely ring the BLF helpline, they have lots of information and can advise what the doctors should be offering. Please go back to your doctor and ask when he thinks you should take the antibiotics. There is lots of help including pulmonary rehab. (a course of monitored exercise and information) which is invaluable for COPD sufferers. You could ask for a referral. Lots of luck and yes you do have to live with it BUT you need to have control and a good quality of life. with love TAD xx

[CornishBrian in reply to Hidden]

Ask your doctor or COPD nurse, for the book. It gives all sorts of info plus a check list to see if you take ab, steroids or both. Also includes a couple of sheets to log flare ups.

[Hidden]

I think if you have been prescribed these, your doctor should have explained to you when you should take them. I can refer you to another link which gives you an idea but you should really be speaking with your doctor about this.

the pdf document from the Lothian link on this post explains some:

healthunlocked.com/blf/post...

[kimmy59]

Evening

Now I get different symptoms.

I have severe Emphysema I do get a little more breathless, keep getting hot flushes and sometimes feel sick and then get pain in either front or back around the rib area. I don't really get the different coloured sputum and my consultant said everyone is different and we all get used to when we have an infection.

The other symptom I get is a bit hard to describe, my diaphragm it's like where a Hoover is blocked and is struggling to suck, it's a horrible pulling feeling.

Sorry to waffle.

Kim

[katieoxo60]

Hi jean115, if you have coloured sputum it's usually a sign of infection even in people who don't have lung conditions. True as an individual you have to learn when your own body needs extra treatment or care, I find my breathing gets worse, but do get coloured sputum occasionally, colds do not respond to antibiotics. As time goes on you will learn how to deal with your bodies symptom flare ups, but you should have an action plan and rescue pack for flare ups however having said that many people don't have this including myself I have COPD/ asthma . Treatment can be very hit or miss as they say, if really concerned contact BLF help line

[skinnylizzy59]

You get to know how you feel when an infection is starting, I get hot and cold flushes, a headache, heavy eyes and feel generally yuck so I immediately start my antibiotics. If it starts to improve I carry on, if it doesn't I phone the Helpline Nurse at Papworth and she advises me what to do, usually to see my doctor and sometimes to go to Papworth to see my Nurse Consultant or a Doctor. You have been given a reserve supply of antibiotics for a reason so use them, then when you are feeling better you can decide what to do next. Take care. Lizzie.

[onamission]

Hi Jean it's important to get the treatment asap when I get the flu I take my steroids and abs straight away they wont harm you but the flu will I hope your feeling better soon

[stillmovin]

Hi, I agree it is important to have a back-up supply of antibiotics and prednisolene tablets from your GP/nurse for when you are having a chest infection and I have read so much on this. My problem is I don't know when I am having an infection and don't want to keep taking antibiotics/steroids as through most of the winter months I have been short of breath with a dry cough. This is despite getting lots of advice from a respiratory nurse and changing medication from Serevent to Symbicort. My mucus colour has always been a greenish colour. So that is no indication in some cases that you are having an infection. If so, I have been having an ongoing infection for the past 2 years and that I do not believe. I generally have been feeling low for a few weeks with headaches and this is very much due to menopausal hormonal activity, not an infection. Like you, I am trying to sort out what my symptoms of a chest infection are and what aren't. It is difficult. Sometimes I notice that rainy cold weather causes breathing problems and also after eating bread or some other acid reflux causing food. I am trying my best to eat well, get exercise, take plenty of vitamin supplements. I sympathise with you. All I suggest you do is act as best as you can to seek information, monitor your own symptoms, change medication when you feel you are having problems and do what you can to fight this condition. Best of wishes to you. xx

[Pantani]

As well as taking antibiotics and steroids I have been told to take a sputum sample and get the GP practice to send it to microbiology. The purpose of this is to establish what bug is present and to identify the correct medication to tackle it.