When to take meds for Bronch

[CLIVEANDANDREA]

I currently have a dilemma! I started a bad cold (about 4 days ago) and thought I had avoided needing anything. just took it easy, lots of liquid and paracetamol and went to bed early. Things have improved, still a bit bunged up and chockey, but felt I was on the mend. Went to bed last night and started wheezing and coughing. went for a tea at about 3am and have started coughing up green gunk, but can still breath ok. got a sore throat from coughing, but don't want to take the meds unless necessary, I don't know if I am just being a woos and its a cold or just stupid and should take the meds? I have Bronch but do a lot of cycling (about 100 miles a week). I count myself pretty lucky.

[y_not]

Hi,

"don't want to take the meds unless necessary" - isn't that a bit like not taking angina meds until you have a heart attack? Emergency meds are there to catch infections early and minimise any additional damage to our lungs ... delaying risks more damage and taking unnecessarily risks an immunity to that particular AB (but for us who need them, there are plenty of others to switch to!)

Sorry, I've been daft too many times now, delaying taking emergency meds early enough, waiting to see a GP, etc. Now, if I think "I wonder if it's nearly time" I simply crack open the packs!

I finally realise there are no medals for martyrdom so no point in me being a martyr - My suggestion is get some AB's down you as soon as possible!

Good luck & best wishes

[Yatzy]

I agree with y-not and my GP. Start early with the rescue meds or your inflamed lungs will begin to scar....and that's a whole new ball game. Good luck! Oh and stay off your bike a while...the long spells of deep breathing on a bike will drive the infection further into your lungs and make recovery much longer. Has happened to me, when I thought cycling might help clear the problem. It certainly didn't, I afraid.

[CLIVEANDANDREA]

Many thanks for the advice. I have started taking them now. My thought process was to wait until it was a really serious infection (i haven't quite figured out what that meant!) and then take them as I was worried that they would be ineffective if I took them too many times. I was told it was probably martyrdom that got me Bronch in the first place as I dotn go to teh doctor for anything!

Many thanks

[Breester]

I too have the same dilemma you have, should I start the AB? At the moment I am coughing a lot to clear the mucous which travels up to my throat which is green not copious but irritating. I am using Doxycycline, before that Amoxicillin. Neither seems to help much. Would welcome another suggestion for an AB. Also whether to use inhaler concurrently.

Good luck

[Busybee57 in reply to Breester]

Hi Breester I have bronchiestasis and am just starting to trust my instincts and take abs as soon as I get the first signs of infection, more mucus, more coughing, feeling more tired etc. I have used both doxycycline and amoxicillin and now have levofloxacin as my emergency pack. I use Fostair inhaler twice daily and four times a day when unwell as well as using salbutamol as and when needed. Do you use azithromycin and carbocistiene at all? X🐝

[Breester in reply to Busybee57]

Thank you Busybee57 for replying. I have recently moved to French health system, and next appointment with the GP I will ask for levofloxacin. If my chest feels tight I use Serevent. As you say the answer is to trust instincts and I am trying to find a combination of medicines that will help. Your information is invaluable. Could I ask you to explain to effectiveness of Fostair, salbutamol, azithromycin and carbocistiene? If this isn’t too much trouble. Am thinking of trying huffing method each morning. The change in my symptoms is so subtle, I forget that last year I cleared & coughed for a while then there would be a respite. Today it is constant and fear unless break cycle I will always be clearing & coughing. Urgent to find right combination of treatments.

Kind regards, Bree

[Busybee57 in reply to Breester]

Hi Bree I’m so sorry I haven’t replied sooner

The azithromycin is an antibiotic taken 3 times a week to try and keep infection at bay. Carbocistiene is taken ( 3 - 6 tablets ) daily to break up phlegm and help clear the chest. My consultant says as my airways are so inflamed to take fostair each morning and night (2 puffs each time). In addition if i am coughing a lot or breathless I also take up to 4 puffs of salbutamol. On top of this i take vit D every day and drink plenty of water . Hope this helps but happy to talk further x🐝

[Breester in reply to Busybee57]

Hi Busybee57,

I saw my GP & asked for azithromycin which she prescribed along with one puff Relvar each morning & salbutamol if needed at night. I can report a vast improvement, so thank you very much for your information. This site really helps hearing others health treatments that can be useful to others who are struggling.

Best regards Bree

[Busybee57 in reply to Breester]

So glad it's working for you Bree, thanks for letting me know Long may it continue 🤗 You are right about the site, it helps immensely and everyone is so helpful. X🐝