Seeking adice for chronic lung infection.

[richardhinton123]

Hi everyone, ive just joined the forum to seek some advice for my parter who is suffering with a chronic lung infection which seems to be drug resistant. Hes had it for 10yrs now and has always managed it but to be honest i can see it taken more and more of a toll. I think its steppacoccus and a strain of influenza, and his consultant has prescribed apparently the only two main antibiotics neither of which have touched it. I feel like the consultant now doesnt have a clear plan of where to go next; hes already been to papworth who also couldnt offer much else. Does anyone have experience of this?? Id be so grateful for any suggestions or advice. Thanks so much all

[O2Trees]

Hi Richard, you don't say what diagnosis your partner has but 10 years is a long time to have an ongoing infection. People with bronchiectasis often have long running infections which have to be managed rather than cured, as they become colonised and the bugs just need to be kept down to as low levels as possible. But Ive no idea obviously if this applies to your partner. I.V. antibiotics are the strongest - has he been given these? Sometimes they want you to go into hospital to have them but some community teams or hospital-at-home teams will administer them at home.

Has anyone suggested the Royal Brompton chest hospital? I think they, or another similar hospital, could be your best bet as they are more specialised than anywhere else. It's in London and of course you don't say where you live. But you need to be really proactive and insistent that a better solution needs to be found. Good luck

[richardhinton123 in reply to O2Trees]

morning 02 trees, thanks so much for your help. my dad had an abscess on his spine a few years ago and had IV antibios, and I did wonder whether they'd help or not. Sadly, I think you're right, you do have to be somewhat insistent don't you.

The infection is Influenza H and Streptococcus Pneumoniae. He's had Amoxocillin, C amoxaclav, Doxycycline, Cefotaxime, and Flucloxocilline.

I don't think anyone has suggested the chest hospital, but will do so in the next meeting with the consultant.

[O2Trees in reply to richardhinton123]

The one Ive had twice now, three years apart, in hospital for double pneumonia is tazocin. It's horrendously strong but did the job but those pneumonia infections were acute, although I have long term lung conditions too (bronchiectasis, emphysema). So of course I don't know if that would be suitable for your partner with a chronic infection. There are also other ABs stronger than the ones you mention.

You could ask your consultant if there could be an underlying condition which would make this infection go on so long. You don't say if he's ever had any tests to see if he has any lung damage.

It could be useful to give the BLF helpline a call - 03000 030 555 office hours - and talk through how to approach the next consultant appointment. Their nurses are friendly and knowledgeable and will be able to indicate the questions you should ask.

[richardhinton123 in reply to O2Trees]

Excellent, thanks for this, honestly I'm so grateful.

[O2Trees in reply to richardhinton123]

A pleasure Richard - again, good luck and best wishes to your partner, jean

[Insomnus]

I have been taking colloidal silver in my inhaler for a few months now and I have not had any throat or lung infection during this time. I use 2 drops (45ppm) in my nebuliser at night and in the morning. I think a little more would be better, but people keep telling me to be careful. I have heard of people who take much more but with a lower content (< 40ppm ie 10ppm)

I got the idea from someone else (a carer) who's ward did not respond to conventional inhaler drugs, so she put him on colloidal silver and Quinton water and his infections were much relieved.

I must state there have been no scientific studies into this, but colloidal silver is not poisonous or harmful to humans and acts as a catalyst for bacterial Oxygen enzyme, it is very unlikely to work on viral infections, but does have some effect on fungal infections.

Many people drink colloidal silver, but I think it may affect your gut fauna, which are very important to your health and longevity.

[richardhinton123 in reply to Insomnus]

Insomnus, thats a new suggestion which at this stage I'm really grateful for! Thanks for taking the time

[mrsmummy in reply to richardhinton123]

With regard to the use of colloidal silver - whilst we do allow discussions of alternative treatments on the forum, please be aware that the British Lung Foundation have no knowledge of any research being done on this form of treatment in the UK. It isn't in any guidelines that they are aware of, nor would they ever recommend anyone tries a treatment like this when it hasn't been recommended by their consultant.

Please take care.

[richardhinton123 in reply to mrsmummy]

thanks, absolutely right, and noted!

[lKeith]

richardhinton123

Hi, welcome to the forum. Few if any are medical experts but the tribulations we have had give us all a bit of experience to pass on. I recently had 4+ weeks in hospital with an infection. I'd taken my standby meds of antibiotics & steroids & some strong antibiotic whilst in the Canaries. Everything I took bounced off it so I had to cut short the holiday and on my return went straight into hospital. It took the hospital 2No weeks and increasingly powerful antibiotics until the infection was killed off. It may pay your partner to get himself to A & E then admitted for them to take the same route my local hospital took. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the infection but it was very severe from which I am still recovering 10No weeks overall from discovery. Without a name of the infection this may not help but at least the hospital can monitor the situation better than a doctor who seems stuck for actions.

IKeith

[richardhinton123 in reply to lKeith]

no everything helps keith, I think any pointers are worthwhile, thanks for replying, I hope your chest is better soon

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Richard and welcome. I am wondering if your partner has had a ct scan, as you don’t mention a definitive diagnosis. Strep p, although very nasty is usually easier to treat as it is a gram positive bacteria. Haemophilus influenzae on the other hand can be more tricky as it is a gram negative (it has a biofulm), unless of course it is resistant to the meds. Lots of people with lung conditions take prophylactic medications, the most common of which is Azithromycin 1 three times a week. Manu find them very beneficial. Unfortunately I can’t tolerate them.

It seems to me your partner is being short changed and if it were me I would ask for a ct scan. Once you know what condition you are dealing with you could then look online for a respiratory consultant with a special interest in the condition diagnosed.

Your partner will find he will have to be his own advocate to get the excellent treatment that he deserves.

Good luck and please let us know how he gets on.

Love cx

[richardhinton123 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Hi Cofdrop, thanks for such as full answer. I do kinda feel the same about being short changed, and I suppose the frustration is that an infection feels like it should be the easiest thing in the world to clear up doesn't it. Still, you've given me a few things to perhaps enquire with in the next consultation.

[sagittar]

Hi richardhinton123,

I can't recommend any type of alternative medicine here on the forum. I see both a traditional Doctors and a Naturopathic practitioner. Impact my Doctor is both a Dr. and a Naturopathic.

Functional Medicine is a good thing. It's our choice to use both.

We need our Doctors and traditional protocols they prescribe, but if alternative medicine helps people and saves live. Why not, if nothing else is working. I joined this forum to learn and ask questions to see what is working and protocols they have tried with success- Traditional and Alternative Medicine. It's our responsibility to research it further before we try it, not to use it because someone suggested it.

It would be nice if the forum is more open with suggestions. It's always our choice. Research, Research, Research....is what I always say.

Good luck with your partners healing,

Sagittar