Is it necessary to take steroids and antibiotics at the same time

[WilliamGeorge2nd]

Is it necessary to take steroids and antibiotics at the same time for a chest infection?

Or can you take one or the other, doctor didn't give very clear instructions.

I'm new to the site, so would be most grateful for any advice, I'm not very happy about taking either tablet, but if absolutely necessary I will.

[PMRPete]

Your doctor or respiratory nurse should have given you an action plan:-

for COPD:-

lothianrespiratorymcn.scot....

for Asthma:-

asthma.org.uk/globalassets/...

"If you are much more breathless than normal, and your daily living activities are affected, continue with increased reliever medication and start taking prednisolone.

Dose of prednisolone – 30mg once a day for seven days

Antibiotics

If the colour of your sputum changes from your normal colour start your antibiotics."

[Spacecat1 in reply to PMRPete]

My consultant kept me on both because my weight when I went into hospital was about 6 stone I was on antibiotics and steroids otherwise i lost my appetite. They reduced the amount of steroids which helped me and now back up to a healthy 8 and half stone. But when I have a COPD flare I have to go back on steroids because I lose wait rapidly when ill

[hypercat54]

Hi if you have a chest infection normally your mucus will be coloured yellow or green. You will need the ab's and the steroids. If your mucus is clear and you don't feel ill but more breathless than usual and your inhalors aren't sorting you out then you probably have an exacerbation without the chest infection in which case the steroids alone should be enough.

If you are not sure either see a doctor or take both to be on the safe side. I know you don't want to take pills and neither do any of us but infections and exacerbations can further damage our lungs so don't take any chances. x

[WilliamGeorge2nd in reply to hypercat54]

Thanks Linnie.

[Linnie13]

I'm on 7.5 mg prednisolone for see able future , have just been given 500 mg 3x day amoxayllin ,for chest infection my sputum is clear and always is that's why I didn't think I had an infection but apparently that can be so , I don't have c o p d or asthma I have ILD ,hopefully your infection will clear up soon 👍

[caroleoctober16]

The antibiotics are to fight the infection and the steroids are to widen the airways while the infection is blocking them so my lovely respiratory nurse told me. Keep smiling

Carole x

[WilliamGeorge2nd in reply to caroleoctober16]

Great, thanks Carole.

[Hidden in reply to caroleoctober16]

Very interesting. Thanks :))

[Hidden]

Hi William,

Antibiotics treat the bacteria causing the infection, steroids reduce inflammation in the lungs, particularly the smaller airways, and the purpose of them is twofold: they enable clearance of any secretions trapped by inflammation, and help reduce any related breathlessness and improve your breathing. Generally speaking, if you’ve been prescribed both for a current, active infection, take both. If you keep a stash of both at home in case of an exacerbation, then your gp or consultant (or respiratory nurse) should explain to you when and how it’s appropriate to start them. With my daughter, I can start her secondary antibiotics whenever I feel it’s necessary, but I only start her on pred if advised to do so by her team having notified them that she’s got a flare up - it all depends on the underlying condition and how it’s best managed.

Hope that helps and you’re feeling better soon,

Charlie

[WilliamGeorge2nd]

Thank you, great explanation, if only the doc had been as clear.

[Sjf129903]

Whenever I'm prescribed antibiotics I get the steroids at the same time it's pretty much do both they work together

[Hidden in reply to Sjf129903]

This is true!

[hallentine47]

My GP advises me to take Steroids for the wheeze and antibiotics for the infection or secondary infection. Steroids reduce the immune systems resistance and so an antibiotic helps protect you.

[lKeith]

WilliamGeorge2nd

Hi Welcome to the forum.

Steroids should be taken together with antibiotics, that's what the nurses & GP tell you to do. The steroids help to build you back up whilst the antibiotics go to work on the infection. If that is what your GP has told to do, remember that most of us on here have had the same treatment for years and have usually taken the 2No together. Put away your dislike & do what you have been told, much tho' you dislike doing it it's probably for the best result.

IKeith

[UHelga]

Hi and welcome WilliamGeorge2nd . It seems to me that different docs give different advice! When I was diagnosed with copd last autumn, my doctor told me to take antibiotics when I have clear signs of an infection, and steroids when I’m also more short of breath than usual. I’ve had several courses of antibiotics in recent months but haven’t yet had to take the steroids.