Six-monthly antibiotics for Bronchiectasis sufferers with colonised pseudomonas

[Claudine]

I have got my prescription of Azithromycin waiting to be started for the winter months. Am I right in thinking this is about the right time to start it?

Also, I have never had the shingles jab. Is this a good idea? Thanks all.

[RoadRunner44]

I can't believe this hasn't been suggested to you already! I assume you have had the flu jab as it is vital you take these important measures to protect yourself. If you haven't already contact your surgery tomorrow and get it booked. If you have to wait get it done in the local pharmacy instead,

You don't say what your condition is. Mine is bronchiectasis and I nebulize colymycin each day throughout the year. What will you be taking Azithromycin for and have you had it before?

[Claudine]

Yes I had the flu jab recently and have also had the pneumonia jab a few years ago but nobody has mentioned the shingles jab. Mind you, someone I know had all three jabs in one arm at the same time and has been 'poorly' for about a week. I've made an appt. for shingles jab for the end of November but I'm feeling nervous about it now. I have Bronchiectasis with colonised pseudomonas and have had it for about 10 years. I take Azithromycin each winter but keep trying to put off starting it! I know it's silly.

[Hidden]

I took it continuously for five years from 2007 until 2012 when it stopped working. That’s the thing with bronch. It’s all suck it and see. I do hope that you find it helpful.

[Claudine]

I seem to remember that I took it continuously for about 2 years once but Consultant then decided I would be better off taking it just through the winter months. Presumably in the hope that I wouldn't become immune to it. GP is useless of course. It's just that I put off starting it - I must pluck up the courage! I know you said you've had Bronchiectasis since the age of 3. Do you know what caused it? I have a distant relative in the Welsh valleys and she had one lung removed as a child because of it. I presume that's all they knew how to do in those days.

[Hidden in reply to Claudine]

I am one of the thirty percent for whom there is no apparant reason except that I had six pleural pneumonias in quick succession. I did not have measles or whooping cough. I read a few years ago that the cery first diptheria vaccine was floated in a substance which caused pneumonias and pink disease. Theychanged it very quickly. I asked my consultant if she thought that it was silly to consider that reason and she said no, it is known that it happened and succesive governments covered it up.

Just a word about azithromycin. It is a macrolide drug and pseudomonas learns to evade it. Cipro, the only really effective oral drug against pseudomonas is a fluroquinolone. Not everybody can tolerate it but it is a very effective drug. You will know if your pseudo is having a party despite the azith and if that happens get straight to your consultant. I agree about GPs. They are useless when it comes to bronch.

[Hidden in reply to Claudine]

In the 1950s cutting out the ‘bad’ bits was the thing to do. My mother flatly refused to let them cut me about, mainly because the bronch was in so many places. When we met a very radical doctor in 1956 who started me on what is basically the treatment and management which we have today, he told her that she had saved my life and my quality of life because although my lungs were damaged I still had the tissue to exchange gases and with management I could lead a full life. Here I am at 69, bronch hasn’t stoppedme doing anything that I want to and it’s still so today.

[maggy12 in reply to Hidden]

Same age as me Little pom and I have had bronchiectasis all my life x

[Hidden in reply to maggy12]

That’s brilliant.

[garshe]

I have been put on Azithromycin by my Consultant for my Copd. One tablet 3 times a week. Hopefully will stop chest infections throughout the Winter months. I had the Shingles jab .you can have it at 70yrs old and 73 I think. It's strange but cant have it in between. I was ill after it had flu like symptoms and a very sore arm. Thank goodness it's a one off as wouldn't have it again. Mind you when the nurse told me a story of a patient with shingles this made my mind up to have it as I refused the first time.xSheila.

[Claudine in reply to garshe]

The age qualification is really strange. When I rang up for the appt. the first ting she did was ask my age. Luckily I'm 73 so qualified. Maybe if I had waited for my next birthday in Spring I may not! I'd better gird my loins for the after-effects then. Old age is not for wimps eh? I remember my father developing shingles soon after he retired. Clearly retiring was more stressful than working. Thanks for the warning. I must start the Azithromycin too I suppose. Heyho. Winter is here.

[Maximonkey in reply to Claudine]

Hi Claudine, do not worry about the shingles jab, both my husband and myself have had it with no side effects. Just go and get it done. My mother suffered in later life from shingles and it was heartbreaking for me to watch her agony. Take care Maximonkey

[stanns in reply to Maximonkey]

I am on Azithromycin and seem to be fine on it, so far o.k.

[garshe in reply to Claudine]

My husband didn't get any reaction from the shingles jab so you may be OK.. I am also confused by the age you have to be. My husband had his at 70 I was with him and having my flu jab and Pneumonia jab so refused the Shingles. I was then surprised the following year when I was refused it. I was then offered the Shingles jab when I was 73. Strange lol. You'll be fine better than having Shingles .xxSheila xx Good Luck.

[Claudine in reply to garshe]

Thank you. That's what I was hoping/waiting for - some positive reaction. Yes, I will have the shingles jab. I will also start my Azithromycin this week (I suppose!). I don't want to become immune to that because the Ciprofloxacin (which is my rescue pack if all else fails) is horrible - makes me feel nauseous. I really don't like that. It spoilt my whole Christmas one year. Thanks folks.

[garshe in reply to Claudine]

I am 75yrs young and I am not worried about taking the Azithromycin as I now look at Quality of life. I have checked and some have taken it for 10 yrs and no side effects. I was happy my Consultant prescribed it as my GP would not give it to me. I am going to take it all year and not worry. Just started in September so hoping it works. At my age I just want to be able to carry on as I am .I was diagnosed Severe COPD 10yrs ago and still here so that's a Bonus lol. Theres always someone worse off than me . I remember this every single day. I am off out for my exercise class.......no not the Gym , shopping .I walk for ages around the shopping Precinct with my husband. Stopping for a rest if I need to and feel fantastic for being out and about .I dont rush but it's great getting my glad rags on and make up etc and being out and about If it rains I am under cover so great. Have a good day xxSheila.

[Claudine in reply to garshe]

Just taken my first Azithromycin of the winter! Thanks for your optimism. It's a lesson for us all. Going out now for my little stroll round town. The sun is shining and the washing is out. Have a good week.

[Perrythomas in reply to garshe]

Have been on Az for 12 years, and now stopped as it becomes ineffective for me - long term use seems fine

[Neville33 in reply to Claudine]

Have you tried levoquin, which is Aldo used for pseudo, as well as Tobramyacin and Cayston...I also have psedomonas and am on Colistin every other month,...these 3 drugs are nebulized...I'm surprised they aren't using these drugs...azithromyacin is usually the big guns medication only as a last resort....I go from National Jewish Hosp in states...world renown for respiratory

[Claudine in reply to Neville33]

I think you've answered your own question - we survive (if we're lucky) on the NHS. Haven't heard of any of those drugs to be honest. I've never nebulised a drug (yet). Does this mean it goes straight to the lungs instead of having to be digested first? That makes sense actually because our guts do tend to be rather sensitive. I'll make a note of the names and put them to my Consultant next time I see him.

Thank you for your interest.

[inhaler1]

Hi I take Azithromycin, through the winter months fro Bronchiecstasis i started at the start of October, been taking for about 4yrs 3times a week untill Spring, i think it helps as less infections but still get severe flare ups.

I have had whooping cough as a baby but only started symptoms in my 30s to 40s at same time i was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis.

I see a specilist at chest clinic every 4-6months which is reassuring just not looking forward to the cold Winter months.

[Claudine in reply to inhaler1]

Please see my reply to garshe. Thanks for your reply.

[Blackcat99]

The age thing for shingles jab is really weird. Suspect it’s a financial decision rather than a medical one?

Both husband and I had it with absolutely no ill effects.

We were determined to have it as soon as possible after watching two (separate) friends be very ill with shingles and, for one in particular, it has really ruined her quality of life in the long term.

You can get the jab done privately, I believe, but not cheap (maybe about £300?)

Good luck with your preventative measures, esp over the winter!

[Claudine in reply to Blackcat99]

I feel more positive about this aspect of winter now anyway. I think the problem with my friend is that she had all three jabs in one arm at the same time. Not a good idea. My appt. is booked for end of November. I shall be on here again if there's a problem!!

[bwp91]

Yes mainly a financial decision. They started with shingles jabs at 79 and 70 (I was lucky to just make the latter and it was no trouble). Then they’ve stuck to 70 and gradually reduced the top end. Tough on the 80 + group though isn’t it, especially as they would be likely to really suffer? B

[Claudine in reply to bwp91]

Yes it is - surely the older you are the more you need help! I think we need to spread the word and quickly! It's going to be the main topic of conversation at our coffee tables for a while.

[Pentreath Volunteer]

I was never the ‘right age’ and then I got shingles. Very, very painful and debilitating. Asked the GP if I could have the shingles jab even though I was still not the ‘right age’. He explained that it might not stop me getting it again but it would not be as severe. (I had it all round both thighs and up into back, they had never seen anything like it and asked to take photos!). No problem with the jab.

[Claudine in reply to Pentreath]

Thank you - this is becoming a fascinating subject and has opened up all sorts of sidelines. My appt. for the jab is booked now. And I have a whole list of drugs to mention/suggest to my Consultant next time. He's going to wonder where I got all this info from. Perhaps he should have a look at this site.