Oral steroids post exacerbation

[DadOfThree]

Hi All,

Following on from my exacerbation (confirmed LRTI on 18th May) and the completion of the course of amoxicillin, I'm still struggling with SOB, excessive sputum production and coughing, I've been put on a 5-day course of oral steroids. Just wondering if anyone else had been down this route, and whether the steroids made a significant difference. The antibiotics didn't do anything to relieve the symptoms of the exacerbation.

[2greys]

Very often a second course of antibiotics are needed if the sputum remains discoloured, ie. the infection has remained.

Steroids are to deal with any inflamation, steroids can make a big difference in this case. Make sure you take them first thing in the morning, one of the side effects is insomnia. Another side effect is they can make you feel like Superman, capable of dong anything, so be very cautious of overdoing things or you will suffer later for it. They can also make you very hungry, a point to watch if you are overweight. I hope you feel better soon.

[DadOfThree in reply to 2greys]

Will definitely watch out for the superman impact. I've tried remaining defiant and continuing to do as much as I can, today was my 4-year old son's birthday. Even without the steroids kicking in, it made me realise that taking him to the park to play football no longer consists of me running around like a madman 😂😂.

Putting on weight may not be bad thing lol. I'm only a slim guy but have gone from 11st 5 down to 10st 4 over the last couple of months...whilst obviously a potential issue for some I'm looking forward to the hunger.

[Spacecat1]

Have you been on amoxicillin for a long time? I used to take them and found d after a while I found when I had an excerbation I seemed to take lo get to recover. I asked gp to change my antibiotics and found my new ones work so much better. It might be they didnt suit me. But might be worth seeing your gp. The steroids I find I eat a lot when I have to take them. Have a chat with your gp or respertory nurse. For help regarding any medication take enjoy the sunshine

[DadOfThree in reply to Spacecat1]

I wasn't on amoxicillin for long, just a 7 day course after the exacerbation