Bronchiectasis sufferers do you get this ?

[TG58]

I have been up and down again the last couple of days, possibly an infection coming on, the thing is I have been getting a horrible taste in my mouth which I can only describe as a metal/iron type of taste if that makes sense, I've also had a lot of bloating in my stomach the last couple of weeks, which doesn't help when your trying to breath in, the GP prescribed some more pills for my stomach and a powder drink to loosen my bowel ( I also take esomeprazole for acid reflux ) so not sure if it's all the medication giving me the bad taste. Does anyone else ever get this horrible taste ?

Also I have just started to take Clarithromycin earlier this evening as I think I may have an infection starting, however I also take the 3 times a week Azithromycin as a preventative, so is it ok to take both ?

I have to laugh and try and keep my spirits up, I think I have taken more medication in the last 3 months than I have taken in years, I'm convinced I will start to rattle soon

[Hidden]

I get that type of taste when I’m starting an infection so it could be that.

Clarithromycin and azithromycin belong to the same class of antibiotic so you shouldn’t take them together.

[Patsy164]

Hi TG58 I agree with Hanne regarding the taste and not taking the two medicines together. I am having an exacerbation at the moment my consultant rang me and I asked him if I should stop taking azithromycin whilst starting ciprofloxacin he said yes stop taking azithromycin. I would just check with your gp as we are all different.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Hidden]

My daughter has cf alongside a host of other things, with her scans showing some bronchiectasis as part of her lung disease profile. Metallic taste is something she quite routinely used to complain of, but hers seemed to be linked to mast cell issues: once we got her on a decent regime to (mostly) control her mast cell symptoms such as chronic idiopathic urticaria, both the metallic taste and gastric symptoms such as frequent nausea and bloating went away. Not suggesting you have a mast cell issue, just illustrating that it’s not something unique to bronchiectasis and may have a root cause elsewhere. When I was googling to try and understand her symptoms, metallic taste seemed to pop up in people with all sorts of issues, but no one really seemed to be able to explain what it is or why it happens.

As per other replies, Clarithromycin and azithromycin are both macrolides, so I would be inclined to say no, you need to stop the zith, but would advise double checking with your doc. We always carry on with macrolide therapy with other oral antibiotics like cipro though, unless specifically contraindicated.

[TG58 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your replies, yes only had the metal taste the past few days, having said that I got up this morning and it's not really there, so probably because I started the antibiotics, hopefully once they start to kick in properly all will be well again, now I just have to worry about hayfever and the pollen count over the next few days. And the hits just keep coming 😂

[Hidden]

Stop the azithromycin when you start another antibiotic and restart as soon as you have finished the course of antibiotics.

[summerwind35]

yes I get that could be infection or Clarithromycin .

[cofdrop-UK]

I used to get nasty tastes with infections, not sure I would describe them as metallic. I could differentiate by the taste and pattern of infection whether it was HI or step p. Such is the cunning changing nature of bronchiectasis, although I still get tastes as one of the first warnings of infection, I can no longer guess which pest it is.

Glad it’s improved a bit for you since starting the abs. Hope you feel better soon.

Love cx

[VELoce21]

I suggest you contact your respiratory nurse. I was told any antibiotics ending in ‘mycin‘ then you stop azithromycin. But ask your experts.

[VELoce21]

I agree stop your zith.

[VELoce21]

I always have that taste when I have infection. If it’s new for you can you ask your respiratory department? Take care

[TG58]

Thanks all, the antibiotics have kicked in already and I'm feeling better, had a nice long walk today, I'm trying to walk a few miles every other day, as I'm back at work in a couple of weeks so I need to get into the swing of my postmans roll.

I'm so grateful for this site, and all you fantastic people here, I've learned a lot and starting to learn more about when infection start's and what I need to do, no doubt I will have plenty more questions as I progress in this damned illness, hopefully I will be able to contribute more myself in the future 🙂

[Joy123]

I’d say no. Don’t take azithromycin too. I have to stop mine when I’m a full course of antibiotics. Joy.

[LizzieWizz]

I find Clarithromycin always gives me a bad taste in my mouth so would blame it on that. It can also cause tummy troubles too. Glad you're feeling better.

[Remster]

Hi TG58, I stopped taking Azith a while ago due to adverse side effects experienced.

I've also got all the issues you've mentioned including the horrible taste in my mouth. Like you, I've also been prescribed a lot of meds - e.g. Omeprezole, carbocisteine, montelukast, mebeverine, amlodipine, spirits etc. I believe the horrible tasteful be due to the meds or unhealthy gut.

Although, progress is slow I agree with you - keep our spirits up and keep on RattlingI

[TG58 in reply to Remster]

Yes I've always been of the mind try and take as few meds as possible, as I've always believed putting lots of chemicals in your body can't be good, unfortunately as you get older more ailments come on you and you virtually have no choice, although I know I'm not half as bad as some of the folk on here.

I used to take just the Omeprezole . simvastatins and probiotics, and the very occasional paracetamol, now I take the above along with Azithromycin, carbocisteine, Fexofenadine for hayfever, and when I need it Clarithromycin if infection starts, like in at the moment, I also have just purchased some vitamin D tablets to help my immune system, so obviously not great but at least it's all keeping me going.

Old age how lovely, ha ha ha.