Seeking some advice, p aeruginosa.

[Stillkickin123]

Currently on cipro for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (I’m new with this). Does this make me vulnerable to other respiratory health dangers when out in public? If so what protective measures would you take?

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Sorry I can't help you with your question but I'm sure someone will be along who is able to help you. Please let us know how you get on, have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[Stillkickin123 in reply to Damon1864]

Hi Bernadette and Jack Thanks for your comments 👍 Jason.

[Hidden]

Not in and of itself, no, it doesn’t. It’s effectively no different to having a ‘normal’ chest infection caused by any bacteria. However, I’ve just seen your reply regarding your chat with the GP yesterday, and it’s relevant to this, as what would potentially make you more vulnerable and require a bit more caution is an underlying respiratory diagnosis responsible for you getting a PA infection in the first place. If you did have something like bronchiectasis, then avoiding certain environments where bacteria like PA are rife would be sensible.

[Stillkickin123 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Charlie, I have been staying indoors for a while now and my workplace has a policy where you must be free cough to attend. And we have mandatory masks indoors. I am living in Australia and we have many restrictions. So I will just work from home and keep taking cipro for now. I must say I don’t notice much improvement yet. I’m on 1000mg per day, now on day 5. Hope things settle soon and thanks for your informative message.

[Hidden]

Hi stillkiickin and welcome. I have been colonised with pseudomonas since 1986. I take cipro as the go to oral antibiotic when the numbers become enough to make me unwell and also have nebulised various antibiotics long term on and off over the years to keep the numbers down to levels where I live a perfectly normal life. It never actually goes away but lurks in numbers too few to be counted on the normal laborarory petrie dish.I have lifelong bronchiectasis and it is because my lung condition makes me vulnerable to catching other people's germs that I have always been careful around them, especually in the winter and when I can tell that someone has a cold or chest virus. Not the fact that I live with pseudomonas.

Pseudomonas is present in the air, in dust, water and soil and is not caught person to person. You cannot infect anyone else.

I don't know lung condition you have but as with many of us on this forum, you are wise to consider to take measures to protect yourself from those who are walking about in public with the infections that can make our lives more difficult. I hope that helps.

[Stillkickin123 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your message. Wow hard to grasp this is an infection you manage not eliminate. Have you ever been in the situation where cipro tablets did not work? If so what else could you do to control it? J

[janice01]

Hi there!

I use cipro as a rescue med. 750mg x2 for 14 days.

Alternative treatments include intravenous antibiotics.l have just had 10 days of Tazacin (can't spell it) and there is another inhaled antibiotic you need to start in hospital as I can cause chest spasm.

I was told with this last flare up (first in over 2years) that it was not susceptible to Cipro but l don't know why that was.

What colour is your sputum? It's a good guide to severity I am told. When I finish which ever antibiotic treatment, I'm advised to wait a few days then send another sputum sample in for testing...

Hope this helps and that you soon feel better.

I once was given (at the beginning by GP) too lower dose for too shorter time.

Pseudomous doesn't usually bother me but I have bronchiectasis, asthma and COPD.

Take the best care of myself that I can too.

Good luck and keep your spirits up...

Janice01

[Stillkickin123 in reply to janice01]

Thanks for the info. As for the dose I’m on 2 x 500mg daily cipro. Today is day 6 and I think I might notice a slight improvement of lungs. Can the ears and sinuses be the same bug too?

As for the sputum, I’ve never done that test and I was wondering how i’d go. Turned out to be a world class sample being quite large and more ‘solid’ than i’d have imagined. No wonder it is so hard to clear my lungs....

The sputum is very much a greyish white. I hope that means it is not too severe?

I was just on the phone to my Mum telling her and she told me she has Bronchiectasis (which I never knew) so maybe that’s me too?

Regards j

[janice01 in reply to Stillkickin123]

It needs to be put in a sterile pot and given to Dr to send off for testing.I wait until I'm off antis 4 days before I send it in.

I have been given 500mg cipro but it wasn't strong enough for me...?

Can't speak for others

Perhaps ask your gp about sputum testing.

Good luck and wish you well soon

Janice01...

[Stillkickin123 in reply to janice01]

Hi Janice, sorry I had a typo (meant to say i’d not i’ve Lol). The test was into a sample pot and that’s the one that identified the p.a. Bug. I’m onto my next 7 days of cipro now. Feels like I have a sinus infection behind my eye so wondering if that is the same bug. It’s certainly not a fun ride

[janice01 in reply to Stillkickin123]

No,not much fun,hopefully the cipro will help sinus as well.You have to take care of yourself.

My mother always advised sniffing up salt water. Don't know if that's a help or not? So meone may enlighten us.

Take your time, staying out of any windy spots and getting rid of whats in your lungs is best advice.

You have to really hoik it up.

I have a bed that l lay head lower than chest,sloping down in an effort to drain the lungs.

Percussion bangs to sides of lungs won't do you any harm either some are with more bothered than othes with secretions. I just know the more you get up is less in lung cavities, that's always been my aim.

Good luck, hope you can shift it upwards and get back in control... Janice01

[Stillkickin123 in reply to janice01]

You are right the more you lie down the worse the congestion. As for the sinuses have been using one of those squirty bottles with salty sachets. It’s not made headway yet but I’ll keep going until it does. Because I’ve been at this for nearly ten weeks it plays on your mind that you won’t get better, so really hoping for some improvement this week. I will get my wife to try the percussion on my back, that sounds good thanks.

[janice01 in reply to Stillkickin123]

I phoned the Asthma Assoc nurse couple of years ago re my nazal sounding voice.She suggested l use Fluticasone spray.

Nasofan Aqueous Nazal Spray.

Was so helpful lve never left it off!

She told me 2 squirts up each side morning and night.

You have to aim it up the nazal but squirt it toward the outside of the cavity.

I get it on repeat prescription...

Took a couple of weeks but really helped.

If you can get referred to a physio they can teach percussion therapy.

I lay on one side 10- 15mins then do rounds of percussion, lay on other side and repeat.

There is a specific way of managing the breathing with the banging... thats why l suggest chest physio.

Good luck and hope those ideas bring some relief for you. Please don't give up on it though, as one door closes the next door opens.... Janice 01

[Stillkickin123 in reply to janice01]

Appears that I’m getting admitted to hospital for about a week for IV treatment, my dr is trying to get me in.

[janice01 in reply to Stillkickin123]

Thats good news. 7 days is a bit short in my experience. Usually 10 to 14.

But don't let that put you in doubt.

Ask if you can see if you can see breathing/chest Dr or host infection Dr in hosp.

Fingers crossed...Janice

[Stillkickin123 in reply to janice01]

Thanks I’ve has a ct scan now thankfully so that sound help the week unfold. Looking forward to seeing a respiratory specialist this week, they are fitting me in. I will update as I go d appreciate all the assistance and comments thanks j

[janice01 in reply to Stillkickin123]

Thats great news!Will soon have you on the straight and narrow..

It shows it pays to persevere.

I've nearly ended 4 weeks treatment for flare up and much improved myself too.

Good luck with specialist...

Janice 01