Since before Christmas 2021 I have had four recurring lower respiratory infections. Prescribed antibiotics each time only for to become ill again about 7-10 days from the end of each course. The worst thing is the breathlessness each time that prevents me from doing anything. No temperature, no fever, no cough or cold. Not Covid or omnicron.
Coincidently I had a Pfizer booster about four weeks before the first respiratory infection and wondered if it had affected my weak lung, I had right middle lobe removed 2019 for non small cell cancer.
Apologies for my long post but I am feeling so despondent now at now being able to walk far at all. Prior to this I was walking up to 8 miles a day no problem.
End stage COPD
Breathing machine cross infection
Bronchiectasis and avoiding chest infections
Loosing weight and getting very thin!
How long have you been prescribed antibiotics each time? And was antibiotic changed at all?I would be surprised you keep having recurring chest infections but would suggest that it is the same chest infection that isn’t clearing up.
I would have thought it would be sensible to have a long course of antibiotics to give it chance to clear up. It is unfortunate you are having breaks of 7-10 days of antibiotics because if still infected it just gives the bacteria chance to harden/strengthen itself and make it even more difficult to get rid of. This is same reasoning as to why we are told must finish a course of antibiotics even if feeling better.
You also need a different antibiotic. I am often given a broad range antibiotic but if chest infection has strong hold I need doxycycline. It isn’t uncommon for me to require several courses of antibiotics (and steroids) to become better. Even then it can be sometime for me to be fully recovered after original infection has gone.
Each course is for 7 days. I have had Amoxicillin three times and ciprofloxacin once, that gave me a very unpleasant metallic taste . They all gave me a severe allergic rash on my body. Also prescribed diuretics to combat the fluid in my lung. Result a severe rash. Then a course of antihistamines that gave me a fast heart rate.
Well in my opinion gp needs to be more proactive. Gp should be contactable at day 6 if you no better so can continue with antibiotics without a break. Definitely not 7-10 days. Also clearly amoxicillin not working for you so need a different antibiotic but not one you may have allergic reaction to!Ultimately you need to go back to gp and ask for much longer course of antibiotics to really clear infection up!!
After the end of the 7 day course of antibiotics I do feel slightly better but then around day 10 it hits me again all of a sudden. I am seeing my oncologist at Papworth hospital on Monday and will insist on further investigations.
Hello I too have the same problems as you constant infection producing lots of phlegm and gunk but I am so limited now as I have a severe rash reaction to most antibiotics also they have affected my stomach and I have gastritis so its so difficult I am at my wits end I also have a thyroid problem and fybromyalgia I used to walk run and have a massive allotment but now I struggle to get through the day..
I am so sorry you are having the same problems as me. I am usually very positive about coping with my heart and lung problems but it is difficult at the moment. I wish you well.