relapses post infection

[girl_DJ_b]

hi all, hope everyone is doing okay? 💗

I’ve had infections on and off now since October 2023 and also a recent bout of pneumonia in March. I’ve had countless courses of oral antibiotics, 2 rounds of IV antibiotics at home and I relapse every time the treatment is finished.

This time around I really thought I’d cracked it. 2 week of oral antibiotics followed by 2 weeks of IV but it will be a week tomorrow since that treatment has ended and I’m feeling like I’m relapsing again. I’ve been doing everything the consultant has asked of me and I’ve been doing daily nebulisers and chest clearance and started on Azithromycin on Monday but I’m going downhill.

Any advice or guidance on how I can stop this from happening? I’m honestly so sad about how much time I’m wasting on being ill xx

[Spacecat1]

Is that medication the one you take mon/Wed/Fri. If so I'm on these and they work so well.

[girl_DJ_b in reply to Spacecat1]

Yes Azithromycin 👍

[Izb1]

So sorry to hear things haven't been good for you and really hope that the Azithromycin kick in soon as they have such a good write up. I would take a course of good vitamins and minerals or tonic and a probiotic to help your body pick up after all the meds you have been on. Your body now needs to heal and repair so plenty of home cooked meals and rest . I hope you start to get better soon x

[girl_DJ_b in reply to Izb1]

thank you. It’s so disheartening to be honest and it’s starting to take its toll on my mental health being so poorly all the time.

I take gut health tablets, a vit c and vit d but I’m all ears if there are any others you recommend to build me back up. Thank you for your advice xx

[Izb1 in reply to girl_DJ_b]

Sounds like you are on top of it. I found Metatone a good tonic when I was poorly for a long time . I am not surprised your mental health has suffered , I think illness does wear us down. I have my fingers crossed you have turned the corner now x

[girl_DJ_b in reply to Izb1]

thank you. I’ve tried Metatone before actually but a long time ago but will 100% try again. Thanks for your comment xx

[Biker88]

pneumonia can take a couple of years to fully recover, have you had X-rays, CT scan and broncoscopy as theses are sometimes necessary to confirm the cause of an infection. If it a fungal infection ( like I have) antibiotics don’t work.

[girl_DJ_b in reply to Biker88]

I’ve had all of these yes. I always seem to relapse after coming off antibiotics for just a chest infection too. I’ve been unwell since October with high CRP levels. But will take it easy after this bout of pneumonia and try and boost myself up- thank you

[Alberta56]

Have you got someone to look after you, or will you have to cosset yourself? Whichever, take things very gently- your body obviously needs time to recover. I don't know much about pneumonia, but I'm an expert on feeling a bit better and overdoing things. I'm sorry it's getting you down-hardly surprising. I hope you will avoid another relapse. Best wishes. xxx

[girl_DJ_b in reply to Alberta56]

yes I live with my partner and our 3 year old (which means I don’t ever sit down or rest!). I find it very difficult for my mental health to just sit and do nothing, I’m better when I’m keeping busy but I know I need to. I just really thought we’d kicked the infection this time

[Alberta56 in reply to girl_DJ_b]

You do need to rest- tell 3 year old so . Does child like being read to, or even drawing/ building things? I'm thinking desperately of all the things which kept my little dear occupied for more than 3 seconds. Difficult. Luckily mine was artistic and liked drawing. You have my sympathy- it's hard enough keeping up with a toddler when you are in good health. Bless them.

[girl_DJ_b in reply to Alberta56]

Yes she's such a good girl which is why I feel so guilty never really being able to play with her or take her to nice places x

[Alberta56 in reply to girl_DJ_b]

Please don't feel guilty. I'm sure you play with her as much as you can. I was born during the 2nd World War (yes, I'm ancient), and my mother was often ill while I was small. We weren't able to get out and about as much as we might have liked, but it didn't matter. I still thought she was the best mother in the world. xxx

[Mooka]

Have you had tests to determine the cause of the infections? If you are not on the right antibiotics then it will keep coming back. Have you had different antibiotics or are they just dishing out the same ones? I hope you have a Bronchiectasis specialist looking after you. I also hope you kick this soon as it must be really difficult to look after a three year old when you’re so poorly.

[girl_DJ_b in reply to Mooka]

Yes, I have tests every time it flares up again and I've tried multiple antibiotics, oral and IV ones. I have a really good Bronch specialist at the QE. Just at the end of my tether to be honest with it all

[Mooka in reply to girl_DJ_b]

That all sounds good. I went for nearly a year being tested including a bronchoscopy before I was eventually diagnosed with pseudomonas during a sinus op. These bugs tend to hide up. I had two weeks of two different antibiotics (at the same time) and then went onto nebulised antibiotics. I still nebulise them six years later. The nebulised antibiotics is to keep the numbers down. I’m so sorry you’re going through this I know how miserable and exhausting it is to keep have the infections and antibiotics.

[leo60]

Oh I really feel for you, it's hard enough being ill but with a 3 yr old as well, my goodness. I found for ages that I relapsed after my antibiotics finished and am now on Azith. I won't say I haven't had any infections since I've been on it, but they are very few.

I also wanted to mention that I am on antidepressants, as being ill all the time made me, like you feel so low. In fact I hadn't felt so bad since my postnatal depression (not saying you have this btw!) and that was horrendous! Are you taking any? Is it something you might consider? My doctor asked me how I was in myself and I burst into tears! I have always steered away from ADs since the last time, but I decided to bite the bullet and at least try them as I was such a mess. I am now much steadier and laugh a lot!

I hope you get on top of your infections, and feel happier soon 😘😘 xx

[girl_DJ_b in reply to leo60]

Thank you I really appreciate your message. I've not actually been to the Dr to discuss this to be honest, I just sort of try to keep going but maybe I should make an appointment. I've just spoken with the bronch nurse to get some advice and ended up bursting into tears then! xx

[leo60 in reply to girl_DJ_b]

Believe me, you are not alone and your doctor will not think you are mad!

I am always around if you want to talk, message me anytime 😘😘 xx

[leo60 in reply to girl_DJ_b]

Just noticed your sunflower 🌻, my favourite flower! Are you growing some with your little girl? My kids loved growing stuff, and now my granddaughter does too! 💕 xx

Laurie xx

[girl_DJ_b in reply to leo60]

Thank you- really appreciate your message.

I love sunflowers, they're my favourite flower too! We are growing some yes and they're doing so well (being kept inside at the moment until the weather improves)! We also grew some carrots and lettuce last year so hoping for some more this year 🤞 xx

[leo60 in reply to girl_DJ_b]

My garden has always been my happy place 😊 I sadly can’t do as much out there as I’d like anymore, but I now have a house full of plants!But I am still doing a few veggies and lots of flowers, sunflowers included! Xx

[Patk1]

I'd ring dr today+ take a specimen in today.itll be back by Tues.is mucous looking infected? Aft run of nasty infections,and lot of antibiotics ive literally felt ill and struggled to recover.see what dr suggests,whether u need antibiotic cover over weekend,or wait & see.Do drink extra fluids,take it easy, rest when u.can. I hope u soon pick up.it does play havoc with mental health bring ill so much xxxx

[girl_DJ_b]

Yep specimen going in this afternoon then will test to see what's going on. I will thank you so much for your comment x