Should I be worried?

[Seagullcity]

I have been attempting to manage my bronchiectasis and have so far managed to avoid getting any nasty bugs in my lungs. But recently I developed an ear infection, in my eustacian tube. A 1 week course of amoxicillin failed to cure it, so I had a second trip to the doctors and have been on a 1 week course of clarithromycin. A couple of days ago I was aware that my other ear also felt blocked, so I think the infection crossed over my throat ( which might be feasible as I do daily lung clearance). The second doctor had also given me a swab to do on my infected ear.

The doc just phoned to tell me the lab has identified the ear infection as pseudomonas, and now I am panicking that this might get into my lungs. Doc says I’m just panicking and that the clarithromycin would sort it out anyway. Hoping for reassurance….

[Swizzy]

Hello Seagullcity. Ears can be such a pain with bronchiectasis. It is all linked to the condition. It's good that your doc sent off and found the pseudomonas. Don't catastrophise as there is no need. It is quite likely that you have already had pseudo in your lungs in numbers too low to cause any trouble. Most of us bronchs live with pseudo. I have given it a home since 1986. The aim is to keep the numbers low enough so that you can live a normal life. If the doc can knock the pseudo in your ears on the head you should be able to keep your bronch stable. Clarithromycin is a horrible drug to take and is not really the one for pseudo. My consultants have never wanted me to take it. Ciproxen is the only truly effective oral drug against pseudo but as some can't tolerate it, doxycyclin is often used instead. For bronch, 14 days is the prescribed course of any antibiotic but your doc may opt for a shorter course if he is only targeting your ears. I hope that your ears get sorted. Keep getting the gunk out of your lungs to stop speudo having a party in there.

[Seagullcity in reply to Swizzy]

Hi Swizzy and many thanks for your reply. Yes, it was good that the doctor requested a swab after the amoxicillin didn’t work. And yes, the clarithromycin has not been nice to take. He’s now given me Cetraxal ear drops, which contain ciproflaxen, which will hopefully sort out the ear problem. And fingers crossed the pseudomonas hasn’t travelled from my eustacian tubes, up my throat and into my lungs. The doctor said this would be highly unlikely, but I’m not so sure, especially as it managed to migrate from one ear to the other. I’m learning a lot about antibiotics from people on here and hoping I do t need to take them often, but I know my immune system is not healthy now. Thanks again for your expertise in these matters, S

[Swizzy in reply to Seagullcity]

🤞It sounds as though your GP is determined to get on top of it.

[LissacFrance]

Doyou already take Azithromycin? If so, this should help keep your lungs clear. Good luck, earache can be awful, Cris.

[Seagullcity in reply to LissacFrance]

Hi Cris, no, I currently have a Salamol inhaler (which doesn’t do much), carbocystine and 3% saline (which I nebulise). And the drops for my ears, which I hope will unblock soon. Thanks

[LissacFrance in reply to Seagullcity]

Can I ask who diagnosed the bronchiectasis? Was it a lung specialist or your GP. My wife has been taking Azithro 3x per week for the last 5-6 years, and has had very few other infections. She also has physio 3x per week. Do have a talk to someone who really understand Bronchiectasis, it is quite different to many of the other lung problems that people have. My wife was treated for asthma, COPD and can`t remember what else before she was eventually diagnosed with bronchiectasis and that only after a CT scan. Keep asking and take care, Chris.

[LissacFrance in reply to Seagullcity]

Can I ask who diagnosed the bronchiectasis? Was it a lung specialist or your GP. My wife has been taking Azithro 3x per week for the last 5-6 years, and has had very few other infections. She also has physio 3x per week. Do have a talk to someone who really understand Bronchiectasis, it is quite different to many of the other lung problems that people have. My wife was treated for asthma, COPD and can`t remember what else before she was eventually diagnosed with bronchiectasis and that only after a CT scan. Keep asking and take care, Chris.

[Seagullcity in reply to LissacFrance]

My bronchiectasis developed after covid and long covid and I was finally diagnosed by a respiratory consultant following 2 CT scans and a bronchoscopy.

[LissacFrance in reply to Seagullcity]

This Covid bloke has a lot to answer for. Have you asked about Azithromycin? It acts not only as an antibio but also anti-inflammatory. You never know it might be of help, Chris.

[Seagullcity in reply to LissacFrance]

Hi Cris, I haven’t asked about azithromycin as, since diagnosis, I’ve just had 1 chest infection that caused an exacerbation, which required my emergency doxycline. I guess if infections became more frequent, I certainly would look into this. But for now I’m aiming to stay as healthy as possible and not get reliant on antibiotics.

[LissacFrance in reply to Seagullcity]

Each to is/her choice. I don`t think after all this time my wife is reliant, on the contrary, she still aims to do 10,000 steps a day, as well as play table tennis, but is does protect against getting the infections in the first place. Carry on as you are, stay healthy and think +ve!

[LissacFrance]

See comments above.

[Goofer28]

Hi Seagullcity,

I have always found amoxicillin a waste of time. After being referred to a chest consultant @ the local hospital, he recommended that I should always insist on a course of doxycycline which seems to clear the infection eventually. Normal course is for at least 14 days to ensure the infection is under control. Hope this helps but do insist on the stronger antibiotic !

[Seagullcity in reply to Goofer28]

Thanks Goofer28, I have a 2 week stash of doxy as my emergency pack for bronciectasis flare ups. The doctor prescribed the amoxicillin for my ear infection before they knew what the infective agent was, and it was not helpful. But I’m inclined to agree that, for me as well, it’s a bit of a waste of time in general.