Long term antibiotics??

[yaf_user681_15459]

Hi,

I was wondering if any of you guys are on long term antibiotics with regards to your asthma/recurrent chest infections??

My daughter is 4, is on a multitude of inhalers/meds, saline nebs, physio and has also been on maintenance pred for the last 20months. She still has regular infections. She had double pneumonia in Dec and was very poorly, requiring IV's and oxygen. She has just finished another course of azithromycin for yet another chest infection.

She regularly complains of pain in her chest and lower ribs. I'm just wondering if long term antibiotics are the way to go?? We tried them a couple of yrs ago and it gave her an upset tum but we now use diff antibiotics (with no side effects) for the usual courses so wondering if we should be trying those as a long term lower dose alternative??

Does anyone else take them and are they helpful??

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I am on long term abxs due to a messed up immmune system with pred/chemo making things worse. I do get an upset tum with them and also need to use different stronger ones to treat extra infections.

No harm in asking gp/cons what they think of the idea.

I hope things improve for you soon.

Rose xx

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I had a lung doctor ask me about this once because I am on immunosuppresant meds as well. I know a little bit about it, as I used to work with kids/teens born with perinatally aquired HIV.

If their white cells were bellow a certain level, they would have to take an antibiotic (very low dose) usually 3 times a week to prevent certain infections.

So one thing that's good to know if taking preventive (prophylactic) antibiotics are usually much lower dose than what you would take for an infection. Also, if your cons isn't open to it, or up to speed on it, if it were me I would see a pediatric infectious disease doctor, as that is their specialty.

Bee

[Hidden]

Hi,

I was wondering if any of you guys are on long term antibiotics with regards to your asthma/recurrent chest infections??

I'm just wondering if long term antibiotics are the way to go?? We tried them a couple of yrs ago and it gave her an upset tum but we now use diff antibiotics (with no side effects) for the usual courses so wondering if we should be trying those as a long term lower dose alternative??

Does anyone else take them and are they helpful??

I take long term daily antibiotics (amoxycillin 500mg twice daily) and long term azithromycin (250mg three times a week). Whilst they have reduced my number of infections, I do still get regular infection (have had six weeks of IV antibiotics in last three months!).

So for me, they have made a huge difference, but havent stopped infection completely.

Lynda

[yaf_user681_15459]

Thank you all for your views. Maddie has had low dose long term antibiotics in the past (about 2yrs ago) but I was unhappy then with her taking them. She had an upset tum and was generally grumpy on them. I was also concerned of the damage to her immunity. But I'm wondering now if now is the time we should be giving it another whirl. These constant infections and pain is not fair on her :-(( Her consultants (she has 3 as has adrenal insufficiency too) are amazing and very up to date so I think I will be brave and accept this may be the route to take.

Thanks again xx