What antibiotics now for Bronchiectasis

[shouty]

So after numerous flare ups & usually being Ok with Co-Amoxiclav as rescue antibiotics got a problem. The last batch I started gave me awful diarrhoea so had to stop them. Now feeling rough again& hoping to see GP but not sure what they can suggest. Not due to see Hosp Consultant till October. On top of the deaths of my best friend then my nephew now facing redundancy at work this year has been awful. Thanks for letting me vent on here

[Pentreath Volunteer]

Hi Shouty - you are certainly coping with a great deal at the moment. I had a similar experience to you with antibiotics. Had amoxicillin in my rescue pack for years with no problem. Last time I took them I had lots of nasty side effects. In total took three different antibiotics before the last one did the trick and no side effects.

[shouty in reply to Pentreath]

Thank you for that. Wondering whether it's the different brands/make they use. I get Haemophilis bug so hoping something else with work. Hope you are keeping well at the moment

[Pentreath Volunteer in reply to shouty]

Just feeling more like myself after two months of ‘existing’. Onwards and upwards!

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Pentreath]

Hi Pentreath, I thought I hadn't seen you lately. I'm sorry to know things haven't been great for you but glad to know you're doing better now. Wishing you well.

And Shouty I hope things start to improve for you. I'm very sorry about your friend 💐

[Alice70 in reply to shouty]

Hi shouty I get the heamophillis bug ,my rescue pack is doxycycline needed to be taken for two weeks ,I also have mild bronchiecstasis, I am also taking 250 azithromycin three times a week to stop infections they work quite well

[shouty in reply to Alice70]

Thank you on Doxy already but lots of folk on Azithromycin I see too

[B0xermad in reply to shouty]

4 years on azithromycin 3 days a week 2 infections serious enough for hospital admission in last 4yrs not bad going

[B0xermad in reply to Alice70]

Definitely the way to go , I also do this azithromycin, doxy or amoxicillin works for me plus clearance every morning

[pete511dog in reply to Pentreath]

HI Pentreath had the same with amoicillin used for years then in 2017 had a Anaphyllactic shock now have doxyeycline in my rescue pack

[Pentreath Volunteer in reply to pete511dog]

Hi Pete - sorry to hear that you had that experience but interesting that we both developed a bad reaction. Maybe because of the length of time something has been taken? I was given doxy first and was still unwell so then Cefalexin and now have it my rescue pack.

[Hidden]

Your GP needs to send off some of your sputum to test if another bug has taken up residence. I would also suggest that you get hold of your consultant’s secretary and explain the situation. You need effective treatment before October. I’m afraid that GPs are hopeless with bronch and this is when you need the expertise of the consultant.

[shouty in reply to Hidden]

Thank you will try and ring Consultant secretary. Given Clarithromycin to try in the meantime and have sputum pot at the ready

[Hidden in reply to shouty]

Good for you. Taking control!

[Hidden]

They could offer you 14 days of Amoxycillin, Doxycycline is also frequently used. Again two weeks supply. If you give a sputum sample, they can send it for tesing and find a suitable antibiotic for you. Could you ring your consultants secretary and ask for an earlier appointment? Explain your situation and I'm sure they will help you. Oh, I see Little Pom has already suggested this.

[shouty in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Ergendl]

So sorry to hear about all you're going through. Hope things start to improve soon.

[Trishe]

Hi, I have bronchiectasis, and emphysema caused by a genetic condition, I have been taking Azithromycin 250mg capsules 3 times a week, for over 21/2 years, whereas I was getting 5 or more infections a year, I've had one in all that time, they can cause a bit of diarhrrea, but a small price to pay, I take the at night as opposed to 2 hours before food in the morning. Ask your GP if you can have them, and give them a go, they may take a few weeks to kick in.

[Patchpoppy2]

Hi Shouty, firstly sorry about your bad news lately. I am on amoxicillin as a rescue antibiotic, and I take azthromycin 3 times a week, I do find these help, certainly less infections. Have you got a flutter valve, this is very good for clearing the chest also. I have asthma and bronchiectasis. Hope things start to look up.

[Mooka]

Hi I had the same problem with co-amoxiclav. In my case I think they didn’t mix with the iv immunoglobulin I had just started. Have you changed any of your other meds? I changed to cipro as I had some at home. Turned out it was the best decision as I have the dreaded pseudomonas. I’m so sorry to hear about what you are going through at the same time. Difficult enough when you are well. I hope you get the right antibiotics soon. Best wishes.

[Response]

The British Thoracic Society guidelines for Bronchiectasis in adults ((pdf found on google) give interesting advice about antibiotics (dependent of infection etc) but as I'm not a doctor I won't comment on that. But perhaps having to take so many antibiotics has had an impact on your gut bacteria so it might be worth a try eating more sour dough bread and/or greek yogurt to help your stomach. My mum (who I feed these things to) recently needed Co-Amoxiclav for a Bronc exacerbation and although her pooh (sorry) was affected a little as is expected with antibiotics, it was minor. Other times when I hadn't fed her these things it was much looser. (sorry again for graphic explanation)

[shouty in reply to Response]

Thank you for that

[shouty]

Thank you everyone for all your kind replies. Makes you feel less alone when the support on this site is so lovely 😊

[santisuk]

The first line recommended treatment for haemophilus influenzae (if beta lactamase positive) is amoxicillin-clavulanic acid 625 - one tablet 3 times er day for 14 days. Amoxicillin-clavulanic is what you have been taking if taking the brand "Co-Amoxiclav".

Second line recommended treatment, if first line treatment fails or gives side effects, is

Doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 14 days

or

Ciprofloxacin 500 mg or 750 mg twice daily for 14 days

or

Ceftriaxone 2g once daily (intravenously) for 14 days

Source: British Thoracic Society Guidelines for Bronchiectasis in Adults (page 39)

[shouty in reply to santisuk]

Thank you already on Prophylactic Doxy 3 times a week

[santisuk]

But you need to be on it with the recommended dosages when and if you get a specific exacerbation of that nature. Prophylactic doses are there for background protection and when the protection is breached you should be taking full dose.

You should of course discuss with a doctor or preferably a specialist if having problems with a spevific drug

[shouty in reply to santisuk]

Seeing Consultant soon & he is Bronchiectasis specialist thanks for your reply