monthly anti biotics

[amagran]

My husband , over the last 16 months, has had 16 courses of anti biotics. The longest he has gone after finishing the course is 4 weeks. Is this a normal progression of ipf or is it because he also has emphysema. I can always tell when he is going to need them even though he insists he's fine, then he drops suddenly and has to admit that hes poorly. I don't want to be always nagging him but I have be vigilant. the dr and hospital are aware of the monthly cycle but they haven't said whether its normal or not.

[Hidden]

Hi amagran,

I don't know about ipf, but i would ask you the following - has it been the same anti bio each time - in which case it obviously needs changing as it is not doing the job. Following on from that - have they taken sputum tests from him so as to identify precisely what it is that is causing the problem? Ideally having identified it they can then use the most appropriate treatment, and do a follow up sputum test later to see if it has been fully eradicated.

I have heard of folk sometimes needing to be put on maintenance doses of Azithromyacin, perhaps something like that would be necessary. Forgive me if you have already done all this, it is the only thing i could think of. Wish i knew more about ipf so i could help you better. Best wishes to you both, Parvati.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I am on azithromycin and it's something you might discuss with your doctor or consultant. It's not for everyone but it's made a huge difference to me I feel. I've been on it since February and had one infection since then and I am on immunosuppressants so I am in danger of catching every sniffle in the office.

It also sounds like they aren't clearing up the infection - a longer course of a different antibiotic maybe?

Good luck

Marie

[copdliving]

Sounds like you need to be taking something like NAC or Mucinex to loosen that mucus before it causes an infection. I use an herb that seems to work too. It's called Mullein and comes in either a tea or a tincture. Keeping the lungs clear is the best way to prevent the infections. I haven't had an infection in 3 years now and my FEV is only 21%. I just hope I haven't jinxed myself by saying this. Just trying to help.

[Hidden in reply to copdliving]

Hi copdliving - me too, a herb mix with mullein in it, I knwo if I have forgotten to take it !

[copdliving]

Sounds like he needs to be taking something like NAC or Mucinex to loosen that mucus before it causes an infection. I use an herb that seems to work too. It's called Mullein and comes in either a tea or a tincture. Keeping the lungs clear is the best way to prevent the infections. I haven't had an infection in 3 years now and my FEV is only 21%. I just hope I haven't jinxed myself by saying this. Just trying to help.

[rattles]

I take a daily maintenance dose of Clarithromycin and use NAC nebs to keep the mucus moving both have worked wonders for me so i urge you to speak to your consultant or indeed consider changing consultants having been left to struggle for 16 months. As a bare minimum sputum samples should be collected and analised to check you are being prescribed the right antibiotic for each and every infection. Is there a specialist center (hospital) that deals with IPF like the Royal Brompton for example that you could ask to be referred to? Best of luck to you.

[Hidden]

Hi, I had a long period having clarithromycin and steroids which I hate, eventually I got my doc to refer me back to my consultant that was about 18 months ago he put me on Azithromycin Mon, Wed and Fri each week and I have only had one bad infection which cleared quite quickly. I do although still cough up green sputum and always have I am going to try the Mullein, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I don't know about ipf.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I nebulise each morning with 5ml of salbutamol. It loosens everything up and I find I rarely cough anything up after my initial few coughs after nebulising. I do wonder if this is psychological though!

[Hidden]

Hi amagran - have messaged you (check message box at top of page) P.

[Hidden]

Hi, My husband found that he needs a course of steroids as well as antibiotics. And as other people have said changed antibiotics. I would question the doctors and just ask their advise. TAD xx

[amagran]

thanks all for your suggestions, will def try the mullein, am a great believer in natural remedies, He is usually given doxycycline, but last month he gave him eruthrimicen ( whatever lol ). thanks for the message parvati, I didnt even know that message box was there till today, i will check out the site.