Azithromycin no more.

[TamBell]

Hi All, my Respiratory Consultant only recommended a 3 month course of prophylactic Azithromycin, which I complete this week. I admit I am anxious, (and considering becoming a hermit) - only joking! No, seriously, I had months of doxycycline for a nasty, unresponsive, flare-up previous to the Azithromycin, and fear another flare-up. I know anxiety about potential flare-ups is par for the course with bronch. but I wondered if anyone has been prescribed a longer course of prophylactic antibiotics, or if 3 months is standard.

Gill

[Sandy-]

Hi Gill

I’ve been taking prophylactic Azithromycin for at least 5 years. I have bronchiectasis and asthma, and have had bronchiectasis since birth (a footling and put in an oxyge tent), also whooping cough aged 6 months. I suppose we are all different and I’m now 65. I did ask my respiratory consultant to try without it a couple of times but he wasn’t keen, however last summer he said I could have a break from taking Azithromycin for about 4 months. He stressed that if I had any infection that I must immediately send in a sputum sample and take antibiotics. Unfortunately I had a bad infection after 3 months and have continued since. I find they keep my infections down. My sister has COPD and bronchiectasis and could not tolerate Azithromycin and has been given Doxycycline as a prophylactic. Best wishes and hope you keep well.

Sandy x

[TamBell in reply to Sandy-]

Hi Sandy, five years, that must have given you a good break from flare-ups, and probably shows that the use of prophylactic abx is, indeed, therapeutic.

Well I've got my fingers crossed, and am avoiding people with any sign of a respiratory infection.

To have a period with no Antibiotics and no infections either would be great. I've been told that my lungs are colonized (my little lodgers think they have a long-term lease) with heamophylis influenzae, so I've got a funny feeling that once the abx stop, they will have a party and cause havoc, then I will need to get the police (antibiotics ) back in to sort them out.

But, time will tell and every day i am abx free and infection free will be a bonus. Thanks for your reply, stay well.

Gill

[Keep-positive]

Sorry you taking the Azithromycin for 3 months has not helped you Tam.

Like Sandy- I have had bronchiectasis since I was a baby & asthma , after 56yrs my old lungs have been through the wars. I tried the Mon, Wed & Friday on Azithromycin but sadly didnt help me either. I've now been put on constant antibiotics- a month of doxycycline then month of ciprofloxacin then month on Amoxicillin then repeated. I do feel it has helped me from having as many infections but I really hate taking so many antibiotics and the nausea with being on them ( and that's with antisickness tablets )

Really hope u find something that will hemp you.

Do u live in the UK like myself ? I've often wondered if living in a warmer country in our winter months would help.

Wishing you the best of luck x