My mam has stable nsclc 3a & copd however the last 2 weeks she has had a virus which has caused her to have a nasty cough and has required steriods & aniboitics doxcixline i think thats the name. She does not seem to be getting any better? Shes on a nebuluser too & uses this aroubd 4x times daily
Any tips or suggestions please ???
suggest she returns to her doctor for different antibiotics if doxycycline not working - many respiratory tract/chest infections are resistant and need different strength antibiotics to work. in the meantime, drink plenty of warm/hot drinks to soothe the throat/chest area and keep the area lubricated. I regularly have severe chest infections (that have had me hospitalised for a week last Xmas and 14 nights in May) since having a half my left lung removed for nscls some years ago. It's hard not to think that it might be the original problem worsening or recurring but steroids actually suppress the immune system which means susceptibility to infection increases so they're not quite the wonder drug medics seem to think they are. Her doctor may also want to increase the dosage (I was on 12 x 5mg a day in May although usual prescription for me when these things happen is 7-8 a day). she may get more sleep by sitting up although the steroids/nebuliser will be interfering with her sleep pattern as well as the cough disturbances. hope she recovers from the infection soon but would ask the doctor for a change of medication.
Thanks janette
My mum had Gp out on friday however he was happy with her observations bp , sats ect. He advised its a viral infection and more antibiotics wont resolve this.
My mum keeps going red in the face and requires a fan to cool her off. Normally my mum is a carer for my dad but ive told her to slow down which she has. Its a struggle for her even going to the loo currently and she is make up free ( unlike her)
Shes no better but no worse i gather this will take some weeks to resolve ?
That's something I suppose. Yes, I always go very hot when I have a chest infection - either temperature or the effort of coughing. A fan is useful anyway to anyone when they have breathing difficulties whether on a stand by the bed or a hand held one - they have proven benefits. Worry not about the make-up - there are more important things when you're struggling for breath as I found this year when hospitalised for 14 nights (and couldn't wash my hair as no hairdryer yet am used to washing it at least once a day!) Can you get any respite care for your dad given how ill your mum sounds? Yes, can take weeks for the infection to clear but weeks to recover stamina so she needs to rest and not overdo it. I could hardly gather the breath to get to the loo in the hospital (yet normally I work/travel nationwide and internationally and swim regularly) so it's very disheartening when you're used to being relatively active to be so floored by a chest infection. However, better to take the meds, have some rest and try and recover. good luck x
Hi Hope,
I am so sorry to hear that your mum has been unwell but good to hear that the GP has carried out a thorough assessment. Janette has suggested respite for your dad, I wonder if you could ask your social services department if they could carry out a carers assessment for your mum as it sounds as if she might need some help.I am not sure what benefits, if any, your mum and dad receive but it might also be an idea to ask for a welfare rights officer to do an assessment to ensure that they are getting any benefits they are entitled to.
kind regards,
All the team at the RoyCastle Helpline.
Hi thanks for the replies. Actually my dad has picked up since mam being poorly , my dad is recovering from a cancer op and dont need any restbite services as dad just a littleweak currently. All of our family has chipped in making food , ironing , hoovering ect. Mam has been in the shower today .. she said it was a struggle but she done it. ❤❤❤
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