Antibiotics update

[Janann25]

First of all, thank you all so much for you advice and best wishes. I’ve now finished my course of Doxycycline and feel much better. I have the occasional cough but my chest is clear and my breathing has almost recovered. BUT, I really hope I don’t need that particular antibiotic again because they made me feel almost as ill as the original infection. I’ve been very fortunate not having had a chest infection since my COPD diagnosis 4 years ago and before then I rarely needed antibiotics and, if I did, amoxicillin always did the trick!! So, this latest infection has been a steep learning curve.

[B0xermad]

I can sympathise with you on the use of doxycycline or as I call it the toilet friendly drug lol,after 2 courses of amoxicillin and 1 co amoxiclav with prednisolone the doctors wanted me to take doxycycline but I'm not great with it,although co amoxiclav is not much better, I also take azithromycin all year round but this winter it's been a bit hard to shake off the infections.

[Chip_y2kuk]

Doxycycline is my favourite antibiotic... im allergic to penicillin and clarithromycin makes me sooo sleepy

So I just have to avoid the sun

I'm unlucky enough to get alot of chest infections

[Gma61]

Hi if you eat a biscuit or something when younyake them, I find I'm.not feeling sick, sick or unwell. I've had these for a few years and without eating something at the same time as you say feel worse. Hope this helps for next time you have doxy.

[Janann25 in reply to Gma61]

thank you for your reply. I made sure I took them with my evening meal - no dairy before, during or after - but I still felt very unwell 🤒. I will just have to be extra careful from now on and try to stay away from places where I’m likely to pick up an infection. I just find it hard to have to restrict my activities in order to stay clear of an infection. At 82 years - and generally in good health otherwise 🤞 - I have to weigh up the risks against wasting whatever years I have left.

[Gma61 in reply to Janann25]

Ah I am sorry, I always take mine in the morning. Sometimes we have to do what we do and feel safe but don't lose out too x

[MoyB]

So pleased you're feeling so much better. Long may it continue.

We're all so different with drug tolerance, aren't we? I take doxycycline throughout the winter - November to April - with no side effects at all. I do have to watch out for the sun towards the end of the course as, although I was well covered up one sunny April day, I hadn't thought about the backs of my hands and they got a bit burnt and sore for a few days. I was at an outdoor event all day. Just forgot to reaply sun cream after using the loo.

Anyway, great news that you're a lot better in time for Christmas. Hope you have a good one.

Xx Moy

[Izb1]

So good to hear you are feeling better now and on the mend. You now need to get your gut right as antibiotics kill of the friendly bacteria as well, propbiotics should do it or drink some kefir. You will be able to enjoy christmas now x

[peege in reply to Izb1]

Hi, I just read an article from Zoe on pre & probiotic foods. Very interesting pre is basically fibre and here's a list of probiotic foods:

Mushrooms, onions, garlic, asparagus, savoy cabbage, cocoa powder, oats, flaxseed, leeks, cashews, almonds, chicory root, Jerusalem artichokes, barley, apples, burdock root (whatever that is) !

I'm so pleased as I have oats, almonds & ground flaxseed daily for breakfast, I eat mushrooms, onions, garlic regularly and shall now use more barley, leeks, & savoy cabbage in soups. That old saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away now rings true!

If anyone interested Zoe was started by Dr Tim Spector of UCL at the beginning of covid and now does very very good articles & podcasts on health & healthy living. Podcasts are available on Spotify, Apple as well as written , I use Spotify or written.

So glad you're feeling better Janann25 😃

[Izb1 in reply to peege]

Thats really good information Peege, so keep up with the apples, I used to eat one a day then got sick of them so need to get them going again. I eat most of the things on your list so must doing ok to keep my gut in top health. The problem is it takes too long to build up the amount that you need for a healthy gut after antibiotics which is why I take probiotics straight away to get that working again. I found that if I didnt the infection came straight back or I picked up another one too quickly . I also take a really good multi vit after illness x

[peege in reply to Izb1]

You're not alone, I also take them daily November to April/May to support immunity and to counteract any effects of the 3 x weekly winter Azith.

[Janann25 in reply to Izb1]

Thank you for reminding me about the probiotics. Like peege, I’ve been a contributor to the Zoe App since Tim Spector started it at the beginning of Covid. It’s very helpful and informative - which reminds me, I haven’t updated my own health for a couple of days 😲

[watergazer]

Glad you’re feeling much better. Doxycycline can make you feel rough and nauseous. I’m usually ok on it but once I had to stop as I was feeling sick all the time. Take care x

[Bevvy]

Yes the first time I took doxycycline my gp warned me it would make me feel unwell but it should knock infection on its head! Glad to hear you are feeling much better. Try to give yourself some time to recover from such a nasty infection. It usually takes me time to feel better even once the original infection has gone.

[Badbessie]

Sadly I have found that Doxycycline is the only antibiotic that works for me. After three courses of amoxicillin for repeated infections it was the only antibiotic that finally cleared my chest. However I must agree it's not the easiest medication to take.

[Mavary]

I thought I was the only one Doxycycline upsets. The other one is Pivmicillinum. I thought I was going to have to call an ambulance when I was taking that. I tried it twice and it gave me awful pain in my chest and stomach. I’ve now told them to never ever give me it again. It was awful.

[Alberta56]

Glad you're feeling better. xxx

[Grayjay]

I am allergic to Doxycycline, it's dodgy stuff but can take any other with no probs. The best one for me is Co Amoxiclav.

[Oshgosh]

doxycycline are better taken with a meal.

The best thing I can say is that they do clear the infection,thank goodness

[Janann25]

Well that’s the most important thing isn’t it!!

[Verbena_67]

To think all the ppl that died of covid unnecessarily when they said nothing would work!!! It's a real shame! Devils!