Changed my consultant

[Warrior4104]

From a few days I am experiencing bronch exacerbation with increased sputum which is dark. This time I decided to go to a different doctor who is also a bronch specialist. He told that I will have to have azithromycin long term; 6-8 months per year.

The next thing he did is to change my inhaler from advair hfa to fostair

Prescribed me 2 antibiotics: Cipro for pseudomonas and Linezolid for Staph Aureus

Other medicines were the same i.e prednisone, montelukast, desloratadine etc I’ve been taking them on and off

I am concerned for azithromycin long term. Doesn’t it damage ur kidneys or liver or have any of its adverse effects ? I am 18

[helenlw7]

I have bronchiecstasis and have been taking azithromycin for 6-7 years. In my first year my consultant said to stop it between May and September because ‘people don’t get chest infections in the summer!’ In June I got the worst chest infection I’ve had, almost hospitalised. I now take it all year.

[sassy59]

Pete takes Azithromycin three times a week all year round. He does well on it and has taken it for years. Might be worth a try. X

[peege]

Bravo on getting a bronch specialis, perfect. I take 250mgs Mon Wed & Fri, November to April with no ill effects. Now you have a good specialist you should have the secretary's number & email so any queries you can address to her to ask the con.

[Hidden]

Hi, I'm glad that you have been proactive as regards your consultant. All sounds good. Many people take azith long term with no problems. I took it for 5 years continuously until it stopped working for me. No kidney problems at all. Try to relax and leave it to your new bronch expert. It sounds as though they know what they are talking about.

[Warrior4104 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou Littlepom. This doc was quite confident on himself and clearly rejected the prescription provided by previous one saying that it is insufficient to manage bronch. He explained me a lot of things, reviewed my inhaler technique, and listened carefully to my concerns. I’m glad I found a true bronch specialist.

[Hidden in reply to Warrior4104]

Well done. And bravo for listening to the advice about the need for a true bronch specialist that our bronch friends on the forum have given you.

[Patk1]

Lots of us are on azithromycin permanently with little to no side effects.it has anti inflammatory effect and is prophylactic,against bacterial.fostair has much smaller particles - more easily absorbed by lungs.do use the aerochamber spacer with it,inhale as deep as u can and rinse mouth after.hope yr infection soon settles.if yr not right after 2wks talk to dr about extending yr antibiotic course - I've had to many times.ru doing dedicated lung clearance sessions? It's so important to get it up.get well soon x

[Warrior4104 in reply to Patk1]

yes I do it 3-4 times a day. Thanks for your advise

[Karenanne61]

Another constant Azithromycin user here. I did have blood tests initially to check liver and kidney function but all seems ok.

[Alberta56]

I've been on Azith for 3 and a bit years. So far so good.