Diagnosed about seven years ago with Bronchiectasis after asking to be referred to hospital as sick of just being fobbed off with antibiotics by the doctor. 5 lots at the last visit. CT scan showed bronchiectasis caused by childhood Bronchitis. Kept emergency pack at home but recently different bugs in phlegm so have had to have different antibiotics. Am allergic to Penicillin. Last year had 3 or 4 infections in 4 months so hospital have given me Azithromycin to take alternate days 3 times a week. Have taken twice and have really bad back pain between shoulder blades. Felt a little unsteady the other day was told about side effects of liver and deafness,. Anyone else had any problems. Want to stop taking but frightened.
Hi mo. Trouble is with bronchiectasis is there are limited options. You have to clear the rubbish off your chest by physio or using something to help like a flutter. And if you are infected then antibiotics are the way. Some specialists think that taking azythromycin three times a week helps keep inflammation down and prevents you getting too many infections.
However this treatment doesn't suit everyone. I got appalling stomach problems so it was decided to discontinue it. I have tried other things too that didn't work.
Don't be afraid. If you haven't taken many tablets its unlikely your hearing has been permanently damaged. Go and talk to your doctor and ask advice. Lots of people have taken this treatment with good effect - its just that I am allergic to tons of drugs.
Keep smiling. I've had this thing for over 60 years. Don't let it get you.
I am quite prepared to try this medication. I also know the list is never ending on all medication. You could frighten yourself. But it was the fact that the Bronchiectasis specialist nurse who gave me these warned me that they could possible affect my liver and I would need regular (6 weekly ) checks on my blood and that it could quite possibly affect my hearing. I take it three consequtive days have only taken two so far but the pain in my back is worrying me.
Hi I am like you seem to be affected by lots of drugs. Tummy problems etc. It is the devil you know or the devil you don't isn't it
I have bronchiectasis for over 60 years and it's a difficult one to treat, Physio is the way to go to keep the sputum from building up in the lungs, antibiotics are a problem and finding one that suits the bug as well as your gut is hard, I find what ever one I,m given it causes tummy upsets, indigestion,blurred vision, ear problems and the list goes on, I always take them on a full stomach and drink yougurt drinks to help with tummy upsets and indigestion. I hope this helps mo, e problem is there are so many bugs it's hard keeping up with them.
Hi there. I have copd and bronchiectasis. Used to be on oxygen 24/7 and frequent infections and hospital visits. Was given Azithromycin 5 years ago and soon had a normal life and no need for o2 therapy after been given Azithromycin 500 mgs, 3 times per week. No side effects what so ever. Only side effect is that I need to look for work now. Exercise very important with this illness to.Other meds for copd include Tiotropium seretide 500 mg. Ventolin not much good.
Hope this may help you a little. Your back probs could be intergeston or lack of exercise. Yours John
I have had pain in the area you describe mo. I also get severe stabbing pains in my side sometimes and crampish feelings in the bottom of my ribcage. I have mentioned them to a Professor at the Brompton who is a bronchiectasis specialist (wish I could see him every time I go!). He told me lots of bronchiectasis patients get pain in the area of their chest and there is no known cause. Very helpful I don't think. But I have stopped worrying at least.
This I feel is. Quite a miserable. Condition diagnosed 7 ears ago never smoked Found air conditioning flares the complaint up been on several antibiotics have now pains in the shoulder blades like yourself , this year my worst year had test for TB clear my voice has changed. This year has gone very high I am taking Manuka honey . the cough has been Cronic this year , now on steroid tablets for 1 week the cough has eased up have stopped danceing. And look ok on the outside but the inside is wearing out , this condition is also miserable for your partners they Don't know a cure , keep doing your mucus test to get the right antibiotics I wish you to be better in the future.
It is miserable I agree and I ve had it all my life almost. There's more help now than there than there once was. Its natural to get down now and then. My motto is to enjoy the good days as much as you can. Keep up with your treatment and get some resr. And ignore it whenever you can!!
I would love to exercise but unfortunately "Arthur Itis" as I like to call it has now made that an impossible task so this doesn't help. Will give these a try and hope I can take them.
I hate that I cannot wear perfume or use any kind of spray polish or air fresheners. My hubby has to use his anti perspirant out of the way of me. The damp weather or wind stops me venturing out too much too. Hate the restrictions this brings Like you say people say you are looking well and I reply you should see the inside!!
Hello Operalym, what kind of stomach pbs?i've been taking zythromax since sep 3 times/week but now i moved ito apo-azythromicin since i cant find zythromax, but since then i feel like my stomach is bloating so much every day and my stool is soft, but the bloating is so annoying i am not sure if it's related to the antibio
thanks
I used to get agonising stomach cramps and diahorrhea. The pain used to double me over. This was when I took it three times a week. I was usually ok by the third day but it would start again the next week. In the end it was decided that the side effects were too miserable for me to carry on. Antibiotics can upset your gut. Some people find live yoghurt helps but I am allergic to dairy products.
Hi Mo. Sorry for late reply. Good luck with your Azithromycin. Take care. Lots John
I too have stabbing pain in the upper part of chest and was told it is plurecy along with the bronchiectisis. The plurecy doesn't always flair up but when it does it's not easy taking a breath. Whew!
I am consistently getting reports from my sputum samples that there is E.Coli and Strep pneumoniae present on looking into this the E.coli is almost impossible to get rid of is this true
Mo there are lots of so-called impossible to get rid of bugs. Ask your doctor - and don't believe everything you hear. I have got permanent pseudomonas these days but I can still live a pretty normal life.
Don't worry - ask!
wat exactly are pseudomonas??
They're bacteria Mo. Bacteria cause infections and this is one strain that loves bronchiectasis patients. Bit tricky to get rid of - lots of antibiotics aren't much use against it.
I phoned the specialist nurse at the hospital yesterday and told him I did not feel good since taking the Azythromycin Twice (I have only been taking it for just over a week) I have had pain in the middle of my shoulder blades that has taken the wind out of my sails so to speak. Also a constant nagging pain around my back and middle cannot find a resting place.He doesn't think it is anutything to do with the medication but has told me to stop for a week and see if I notice any difference it not go back on it. Today I feel a million dollars have more life in me than I have for a couple of weeks. Will wait and see what happens but not happy taking that medication.