Discussions
Discussions
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- I am an older woman with a lifelong history of respiratory allergies with frequently recurring dry cough, and a tendency for colds to develop into bronchitis. I also have Crohns colitis, which spreads occasionally to my upper GI, and have been in remission on an immunosuppressive for about 20 years. Last winter I had a month long bout with bronchitis and possibly pneumonia. My pneumonologist, who works at a large respiratory center in a top hospital, said at that point that I might have MAI but not badly enough to warrant treatment. Coughing and colds continued for a year and here I am again with bad bronchitis and a strong wish not to deal with pneumonia again. Based on Xrays, she now thinks bronchiectasis and prescribed prednisone and levaquin. After checking out the levaquin I called her nurse and asked for something else, no response yet. (It seems to me that the incidence of bad side effects may be low but the seriousness of the side effects brings the drug risk up considerably.) With a long history of IBD, I can see where this is going. I have three questions for this group of people much more experienced than I am: what tests should I be having to determine what exactly is going on, so I can be proactive, and what antibiotic do you take instead of levaquin? And are there any other Cronies in the group? Thanks for being here.
Replies
So sorry for all your going thru. You sound like my life history. Asthma chronic bronchitis then overlapped to copd then on to bronchiectas and moderate PH. Now a upper Gi dr tells me I have signs of Barret' Esopagus. What next seems things just keep showing up. I also when in trouble with my lungs get leviquin and the drs just seem do not listen. A couple years ago my pulmo started 3 days of zpak a week because of bronchiectasis. It works pretty good keeps the infection in order and helps inflammation. .Been doing pretty good with that besides all the neb treatments I have to do. I had bronchoscoopy last year and they found nothing in my lungs to worry about. I hope you find help and the answers to help you.
Kandy,
I agree w your comment- what’s next?...
Unfortunately, meds can help one body system but hurt another. We have to be really good to our GI and GU tracts to avoid complications from years of antibiotics. Hence, posting relevant information on these subject areas may help prevent current patients from going through issues that older patients are experiencing. We did not have access to such great information 18 years ago
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