finished antibiotics but no better.

tkachev · 1. Feb 2011, 04:49

Well I have finished my course of antibiotics and was told as soon as I finished the 7 day course I could go straight back onto my Humira and MTX. However I still feel like I have the chest infection and the symptoms are the same plus I keep getting shooting pains in my back.
So should I go back to GP to get her advice, more antibiotics or go back on the MTX/humira combination.My knees are killing me and aren't bending, making stairs, sleeping and getting up from chairs difficult.

Any advice would be appreciated. Anyone had a similar experience where the anti biotics don't seem to have worked?

Elizabeth

Colin1 · 1. Feb 2011, 05:11

You should phone the Rheumy secretary and ask to see her ASAP and get her to sort it out, I was on the same meds as you and it took me months to get better then i got the infection back as soon as i started back on the humira.
Colin

dreamdaisy · 1. Feb 2011, 05:13

If the symptoms are still there then the anti-biotics have not done their stuff and another course may be required. Go to the GP, pronto. DD

tkachev · 1. Feb 2011, 06:13

Thank you Colin and DD I feel so much better knowing I am not the only one. GP sounded so certain it would be okay after 7 days and there was no mention of if it doesn't get better come back. I will phone my Rheummy now too.

Cheers
Elizabeth

tjt6768 · 1. Feb 2011, 06:22

Hi Elizabeth, hope you get things sorted soon hun...

Get yourself better..

julie47 · 1. Feb 2011, 06:26

Hi Elizabeth
I would go back to gp if you can
Hope you feel better soon
Take care
juliepf x

elnafinn · 1. Feb 2011, 06:43

Dear Elizabeth

I am so sorry that you still do not feel at all well. I would go back to your gp. You have had this cough/cold etc for so long that you more than likely need a second script for antibiotics to knock it on its head. Unfortunately this is not unusual. I would try to not leave it too long.
I so hope you begin to feel better soon.

Love
Elna x(())

barbara12 · 1. Feb 2011, 07:55

Hi Elizabeth
Sorry I cant help, apart from saying if I were you I would go back, especially has you are suffering being off your meds.
I hope you see some improvement very soon.
Love
Barbara x

frogmorton · 1. Feb 2011, 08:35

Oh Elizabeth

Poor you.

I hope someome can advise you properly today. Me? I would be back at the docs - I am cautious.

Love

Toni xx

tkachev · 1. Feb 2011, 09:31

Back to GP Friday. So that is another 3 days of increasing arthritis pain.Plus the time I take the anti biotics. Still reading Colin's post it is important to get this sorted.
Thank you Elna, Tony, Toni, Barbara and Julie for taking the time to reply, this is dragging on wish I could post back on meds.

Elizabeth

dreamdaisy · 1. Feb 2011, 09:37

You could start them again but I think that would be self-defeating: a weakened immune system will only lead to prolonged infection, and possibly a worsening of the whole thing. If the anti-biotics have not knocked it on the head in one week then the infection is a strong 'un and will take some fighting. It is a shame you could not see the GP earlier - our surgery will only book people in on the day, the idea of booking in advance has 'em rolling in the aisles. The very idea that they should provide a service, honestly, what are us patients like? DD

tkachev · 1. Feb 2011, 13:03

DD you make me laugh. I am lucky that it is relatively easy to get an appointment, no long phone queue or book on the day. But still a long wait when you just want to get on with things.I shall just put my feet up as much as possible.Don't think I shall risk the meds just yet.

Cheers for now, hope you are managing okay too.

Elizabeth

dreamdaisy · 1. Feb 2011, 13:34

Personally I think that is the right decision - yes it's a pain (literally) but a few extra days now could save you weeks of it later, to my way of thinking. I wish you well, rest as much as you possibly can, perhaps (as you are off everything) you could take some zinc to boost your immune system, to help kill off the infection. DD

speedalong · 1. Feb 2011, 13:44

HI Elizabeth these bugs are proving VERY hard to shift. It is a pity the docs can't see you sooner ...

S's first course of antibiotics did nothing for him. I waited to see if he improved (then wished I hadn't) as once on a second much stronger course - he quickly started to improve.

Resting up as much as you can in the meantime sounds a good plan. Rest will help your body to fight off the bugs and your poor joints will be grateful too.

Speedy

ironic · 1. Feb 2011, 17:10

Hi Elizabeth,
I was sorry to hear things are dragging on for you. I hope the next lot of Ab’s do the trick this time. It is very difficult to get these chest infections sorted in one go, especially when there is such damp cold weather to contend with.

Take care,
Lv, Ix

chris7 · 1. Feb 2011, 17:59

Hi Elizabeth

So sorry to see you are still struggling there and will have to wait till Friday to see the doc. Do take care and rest when you can, though I doubt you can manage much of that with the children to see to. I leave some gentle hugs for you and hope you do feel better soon. ((( )))
love
Chris

julie47 · 2. Feb 2011, 04:40

Hi elizabeth
just popped in again to see how you were doing. Not so good still.....I am sorry. Poor you having to wait till friday to see a doc.
Infact thats terrible. We can ring in the morning to try for an appointment.
You do have to be sat at the phone dead on 8am and press redial for about 10 mins.
Hope you can rest during the day
take care
and will have my fingers crossed on friday
juliepf x

tkachev · 2. Feb 2011, 06:38

speedalong wrote:

HI Elizabeth these bugs are proving VERY hard to shift. It is a pity the docs can't see you sooner ...

S's first course of antibiotics did nothing for him. I waited to see if he improved (then wished I hadn't) as once on a second much stronger course - he quickly started to improve.

Resting up as much as you can in the meantime sounds a good plan. Rest will help your body to fight off the bugs and your poor joints will be grateful too.

Speedy

I should have started anti biotics sooner but waited for it to go on its own accord. I shall be wiser next time. So hopefully I will get a much stronger course this time.Glad S is better now.

E x

tkachev · 2. Feb 2011, 06:44

ironic wrote:

Hi Elizabeth,
I was sorry to hear things are dragging on for you. I hope the next lot of Ab’s do the trick this time. It is very difficult to get these chest infections sorted in one go, especially when there is such damp cold weather to contend with.

Take care,
Lv, Ix

Thanks Iris, I am reassured that it is a common problem and not just me! although my sympathy is with all those who have gone through similar. I can't wait for the warmer weather to arrive as had enough of this cold, damp weather.Jan and Feb are my least favourite months so I shall hibernate.

E x

tkachev · 2. Feb 2011, 06:49

dreamdaisy wrote:

Personally I think that is the right decision - yes it's a pain (literally) but a few extra days now could save you weeks of it later, to my way of thinking. I wish you well, rest as much as you possibly can, perhaps (as you are off everything) you could take some zinc to boost your immune system, to help kill off the infection. DD

I am on one sulfa in the morn and one in evening plus iron tabs. Not much is it really? Where would I get zinc? over the counter? I could ask GP or will she dismiss it I wonder?
I am currently walking backwards down the stairs as pain is less that way.Just hope the humira works when I start it again!

E x

tkachev · 2. Feb 2011, 06:54

chris7 wrote:

Hi Elizabeth

So sorry to see you are still struggling there and will have to wait till Friday to see the doc. Do take care and rest when you can, though I doubt you can manage much of that with the children to see to. I leave some gentle hugs for you and hope you do feel better soon. ((( )))
love
Chris

The GP is lovely so worth the wait.She listens.
Kids are having trying to be good but still lots of rushing after them. It seems to never end.OH is being a very good cook so nobody is starving.Thank you for the gentle hugs.Hope you are managing too.
E x

tkachev · 2. Feb 2011, 06:57

julie47 wrote:

Hi elizabeth
just popped in again to see how you were doing. Not so good still.....I am sorry. Poor you having to wait till friday to see a doc.
Infact thats terrible. We can ring in the morning to try for an appointment.
You do have to be sat at the phone dead on 8am and press redial for about 10 mins.
Hope you can rest during the day
take care
and will have my fingers crossed on friday
juliepf x

Thank you Julie.I might have seen another GP sooner but this one is lovely and saw me first time so no explaining to do. I am sitting down as much as poss but sewing, writing cheques that sort of thing.Luckily hands doing very well.
Take care
E x

tkachev · 2. Feb 2011, 07:01

collywobble wrote:

Hi Elizabeth

So sorry to read this is dragging on for you, but I suppose not worth the risk of starting the humira just yet. As Speedy said, there do seem to be a lot of nasty, tenacious bugs around just now.

You rest as much as possible (I know ....not that easy), and fingers crossed you won't have to be in pain much longer.

Take care,
love from Lynn xx

Thanks Lynn, lovely to hear from you. Hope you are feeling better.Dan has respite tonight, lots of fun, mc D and mars bar. It is his routine.So I will get a bit more rest than usual.
E x

dreamdaisy · 2. Feb 2011, 07:09

You are not on a lot, are you? I am on 6 sulpha per day, and when I have to stop the meth/humira for a 'proper' illness I do turn to the zinc. I buy it over the counter from the local chemist, it's in the supplements bit. Whether I should or not is another matter, but I like getting better as fast as I can. If you have any doubts then check with your rheumatology nurse or your GP on Friday. We are all different in what we can or cannot do, what we should or should not do and in how we react to things. As for the stairs, I only come down forwards when in public - backwards is far easier on the joints, for some reason. DD

tkachev · 2. Feb 2011, 07:21

dreamdaisy wrote:

You are not on a lot, are you? I am on 6 sulpha per day, and when I have to stop the meth/humira for a 'proper' illness I do turn to the zinc. I buy it over the counter from the local chemist, it's in the supplements bit. Whether I should or not is another matter, but I like getting better as fast as I can. If you have any doubts then check with your rheumatology nurse or your GP on Friday. We are all different in what we can or cannot do, what we should or should not do and in how we react to things. As for the stairs, I only come down forwards when in public - backwards is far easier on the joints, for some reason. DD

Thanks DD. I sort of gave up on over the counter meds long ago as things can interract with each other but I will ask my GP as, like you said ,one wants and needs to get better.
'proper illness' I like that.

E x

frogmorton · 2. Feb 2011, 08:09

Hi Elizabeth

Saw an ex colleague with RA yesterday she took three course of anibiotics to get her infection under control - the poor lass thought she was dying. Carried on with her mtx and humira throughout. :shock:

SO very glad you have an appt and it sounds worth it to see a lovely GP.

Take care

Love

toni xx

finished antibiotics but no better.

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