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Chest infection

Engineer88

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,130
Location
Wales
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Anyone else had a chest infection go on for 4 weeks or more?

4th lot of antibiotics and an inhaler, had a chest xray today. getting really fed up, just wondered if this is normal as in 23 years ive never had something hang on this long
 
Poor you,
I used to have really bad infections that would hang around for months, that was when I had bad control. Now I've got good control it doesn't bother me as much.
Speaking as a micro person, have you had your phlegm taken and analysed yet? Doctors are quick to prescribe general antibiotics that may have no effect apart from making the bugs in your chest more resistant. It may be that you need to send a few samples in if your antibiotics are repeatedly not working. How did your chest x-ray go? Did they rule out pneumonia?
Get better soon
 
Engineer88 said:
Anyone else had a chest infection go on for 4 weeks or more?

4th lot of antibiotics and an inhaler, had a chest xray today. getting really fed up, just wondered if this is normal as in 23 years ive never had something hang on this long
Click to expand...

Poor you, I imagine it must be getting you down..

A non-diabetic colleague of mine had a chest infection for 5 weeks last winter - She had 4 lots of antibiotics too - the fourth lot cleared up the infection. Sounds like your GP is not targetting the infection right. Might be time for them to do more tests.
Hope you get it sorted soon.

Best wishes for a quick recovery,
Elle
 
Thanks Guys, Asked about a sample last night (mum had been pushing for it as an ex nurse) and was told it wouldnt grow anything as I'm too full of antibiotics.

Actually feel worse today than i have in a few days - chest actually hurts! grrrrrr :sick:
 
I have Emphasyma and have had a lot of chest infections which I always took Amoxycillin for. ( General penicillin based antibiotoic which I think is the cheapest antibiotic to prescribe.)

The last infection I had was last August. 3 lots of Amoxycillin were prescribed and it wouldn't shift. So my doc changed my prescription to Clarythromycin and that did the trick.

Ask your doc if you could maybe change your antibiotic?

I'm not sure about this but I have always felt that if you always take penicillin for infections you may become immune ??
 
Hi all
Got a chest infection as well i also suffer with asthma as well as diabetes had it a week day after flu jab it then started to go now it is back with a vengence drs put me on AMOXICILLIN 250MG NO no good now given me a different inhaler, CODEINE LINCTUS & FOR COUGH AS WELL 250mg x 4 a day ERYTHROMCIN nothing working yet destiny
 
iv had Amoxycillin, Clarythromycin x2 and now combining co-amoxiclav and Amoxycillin while finishing Clarythromycin. currently 8 antibiotics a day and now feel so soo rough (worse than yesterday) due to side effects
 
Engineer88 said:
iv had Amoxycillin, Clarythromycin x2 and now combining co-amoxiclav and Amoxycillin while finishing Clarythromycin. currently 8 antibiotics a day and now feel so soo rough (worse than yesterday) due to side effects
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell

I was wondering if the chest infection has developed into something else, possibly bronchial as there are few other things that could have developed. I had a chest infection about 6 or 7 years ago now and it was awful but it cleared up pretty quickly with antibiotics.

Wishing you a speedy and healthy recovery, take care.

With best wishes RRB
 
Sounds like your having an awful time, get well soon Engineer!
 
For really bad coughs if Pholcodeine doesn't work, then Pulmo Bailey will. Tastes awful mind but needs must....

A facial steam inhaler will help to losen up a tight chest and a good rub with Vicks....

Hope you feel better soon
 
thanks guys,

been awake since 4.30. decided might as well come to work for 7. uuugghh.

anywho iHs this is quite a bit more that a cough. I tend to find Robitussin the best and ive had gallons of it.

I felt awful for the first week, but after that bar the coughing and ich that comes from coughing up ****, Ive either got used to it or felt a bit better. Side effects from that many antibiotics is whats making me feel awful yest and today! :crazy:
 
Hi, Engineer88.

Just had a thought that you might be in some kind of area that is not helping, You engineering background made me think of maybe fumes or even indoor heating of a kind is not helping you.
Am I being silly to recommend that you get wrapped well and get lots of fresh air (sea air if possible)." even a trip to Italy will help or just the thought of it"
Sorry but there is always some pratt like me that thinks fresh air is good for you.

Roy.
 
Roy, No I agree being in an air con'ed room at least 8 hours a day isnt helping. Being in the midlands the sea is a no-no I'm afraid.

Problem is after a day at work and with the side effects the last thing i want to do is go out when I get home.

mmmmm sofa....
 
Air conditioning and central heating too high is a no no where bugs and slugs are concerned. Fresh air is far better from a slightly opened window.

As a kid, I routinely went down with bronchial coughs and often coughed up yellow muck and often needed anti b's and cough medicine like Hills Bronchial Balsam put in warm water and drunk over time slowly. I eventually had my tonsils out and that helped.

Breathing in steam will help losen up phlegm and make the coughing more productive as its better out than in and is less painful.
 
+ 1 for the steam suggestion.

Olbas Oil in a bowl of boiling water and a towel will be good enough. If you don't have Olbas Oil plain water will still do the job.

When my son was little he kept getting croup and the steam helped Russ a lot.

When I was in my 20s I would get recurring sinusitis and always used to breathe in steam to help it as I didn't want to take antibiotics unless it was absolutely vital. Now I have no choice as everytime I get a chest infection I have to take steroids and antibiotics.

I haven't had a chest infection since my Diabetes Type 2 diagnosis so it will be interesting to see how the medication effects my blood sugars...
 
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