randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i went to the doc and here's what he said. "acute bronchitis with upper respiratory tract infection". won't get better until i take antibiotics so he gave me omnicef 500 twice a day for 10 days. also gave me one tablet of diflucan and said take it first day and last day of antibiotics. i thought i should take it every day but hey, what do i know.
he gave me a cough syrup for this horrendous cough but here's a catch.
he wanted me to take prednisone for twice a day for two weeks. said uh no i don't want that. he said he was hampering his treatment by denying the treatment.
i told him lymies don't need steroids and he gave me this "oh god, here she goes again" look but i said no.
he said it wouldn't hurt me, but i disagree.
what do you think about taking steroids for two weeks for acute bronchitis? i don't want any and am very afraid of them.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
I am glad you don't have Pneumonia! Hope the cough syrup helps you relax and sleep.
I wouldnt take the oral steroids. I have not had Bronchitis in a long time, but I think they can give you an inhaler to open things up. That may be a steroid or maybe albuterol. I forget.
Would a steroid inhaler be ok with Lyme? I think I would do it.
I am sure someone with more experience will come along! Hope you feel better
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
you're right, he was talking about a steroid inhaler called albuterol or something but he called it prednisone. said it reduces the inflammtion.
at least i think he was talking about an inhaler.
but whatever, i thought no steroids for lymies meant no....
am i wrong????
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
I would be leery of the steroid stuff too, Randi. Tough call to make. Why can't these choices be easy?
Unless it is somehow contraindicated, I would try using Mentholatum (or Vicks) on my chest, neck, throat, and back, especially at night before bed.
Yep, it smells horrible and can make you feel chilly. But I put the Mentholatum on me, then put on an old turtleneck or T-shirt, then something warm on top of that, and I swear it breaks up the gunk in the chest, makes coughing more productive and really helps clear your chest out.
I hate it because I loathe the smell, but the darn stuff works for me.
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
I bet it was Advair, which is albuterol and a steroid combined. Probably would not have hurt you.
If you don't feel better in a few days, you may want to get that script filled. I took Advair for over a year for supposed asthma. [which followed a bad bout of bronchitis]
I'm not currently taking it. Glad you got some abx....happy herxing!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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So sorry you are feeling so bad. I am a bronchitis kid/adult........anytime I get anything close to a cold it turns into bronchitis. I have never had an inhailer.
I take the antibiotics only when I can't kick it myself, which is most of the time. Try propping yourself up with pillows and sleep in as upright of a position as you can.
That keeps the mucus from pooling in your lungs. Also get a cool air humidifier, or if you live in a high humidity area and it is cool outside, bundle up and go out and sit and count stars.........
Sounds strange but when my daughter that is the Lymeie, was little she had chronic croup, and that is what her pediatrian told me to do. At first I thought he was nuts, but you know what??? It worked. We spend many nights wrapped up in blankets on the front porch counting stars when she was little.
Thank you so much for the pads, they are being put to good use.......will see if they help the pain.
IMO, stay away from anything that even sounds like steroids, unless you get an ok from your LLMD.
HUGS,
-------------------- ICEY Posts: 468 | From Las Vegas NV | Registered: Jun 2005
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he was talking about a steroid inhaler called albuterol said it reduces the inflammtion.
albuterol HAS BEEN A GODSEND TO ME! has really helped me; hubby says I don't wake up gasping for air any more; RELAXES ME! I'm not giving it up!
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posted
I stridently disagree with the no steroids at all ever folks.
First, bronchitis can be quite serious and the audacity of people here to argue so vigorously with the treatment of a physician who saw you, took your history, etc without knowing you, your history, your symptoms, etc. is disturbing. Second, if it is in the form of an inhaler, it remains localized to the lungs, it is not systemic. Third, you say you'd be on an antibiotic at the same time as the steroids.
Offered as a point of data only, I've been on steroid inhalers pretty much since they came into existence since I have serious and difficult to control asthma.
Also in my life, I've been so sick with Lyme meningitis (that was diagnosed via a spinal tap - gasp! another "never" fable challenged) that I nearly died. AND I was treated with antibiotics, rigorously and long term and have gotten much better. All this while on steroid inhalers and occasionally a few weeks of prednisone (oral and systemic) when things have gotten out of control asthma-wise. I am sure to be on an antibiotic when I'm on systemic steroids to cover myself and keep any bugs in check.
Used very judiciously, steroids can be life saving and very helpful. There is a major difference between local and systemic steroids. I'm concerned that people who have a knee-jerk reaction that ALL steroids in ANY form are bad are just as short-sighted as the docs they hate who have the knee-jerk reaction that there is no Lyme that is ever serious and exists beyond a month treatment.
My primary caution is with systemic steriods but even that can work done properly and in the presence of antibiotics. I'm doing that myself now (had a horrible peanut allergy a few weeks ago, needed the prednisone to breath again). BUT upped the doxy I'm on to cover myself...
Inhaled steroids, totally different story -- local and helpful and you're also on antibiotics.
To clarify, I also recognized the power and vast array of side effects from SYSTEMIC steroids and even very high dose long term (years) inhalers -- I try to avoid them as much as possible, but to reiterate, taken judiciously, they can be useful. Systemic steroids, taken alone, in the presence of an active infection, absolutely bad things can happen. It is the all-encompassing NO STEROIDS EVER IN ANY form that I take profound exception and umbrage to.
I question coming on to a board soliciting medical advice for a serious condition from folks who don't know your medical history nor the severity of your symptoms and condition relative to a physician who saw you and prescribed treatment knowing these things.
Lastly, this is just another data point as much as any of the others here and I have no desire to take an iota of responsibility in the treatment of your bronchitis.
Wishes of wellness to you in whatever way you and your doctor treat your current illness.
Posts: 689 | From western MA (we say buttER and pizzA) | Registered: Nov 2004
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
while i understand your viewpoint and thank you for your concern, this pcp does not believe in lyme, says there's no such thing in texas, and does not believe i have it.
i'm just afraid of steroids. i did go to a well qualified back surgeon for my neck and he was going to give me steroid injection shots. when i told him i had lyme, he said he would not do it.
i've had other doctors tell me the same thing -- no steroids.
i don't know, it's all so confusing.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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There's a book by Dr. Firshein "Reversing Asthma." I'm not saying you have astham but he has lots of suggestions for ways to help the respiratory system so you don't have to use inhalers or can minimize their use.
What about bromelain to help the antibiotic penetrate better? There were studies that showed that people who didn't recover with antibiotics alone, did with the bromelain. It also works as an antiinflammatory. I'll see if I can find the research.
Posts: 984 | From San Diego | Registered: Nov 2006
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
what's bromelain? never heard of it.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
Bromelain is an enzyme. If you take it before your food it will help you digest proteins. If you take it on an empty stomach or at least two hours before a meal, it works as an antiinflammatory.
"Inhaled steroids, totally different story -- local and helpful and you're also on antibiotics.
To clarify, I also recognized the power and vast array of side effects from SYSTEMIC steroids and even very high dose long term (years) inhalers -- I try to avoid them as much as possible, but to reiterate, taken judiciously, they can be useful. Systemic steroids, taken alone, in the presence of an active infection, absolutely bad things can happen."
I agree completely.
Yes, bromelain may help the inflammation. Go to your health food store.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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