Antibiotics

Talk to me about antibiotics, specifically the "Z pack." I woke up
with what feels like bronchitis (woe is me!!!) and suddenly my whole,
"I'm not going to take anything because it'll hurt the baby..."
attitude has turned into "Show me the drugs!" I'm looking forward to a
cocktail of the Z pack, Robitussin DM, and Tylenol, as soon as my
husband gets home from the pharmacy. When I told the nurse that I was
coughing up technicolor things, she said, "Those are the magic words
around here..." and promised to call it in.

I'm 17 weeks gestation today. My baby's not going to be born with fins
or something, right? I figure, the baby's hosed if I can't breathe,
anyway, and I'm definitely breathing shallowly (because it hurts to
breathe deeply, and it makes me cough), so we probably ought to take
something and get rid of this thing. And it always gets worse (I get
it every year around this time) so it's better to take something sooner
than later. I've tried in the past to just let it run its course, and
I ended up in bed for a week, unable to do anything but cough and moan.

To complicate matters, I have asthma, and this bronchitis that I get
usually causes asthma attacks. What do I do if that happens? Do I
need to go to the ER? I have albuterol, but sometimes I have to take
more than the recommended amount to get any relief.

I plan to ask my doctor all of this when I see him tomorrow (he's out
today) but you guys are every bit as smart as he is, so I figured I'd
ask here, too, so I don't have to lay awake and worry... Besides,
talking to you guys is way more fun that watching Jerry Springer and
other daytime entertainment options...

Thanks, in advance!
Amy

I can't help you with the antibiotic question, but my doctor did say the
plain Robitussin is what they recommend while pregnant. I hope you feel
better soon.
--
Sue (mom to three girls)

wrote in message
ups.com...

Talk to me about antibiotics, specifically the "Z pack." I woke up
with what feels like bronchitis (woe is me!!!) and suddenly my whole,
"I'm not going to take anything because it'll hurt the baby..."
attitude has turned into "Show me the drugs!" I'm looking forward to a
cocktail of the Z pack, Robitussin DM, and Tylenol, as soon as my
husband gets home from the pharmacy. When I told the nurse that I was
coughing up technicolor things, she said, "Those are the magic words
around here..." and promised to call it in.

I'm 17 weeks gestation today. My baby's not going to be born with fins
or something, right? I figure, the baby's hosed if I can't breathe,
anyway, and I'm definitely breathing shallowly (because it hurts to
breathe deeply, and it makes me cough), so we probably ought to take
something and get rid of this thing. And it always gets worse (I get
it every year around this time) so it's better to take something sooner
than later. I've tried in the past to just let it run its course, and
I ended up in bed for a week, unable to do anything but cough and moan.

To complicate matters, I have asthma, and this bronchitis that I get
usually causes asthma attacks. What do I do if that happens? Do I
need to go to the ER? I have albuterol, but sometimes I have to take
more than the recommended amount to get any relief.

I plan to ask my doctor all of this when I see him tomorrow (he's out
today) but you guys are every bit as smart as he is, so I figured I'd
ask here, too, so I don't have to lay awake and worry... Besides,
talking to you guys is way more fun that watching Jerry Springer and
other daytime entertainment options...

Thanks, in advance!
Amy

On 9 Mar 2005 05:58:30 -0800, "
wrote:


Talk to me about antibiotics, specifically the "Z pack." I woke up
with what feels like bronchitis (woe is me!!!) and suddenly my whole,
"I'm not going to take anything because it'll hurt the baby..."
attitude has turned into "Show me the drugs!" I'm looking forward to a
cocktail of the Z pack, Robitussin DM, and Tylenol, as soon as my
husband gets home from the pharmacy. When I told the nurse that I was
coughing up technicolor things, she said, "Those are the magic words
around here..." and promised to call it in.
I got a *rotten* sinus infection when I was at about 20 weeks and was
prescribed a Z-pak (the 5 day not the 3). I requested that particular
AB because I stink at taking ABs for a 10 day cycle and she said that
it was fine.

I'm 17 weeks gestation today. My baby's not going to be born with fins
or something, right?
Not because of the Z-pak...wink

I figure, the baby's hosed if I can't breathe,
anyway, and I'm definitely breathing shallowly (because it hurts to
breathe deeply, and it makes me cough), so we probably ought to take
something and get rid of this thing. And it always gets worse (I get
it every year around this time) so it's better to take something sooner
than later. I've tried in the past to just let it run its course, and
I ended up in bed for a week, unable to do anything but cough and moan.
Are you coughing anything up (or blowing into a tissue) that isn't
clear or white-ish? I was coughing so hard that it made me throw up
-- and that went on pretty much till the day after I finished the ABs.

I'm sure it may have been better for the baby for me to have been more
of a trooper and just ride it out (if we're just talking chemically)
but the sleep deprivation, pain and stress it was causing could have
made *other things* a lot worse than a 5 day cycle of ABs IMO and
experience.


carla

wrote:
Talk to me about antibiotics, specifically the "Z pack." I woke up
with what feels like bronchitis (woe is me!!!) and suddenly my whole,
"I'm not going to take anything because it'll hurt the baby..."
attitude has turned into "Show me the drugs!" I'm looking forward to
a
cocktail of the Z pack, Robitussin DM, and Tylenol, as soon as my
husband gets home from the pharmacy. When I told the nurse that I
was
coughing up technicolor things, she said, "Those are the magic words
around here..." and promised to call it in.

What's a Z pack? I've had a sinus infection for two weeks now, and it's
not getting any better (might be getting worse). I've been treating it
with lots of fluids, as much sleep as I can get, Tylenol for the pain,
hot face cloths, saline nasal douches, hot herbal teas (camomile,
peppermint, ginger), dristan spray when it's really bad, and the
nasonex steroid spray that I'm already using for my "pregnancy
hayfever."

I see my doctor next Friday (in 9 days) and if the sinus infection
isn't better by then I'm praying for a round of antibiotics. The last
bad sinus infection I had, a year and a half ago, was less obvious
(plus I was taking OTC meds for it, which helped the symptoms but not
the cause) and I had it for almost 3 months before going on
antibiotics.

I figure I'm not doing my family any favours by being a sick and
increasingly unwieldy wife and mommy (although the baby is totally
oblivious, of course).

Melania
Mom to Joffre (Jan 11, 2003)
and #2 (edd May 21, 2005)

Sue wrote:
I can't help you with the antibiotic question, but my doctor did say
the
plain Robitussin is what they recommend while pregnant. I hope you
feel
better soon.

Thanks! I'm doing a lot better, after gallons of hot tea and soup...

And thanks to Carla!! I always like to read those "I did it and
everything's fine" posts. I read the package insert, and it didn't
even have the standard, "If you're pregnant, talk to your doctor..."
warning (the one that everything but milk seems to have), so I felt
pretty good taking it.

Sinus infections are the devil's work.

I'm coughing in technicolor. Yellow/green and brown seem to be the
most common. The real problem is that right now it hurts so much to
cough, that I'm not really getting anything up. It's the opposite of
fun. At least I don't have to feel guilty about staying in bed all day
reading magazines.

Thanks for the help!
Amy

Melania wrote:

What's a Z pack?

It's Zithromax. They come packaged in a cardboard sheet instead of a
bottle, for some odd reason. Looks like this:

http://www.lung.ca/drugs/images/resp...img000266b.jpg

....although there are different sorts.

I've had a sinus infection for two weeks now, and it's
not getting any better (might be getting worse).

Oh, my goodness! I think you need to call your doctor! If it's been
two weeks, you've got a hell of an infection going. Your body would've
fought it off by now if it could. There's no need to suffer this long
- and nine more days? A three week + sinus infection would kill me (or
I'd wish it would!!).

The last
bad sinus infection I had, a year and a half ago, was less obvious
(plus I was taking OTC meds for it, which helped the symptoms but not
the cause) and I had it for almost 3 months before going on
antibiotics.

My head would explode. Call your doctor. I didn't even have to go in
- they just called in the prescription (although I've noticed that
they're really free with the drugs. In this case, it was to my
benefit).

I've known people who have had to have surgery for recurrent sinus
infections (my mother in law, and the husband of one of my friends).
My MIL is fine, but the friend's husband had to have his removed, which
screwed up the whole structure of his face. He looks as though his
cheeks have caved in. My point is that you really need to take these
sorts of infections seriously!!

Two weeks, my mind boggles...

Amy

I've had a sinus infection for two weeks now, and it's
not getting any better (might be getting worse).

Oh, my goodness! I think you need to call your doctor! If it's been
two weeks, you've got a hell of an infection going. Your body
would've
fought it off by now if it could. There's no need to suffer this
long
- and nine more days? A three week + sinus infection would kill me
(or
I'd wish it would!!).

Yeah, it's nasty. It's a classic "had a cold, got over the cold,
developed a sinus infection" scenario, too, so I already taxed my
immune system plenty just fighting the cold. Plus parenting a sick
toddler through his own cold, and being pregnant . . .

The last
bad sinus infection I had, a year and a half ago, was less obvious
(plus I was taking OTC meds for it, which helped the symptoms but
not
the cause) and I had it for almost 3 months before going on
antibiotics.

My head would explode. Call your doctor. I didn't even have to go
in
- they just called in the prescription (although I've noticed that
they're really free with the drugs. In this case, it was to my
benefit).

My doctor's really hesitant with the drugs, which I appreciate. But,
you're right, I should probably get in to see her sooner. I just take
this, "meh, I'm coping, what are they really going to do for it
anyway?" attitude. Especially because IIRC, sinus infections can be
very resistent to antibiotics.

But this business of lying on the couch or zombied out in front of the
computer for four hours a day should end. It's not doing ds any
favours, either (he's currently playing at a neighbour's, thank
heaven).


I've known people who have had to have surgery for recurrent sinus
infections (my mother in law, and the husband of one of my friends).
My MIL is fine, but the friend's husband had to have his removed,
which
screwed up the whole structure of his face. He looks as though his
cheeks have caved in. My point is that you really need to take these
sorts of infections seriously!!


Whoaaaah . . . 'kay, that's freaking me out a bit. I went through a
phase a year and a half ago where I was flying all the time and also
getting frequent colds, and I think something went sideways in my
sinuses. I'm now really prone to infection and where colds used to
predominantly effect my throat, now they target the sinuses every time.

Melania
Mom to Joffre (Jan 11, 2003)
and #2 (edd May 21, 2005)

Melania wrote:

Yeah, it's nasty. It's a classic "had a cold, got over the cold,
developed a sinus infection" scenario, too, so I already taxed my
immune system plenty just fighting the cold. Plus parenting a sick
toddler through his own cold, and being pregnant . . .

My colds always start out as colds, then turn into sinus infections,
then turn into bronchitis. I attribute it to being a smoker for 10
years. 'Course, I quit back in August, and here I am with bronchitis.
Bummer. It was weird, I skipped the cold and the sinus this time, and
it went straight to my lungs.

My doctor's really hesitant with the drugs, which I appreciate. But,
you're right, I should probably get in to see her sooner. I just take
this, "meh, I'm coping, what are they really going to do for it
anyway?" attitude. Especially because IIRC, sinus infections can be
very resistent to antibiotics.

Yeah, they can, because they're nasty evil devil bugs...

But this business of lying on the couch or zombied out in front of
the
computer for four hours a day should end. It's not doing ds any
favours, either (he's currently playing at a neighbour's, thank
heaven).

I hear you. I'm really glad that my dog's still an only child for the
next 23 weeks - I'm not sure how I'd manage if I had a little one to
take care of while I felt this bad. It'll be interesting... I guess
I'll put my head down and do it, because I won't have a choice.

Whoaaaah . . . 'kay, that's freaking me out a bit.

I should be specific - my MIL lives in Northwest Indiana, where there
is a lot of pollution from the steel mills. I think the pollution is
related to the number of people who get serious sinus problems. It's
probably not normal for other parts of the country. I know that if I
spend more than 2 or 3 days at home, I get one. Hers were extremely
chronic. I don't know much about the guy who had his removed, but I
suspect there were other underlying problems. I only wanted to freak
you out enough to get you to call the doctor!!

I went through a
phase a year and a half ago where I was flying all the time and also
getting frequent colds, and I think something went sideways in my
sinuses. I'm now really prone to infection and where colds used to
predominantly effect my throat, now they target the sinuses every
time.

That's weird. My MIL swears by this stuff called Airborne.
http://www.drugstore.com/templates/b...am=xsp10417 2
She flies a lot too (as did the inventor) and was a teacher, and she
says that this stuff kept her from getting sick several times. It's
all herbal and stuff. I've not taken it, but my husband has. He says
it's pretty good. Just be really careful with the herbs while pregnant
- some of them have unintended side effects.

Back to bed for me...

Amy

I plan to ask my doctor all of this when I see him tomorrow (he's out
today) but you guys are every bit as smart as he is, so I figured I'd
ask here, too, so I don't have to lay awake and worry... Besides,
talking to you guys is way more fun that watching Jerry Springer and
other daytime entertainment options...


I've just had bronchitis and the doctor prescribed axocillin. This is
supposed to be safe if you are pregnant. Unfortunately I had my first
reaction to an antibiotic and ended up covered in spots.

Robyn

EDD 15-11-2005

wrote in message
ups.com...

Talk to me about antibiotics, specifically the "Z pack." I woke up
with what feels like bronchitis (woe is me!!!) and suddenly my whole,
"I'm not going to take anything because it'll hurt the baby..."
attitude has turned into "Show me the drugs!" I'm looking forward to a
cocktail of the Z pack, Robitussin DM, and Tylenol, as soon as my
husband gets home from the pharmacy. When I told the nurse that I was
coughing up technicolor things, she said, "Those are the magic words
around here..." and promised to call it in.

I'm 17 weeks gestation today. My baby's not going to be born with fins
or something, right?

I took a z-pack with the whooping cough at about 23-24 weeks. I've been
taking probiotics since, to help recolonize my gut. The prime concern with
antibiotics in pregnancy is that it increases the risk of allergies later
on...but probiotics tend to reduce it. I *had* to take the antibiotics...
and Robitussin DM for that matter--the other option would have been going to
the hospital for respiratory support I was so bad off.

You're past the first trimester, and Zithromycin is on the "okay" list for
pg anyway. I WOULD recommend that about two weeks from now, you start eating
yogurt with live cultures, and/or taking probiotics. Good advice even if you
didn't have antibiotics... and I've seen a LOT of mainstream docs
recommending probiotics (which are basically the same as the live active
cultures in yogurt) lately.

FWIW... you do need to make sure the yogurt has LIVE cultures. Frozen yogurt
usually doesn't, nor, I expect, does any yogurt which does not require
refrigeration, though as I can't eat dairy, I don't spend a lot of time
reading non-soy yogurt containers.

Jenrose