Antibiotics

I had to go to Minor Injury and Illness on Wednesday because I woke up with a bronchitis like cough.  As I am an asthmatic, I know when it is bad from the first cough.  I went in and they gave me 1500 mg/day amoxicillin.  I have completed two days, but, am getting worse.  The cough has increased and now my throat is on fire.  And I am wheezing on and off.  And I slept away the majority of Wednesday, all of Thursday, and most of today so far.

Correct me if I am wrong, but, I should be showing signs of improvement by now, right?  Should I go back?

It took my amoxicillin about 4 days to kick in - but bear in mind that could be because I'm pregnant. It does seem this cough that is going around is a real bear to shake.

(((hugs)))

Hugs back.  This cough is terrible!  I think I will give it another day of the full dose and if I wake up still feeling terrible tomorrow, I will go back in tomorrow morning.

It may just take a while for the levels to build up enough in your system for it to make a difference.  Keep taking the full course.  The last thing you want to do is stop, then start again, encouraging resistance. 

If after almost the full course, you are still in a bad way, go back to the dr and they'll prescribe another course and maybe change the antibiotic.  Sometimes it takes more than one course to zap a nasty infection.

Have you had amoxicillin before?  If not, be sure you're not allergic to it. 
BTW, we've had a GP prescribe weak medicines before having to go back to get stronger ones before.  This seem, in our experience thus far, to be their M.O.. 

Dar,

Feeling any better?

Penicillin takes two days before it even kicks in.  Or it could be a virus instead of an infection and you might need to tough it out.  Either way, it's too soon to panic.

Penicillin takes two days before it even kicks in.  

I had a throat infection a couple of months ago and it did take two or three days before I started feeling better.

If you're asthmastic, it could be more complicated than that. The antibiotic will take care of the infection, but the infection itself it could be triggering an asthma attack, which will perpetuate the coughing.  Are you wheezing as well?  Have you used an inhaler at all?

It took my amoxicillin about 4 days to kick in - but bear in mind that could be because I'm pregnant. It does seem this cough that is going around is a real bear to shake.

(((hugs)))

Ditto that and I was on the same dose as you Dar.  I still have occasional coughing a week and a half after starting it (7 day course) but am definitely much better.

Sorry, should have asked:  is the coughing worse at night, and are you treating the asthma symptoms at all? 

I completed the course and still very much feel like crap.  The coughing symptoms seem to have no rhyme or reason.  Sometimes it is really bad during the day and others it is horrible at night.  I have an inhaler, but, it doesn't always work.

I am also very, very weak and have horrible nasal congestion now.  I am back at work because stuff was piling up and I am the only person who does my job.  Trying to get in to see the GP.

It is important that you go back.  It may also be that you didn't have a bacterial infection or it could meant that you need more than one course to zap it.   chances are if you have had this for as long as you have, it is definitely now bacterial, even if it wasn't to begin with.

What colour is your snot? 

It is important that you go back.  It may also be that you didn't have a bacterial infection or it could meant that you need more than one course to zap it.   chances are if you have had this for as long as you have, it is definitely now bacterial, even if it wasn't to begin with.

What colour is your snot? 

Yellowish.  I'm off to Minor Injury and Illness after work.  Can't get into the GP yet.

I'd go and sneeze and drip all over the GP's stupid receptionists until they agree to register you.

 

Vicky