Is there medical evidense which says that lots of anti-biotics are bad for you?

[Katymac]

I want to go to DH's consultant appointment with as much info as possible?

[SlightlyMadScreachingSirens]

I think that lots of unneccessary ABs for children who are developing an immune system are bad. It is one of the theories for cause of asthma & allergy.

BUT antibiotics where necessary are essential and I am not aware of any condraindications in adults.

Not an area which I am expert on though

[Katymac]

Sop 12 lots in 12 months won't do much harm?

[Katymac]

Sorry SMS - when I read that back it sounded sarcastic & I didn't mean it too

I am very worried about DH atm & maybe typing a bit abruptly (iyswim)

It is a subject I want to understand better - I guess I am worried about immunity and 'superbugs'

[HuwEdwards]

I don't know that they do harm, but I think the body devlops resistance to them so can become less and less effective in future use.

[Katymac]

I think that is what I am worried about

He will get a bug they can't treat because he has had 8 lots of amoxycillin, 3 lots of eurymyacin and 1 lot of something that was bug & blue

[Woollymummy]

they wipe out non-pathogenic gut bacteria, making more space for nasty bugs to colonise body,so you end up with digestive probs, thrush can take hold more easily etc.

[sparklyjen]

I thought the problem with lots of anti-biotics was that the bugs would become resistant, not the person?

[Katymac]

Or maybe it's a bit of both?

[Katymac]

I don't want to go into to see the consultant saying that all these A/B's are bad/dangerous/inadvisable/wrong unless they really are

I think saying that 12 chest infections in 12 months is something to be concerned about irrespective of the A/B's

I want to be sensible and accurate not a pratt

[SlightlyMadScreachingSirens]

NO it didn't sound abrupt.

I am not aware of any harm - but that doesn't mean there isn't any. Does that make sense?

"your" body cannot become immune - but the bugs infecting you can become resistant.

What ABs are they? broad spectrum penicillins? TBH I don't think anyone would be too worried about immunity to penicillin as far as the superbugs are concerned. It is when the bugs become immune to teh stronger Abs that there is a problem.

TBH long term steroid use would concern me a little more - having seen your other thread - but IIRC that was only 3 times in 12m so wouldn't be classed as long term. It is also only certain types of steroid. Check out "adrenal insufficiency". I think we are talking years of high dose to be at risk for this though.

At the end of the day antibitotics save lives - as does steroid treatment of asthma - so whilst I fully appreciate that you may be looking for altrnatives and want to fully understand the long term health implications don't lose sight of the fact that these drugs are lifesavers.

I am afraid I am going to bed now so I am not ignoring you. I will be back tomorrow - but I am sure there are people than more knowledge than me out there too

[SlightlyMadScreachingSirens]

Lots of Xposts.

amoxycillin is hte same as penicillin...not concerning wrt resistance IMO.

[Katymac]

Thanks SMS - have a good night's sleep

I don't want to go in irrational

Amoxycillin (lots) eruthymiacin (some) plus one other are I think not terrible strong A/B's

His steriods were only prednisilone (sp) (don't know why I put(SP) as most of the words are spelt wrong)

I guess I a not sure whether

1. I am concerned about the infections
   
2. I am concerned about A/B or steroids
   
3. I am concerned about asthma
   
4. I am concerned about his lungs/lung damage
   
5. I am concerned about his immune system
   
6. I am worried something else is wrong
   
   I guess I am panicking - he tends to get 'opportunistic' bugs - and he is getting steadily weaker

[nooka]

If they are used in a responsible way to treat illnesses that need antibiotics then that's fine. But resistance does build up, as the bugs learn to survive the drugs. That leads to bugs that are very hard to treat (hense MRSA etc). From the point of view of the patient it means stronger and stronger drugs have to be used,b ut it's more an issue for the community as the worry is that we may get to a point when there are very few antibiotics left that can kill the most virulent bacteria. You can find some good articles on this to read before you go, but what you need to ask the consultant is whether he thinks your dh is become resistant. I'd worry that maybe your dh has not has 12 seperate infections, bu that the treatment has not managed to completely kill the original infection, which is maybe why they have moved onto the bug & blue variety (the other two are quite commonly used drugs).
Have alook at this article www.mayoclinic.com/health/antibiotics/FL00075 which seemed to be the sort of info you are after

[Katymac]

or 'big & blue' even

I do think we don't have to worry about cancer or TB as he had scans and X-rays

I think I am most worried he will get pneumonia and be too weak to fight it off