Recurrent chest infection.....what next, what should I be worried about?

[SlightlyMadSweet]

OK. Heres the history.

approx 4-5weeks ago get a cough. After about 7 days start coughing up green sputum so GP prescribes amoxycillin for 5 days. Sorts itself out.

About 5 days after finishing ABs I am really really poorly bringin up gallons of dark green and brown sputum. GP prescribes double dose erythromycin for 10 days. I was supposed to go back last Friday for probably chest XRay and bloods if there was no significant improvment.

Friday I was feeling much better. Noot perfect but better so I didn't go back. Same for W/E. Still some fluid on my chest but it is thin and clear.

Back to work Monday and in the last 2 days I am getting worse again. More sputum, thicker and getting slightly green again. BUT I am still on erythromycin - so if it is infection it is obviously resistent.
I am not rally poorly yet but I do feel worse than I was Fri/Sat/Sun.

Do I go back tomorrow (I think I know the answer to this )?
What should I be worrying about?

anyone????

hello dear.

yes you must go back.

You need to give a sputum sample, and you need to have a chest x-ray.

And you need to look after yourself and not be at work.

And you probably shouldn't have your bra on your head when you go to see your GP or he may prescribe other medication.

I was fine MOnday morning - honest guv. I was planning on going back and begging for a sick note, but Sunday I was brilliant.

It was taking my woolly socks off that did it - wasn't it???

And I just don't feel poorly (yet?).

I feel a fraud going to GP when I am not quite poorly.

But I worry that there could be underlying probs.

I don't think for one moment that anything sinister is going on. You have a nasty, recurent CI that needs blasting by the correct antibiotics.

And you need to stop going to work to give your body an opportunity to get rid of the bugger.

And you absolutely have to keep your warm socks on. goodness me

Yes I know you are right...but if I have time off work I dump things on other people. When I was off last week my boss had to go in at night and do a couple of hours work despite the fact that he was on annual leave....I know it is the wrong way to look at it but....I am only doing light duties/essential tasks though.

I am just getting pissed off that I am very up and down. Secretions today are crystal clear so maybe I was imagining the green tinge yesterday??? I just don't feel I have anything concrete to go to GP with - especially now sectretions are clear.

I did got to bed early last night and had a good nights sleep. So I think that helped and I will do it again tonight.

ABs are making me v nauseaus & abdo cramps too...making me feel like shite which doesn't help.

I know what you mean about other people having to do your work and lots of lovely guilt that goes with it.

However, unless you are the PM, or a commander of a nuclear submarine, or the only surgeon in the world that can do a very complicated type of surgery, then I think your work can just be put on hold until you are better.

The more you fanny about, the longer you will be poorly.

I'm glad to hear secs are clear

re Antibiotics, are you eating food when you take them? Eat lots of gut lining food, have you started on the activia yogs yet?

Yes and yes(when I fancy them) to teh last line. On the plus side I have lost about 1/2 stone+.

Apparenlty (according to MN) eryhtromycin isn't particularly well tolerated. Still I only have 1 more day...

Are they the big yeelow buggers?

no I think they are amoxil. Gawd they make me barf.

Being ill is just total pants really isn't it, all you want to do is make a nest on the sofa and watch day time tv or snooze. Childcare is just massively massively pants when you are ill.

I had amoxyl last time. Big yellow & red capsules which stink to high heaven...making me heave.

These are red smartie type things. Make me feel as though I have morning sickness all day long and heavy metalic taste in the morning. IN fact I feel worse than wehen I did have morning sickness.

On the plus I must have been better today. I got told 3 times in 3 minutes I looked shite yesterday (I was sat in a meeting and couldn't cough to clear my chest), so started to feel like I was drowning in sputum. No comments today (other than the fact I looked better than yesterday).

Well that is something. People are never backwards in coming forwards to tell you are looking shite.

Oops...so much for an early night

tut tut tut

I was in bed and asleep at ten past ten, and that is why I am so strong and healthy, and my chest is clear

look, clear as a bell.

update please

Sorry Dr . I wasn't around much yesterday as I needed an early night, and went out for a meal (well to teh pub with DCs)

Yesterday wsa the best day I have had in weeks.
Still felt as though I have excess mucous (but clear and fluid) on the chest- but maybe I am over-analysing. Took last ABs before I went to bed.

Today my mucous feels a bit heavier and slightly more copious again, more difficult to lift but more necessary to lift IYSWIM. It can't be rebound yet as ABs will still be in my system. Must just be part of my daily ups and downs??? I have a more classical snotty nosed cold ATM to which doesn't help. I don't feel ill at the slightest with it though so I shall see how I go over the WE.

I did get a subtle 'lecture' from my boss about being at work unnecessarily blah blah blah. I think some collegues had words about Tues.

I should say that my secretions are still clear/white....

Sounds like you are on the mend. v good

Thankyou for all your support and coaching....

My pleasure!