Day 4 of antibiotics for chest infection - no improvement - coughing ALL night long - does this mean that these ab's won't work?

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Am getting desperate now. Got 2 hours sleep last night as coughing violently kept me awake. Am struggling to cope with 7 week old and 2.9 yr old who is tired and whingey and full of cold herself (but won't nap or take medicine) as a result. Just want to sob until someone waves a magic wand and makes it all go away.

I have taken a strepsil (apparently a strepsil extra, though I'm not sure what's extra about them) and that actually makes more difference than either the abs or the inhaler that the GP prescribed. Surely that can't be right?

But is there anything more that I can actually be given, as I am breastfeeding both dc? Am on amoxycillin. Alternative was cephalexin, but aren't they both a bit broad base and wishy washy?

Thanks for caring guys

[impatient]

Have made appt (or rather dh begged for one for me as I thought I would lose it on phone) to see locum GP tonight.

My last chest infection didn't clear on Amoxycillin and I had to have another one.

You can have most antibs when breastfeeding - download this print it and take to docs

you poor thing hoping the doc can prescribe something stronger and you will perk up soon.

Have you tried some steam inhallation to try and loosen your chest off?

Aaaaaaarrrggghhh - too tired to explain whole saga at the moment, but locum gp has given me prednisolone (steroid). Got home, read leaflet, contains lactose. Ds milk intolerant, so now I'm screwed if I do take them and screwed if I don't.

Are prednisilone the tiny red ones? What is your dosage?

The reason I ask is that unless you are on 8 or more - you are talking about less than half a teaspoon of lactose - I don't know how careful you are with your diet but I imagine that small an amount would have a limited affect on DS? and could be hidden in a lot of 'non-milk' foods?

Obviously you know your DS better but it seems a very small amount to me

Yes, tiny red ones. I have to take 10 of them now, and then 5 a day afterwards.

I don't slip up AT ALL with hidden milk stuff, because the tiniest amount used to set dd off, so I got very used to label checking everything, and cook most things from scratch.

As ds is only 7 weeks old, I haven't tried re-introducing any dairy yet, so I suppose I don't know whether he's as sensitive as his sister was.

I think I'll take the first dose, and then pop into the surgery tomorrow and see if they have a milk free version.

Tricky - poor DD (& possibly DS)

I keep finding milk in odd places - I have been much better since making my own bread/biscuits ect

Good luck the prednisilone should help (even the one day's worth)

Just here to show some sympathy

Sorry you are still so poorly, but hopefully the pred will have some effect on you (and none on ds)

argh CSWS- you sound v poorly
Hope you get more sleep tonight, and that they start working soon.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that codeine inhibits coughing. I'm not sure what type of cough this refers to though. Maybe you could ask doctor or pharmasist. Hope you feel better soon.

To update, no milk free version available, but my GP was back rather than locum, and his instruction was to take the steroids over the weekend then stop, and if not better on Monday then he wants to see me.

So far I've taken Thursday's double dose and Friday's dose.

I am now categorically not taking any more, because the effect on ds has been horrendous. Instead of the cough keeping me awake all night, the cough now keeps me awake half the night, and ds keeps me awake screaming the other half. He also screams all day long.

I am weary.

oh CSWS- that isn't good.
Is DH home atm?

He has been, but goes away for 3 days this coming week - eek!

are you getting any sleep?????
Isn't this affecting your supply?

Nearly 4 hours each of the last 2 nights, 2 hours the night before, 3 the night before that....

Can barely keep eyes open at the moment, but head hurts most right now, either from cold, from drugs, or more likely from the hours of screaming that ds did this afternoon.

Am thinking that most of last night's tablets are probably out of my system by now, so hopefully he'll get clear milk overnight and be calmer and sleep better [forever optimistic].

Would you like me to come over Monday or Tuesday? If there is anything I could do, I could come while the dds are at school....

Bless you Jas. That's very kind, but not necessary.

Had a much better night in terms of both cough and ds being settled, so it obviously was the steroids upsetting him.

Managed about 5 hours .

Glad you got a better night, at least.

Do let me know if there is anything I can do.

Glad you're getting a little more sleep CSWS.