antibiotics would you change the dose yourself

[addictedtolatte]

i went to the doctors yesterday with a sinus infection and was given oral antibiotics 10 mils 3 times a day for 3 days. for anyone who takes tablet form this is a double dose. i took my first dose this morning but have also developed a chest infection. i was trying to decide whether to half the dose and use it for 5 days like the doctor does for chest infections? would this work better on a chest infection not sure how antibiotics work really

I wouldn't. How do you know it's a chest infection?

I have had sinusitis before and I think when you're recovering, you do find your chest gets a bit bad and you get a sort of bad cold for a bit and then you recover.

Just my experience!!

i havnt been told its a chest infection just going off past experience i am asthmatic and my peak flow has dropped to 150 and i cant stop coughing. i am just a bit worried because my sister had simalar symptoms to me last week and now has pnuemonia. thanks for replying puppy i didnt know you get a tight chest with a sinus infection maybe thats what it is.

I think for safety's sake you should go back to the GP. Your peak flow is clearly on the low side and you should be thoroughly reassessed. Take care and I wish you better soon.

Does your GP know your PF is low and you have a cough? I would go back and see the GP - but in the mean time take the ABs at the dose prescribed. I seem to get given the same type of AB for all respiratory infections. I was admitted to hospital with pneumonia after my chest had sounded clear to a gp not long before so I think these things can befuddle sometimes. (I am not a medic so am just saying what I would do) Hope you are better soon.

Take the prescribed dose. You don't sound like you've got a chest infection, fever, green sputum etc..
but go back to your GP. Your PF is very low. Asthma will almost always be triggered by a virus. Your airways are irritable and inflammed and not enough air is getting in, therefore you are coughing, (worse at night?) Take your blue reliever as much as you need it, don't try not to, keep a note of how much you've taken to tell the GP and keep a tab on your PF. He will listen to your chest ( and will be able to tell whether you have a chest infection or exacerbation of asthma) He/she might well give you some oral steroids to clear up the inflammation in your airways, and will want to see you again to review you. I'm assuming you don't have a (probably brown, ie preventer inhaler) If you do, carry on taking this as normal twicw daily, hope you feel better soon

thanks everyone for advice think i will stick to the prescribed dose then. will book in to see asthma nurse tomorrow to see whats going on with my chest. ive had pnuemonia once and got hospitalised for 7 days i dont want to go through that again