Anybody ever notice...

Anyone ever notice that whenever they take Zithromax (azithromycin) that their asthma seems better? I did...I am on Zithromax chronically for my infections and for anti inflammatory reasons (atypical CF). Prior to being put on this over a year ago, I was wheezing every day it seemed and I had more coughing. It also seemed that my asthma component took more to control. After a few weeks on the stuff, I noticed that my symptoms actually improved. My pulmonologist asked me how I felt since Zithromax came into the picture. I told him about how my asthma improved (also my infections) and he said that studies were being done as far as the benefits of Zithromax as well as other macrolides to controlling moderate to severe asthma. Lo and behold, when I researched this, there were indeed studies being done about Zithromax and asthma.
Just wondering if anyone else found the same results with taking zithromax....Sunny :)

[soccermom51]

Sunny, go to www.asthmastory.com and read about "infectious asthma" and how it was cured.  I just happened upon the site when typing in "asthma cure" over the holidays to see if I could find anything new about asthma treatment since my son who is 20 has been dealing with asthma since about age 10.  Read the website and all associated links, and do some internet searches on mycoplasma colonization.  There are tests being done across the country in the last year or so treating asthma with long-term antibiotic therapy.  When I read this, I promptly wrote my son's asthma doctor requesting an appointment and describing what I wanted to do which was treat my son long-term with antibiotics.  My son has now been on Biaxin 500 mg. twice daily for two weeks, and will take one more week of this dose and then go to 250 mg. Biaxin for 30 days with two refills.  I bought Biaxin, no generic.  My son played racquetball with my husband last night and for the first time did not have to stop to recover his breathing.  We are feeling very hopeful that this may be the cure we have looked for.  I told our doctor that after this round of antibiotics that I would be asking for more if I felt we were making progress.  It can take months or years to clear the colonization.  Just do the reading - you will be shocked and very hopeful and then you will know why you see an improvement when you take Zithromax which is what my son saw each time he would get sick and have a flare up.  Too bad we didn't know that we could possibly cure this with long-term antibiotic therapy but have dealt with years of this infection with steroids, etc.  Funny thing though, our doctor has known about this type of therapy which has been looked at for about 10 years now.  There are clinical trials going on all over the country regarding antibiotic treatment - you will be amazed.  I won't say how angry I feel that it was never suggested we try this treatment - only steroids, inhalers, Singular, etc. was offered which doesn't fix anything .... just keeps it in a manageable state until something causes a flare up.

[Sunny602]

It is very interesting reading about this, thanks for the links...it is no wonder that the Biaxin is doing well for your son as it is a macrolide as well (clarithromycin) and works as an anti inflammatory. Those with CF have been prescribed long term antibiotic therapy with Zithromax for some time now, that is how I came to being put on it...not for my asthmatic problems. I agree with you, it has done wonders as far as needing less bursts of steroids etc...and having fewer exacerbations. I have been on Zithromax now for a year and a half now and doing okay in the asthma dept. I am glad that your son is doing much better. Sunny :)

[smiling123]

I've been dealing with asthma for about 2 years now and I'm excited to see that there may be hope.  I have noticed that every time I've been on a Z-pak, my breathing is better.  I am curious if the drug companies do not want people to know that there is a cure for asthma.  Just think of the money lost if no one is buying inhalers and powder breathing treatments any more.

[Sunny602]

Hi smiling,
The Zithromax asthma study is now in phase IV which is cool.
Here is a link to this study, they are still recruiting. You should ask your doctor if there are any centers around you doing this study, perhaps you could get on board with it

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00760838?intr=%22Azithromycin%22&rank=29

I am still doing very well asthma wise, I have had one flare up over the last 4 months which is absolutely terrific with me considering how often I was taking steroids and aggressive therapy. I am also on Symbicort which also seems to be doing a wonderful job.