Aa
Antibiotics for asthma: here I go!
This is my first post about the journey I've just started with antibiotics in the hope of eradicating asthmatic symptoms. Google "asthmastory" to find out all about this.
My doctor has agreed to start me on clarythromycin based on discussion with him about research and information, icluding an article Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae in Asthma: Effect of Clarithromycin, published in the journal Chest.
I started the treatment two weeks ago. I have not had a dramatic improvement at this stage, but I'm not expecting to either. All of the information indicates it can take up to 12 weeks or even longer for the treatment to be effective, if the bacteria is the cause.
Chlamydia pneumoniae typically causes a respiratory infection that is at first acute, and then can cause troubles in the airways. I have had a chronic cought (viscous yellow phlegm) for a year. During the same time, I developed "late onset" asthma.
One of the things that can happen if the bacteria die is a flu-like reaction called a Herxheimer reaction, which results from endotoxins released as the bacteria die off. I got this reaction on days three and into day four. It was pretty mild, just felt like I was coming down with a flu but nothing progressed. I was glad to have this reaction because it was tangible evidence something might be going on.
My cough has now pretty much gone. If I cough up anything, it is clear rather than yellow/green. This is the first time in a year I have not coughed up yellow-green phlegm (daily).
As I understand it, if the bacteria are in the airways, as they die off they can also cause more inflammation in the short-term, leading to a temporary worsening of symptoms. I may be experiencing this at the moment. I have had a couple of unusually bad days, with pronounced difficulties breathing at times so that I've had more asthma meds than usual.
Quickly after I began the antibiotics, my sinuses "cleared". The bacteria can live in the sinuses; in fact that's where they were first found. I had not really expected this because my sinuses were not too bad, but again, I'm glad because it is tangible evidence that the antibiotics are killing off bacteria.
The antibiotic treatment is not causing me any problems, fortunately, although I will have my liver function monitored as I stay on the treatment for a few weeks. It has been suggested that if there's no response after 12 weeks, further treatment is probably not worthwhile. All the same, I know some people have taken longer.
I remain hopeful that I will see an improvement in this timeframe. At the moment, there seems to be no real downside to the treatment. I am really glad that there have been several signs that bacteria are indeed being killed.
If you're not aware, many people claim that their asthma has been entirely eradicated by this treatment. It may be relevant to around 50% of people with asthmatic symptoms. Obviously, anyone who wants to pursue it needs to do their own homework. Believe me, unless you have an unusually informed doctor, s/he won't know about it. However, my doctor was happy to go with the treatment based largely on the publication mentioned above.
Let me know if you're interested in how I progress. I will post more on my progress if there is sufficient interest.
Take care all.
My doctor has agreed to start me on clarythromycin based on discussion with him about research and information, icluding an article Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae in Asthma: Effect of Clarithromycin, published in the journal Chest.
I started the treatment two weeks ago. I have not had a dramatic improvement at this stage, but I'm not expecting to either. All of the information indicates it can take up to 12 weeks or even longer for the treatment to be effective, if the bacteria is the cause.
Chlamydia pneumoniae typically causes a respiratory infection that is at first acute, and then can cause troubles in the airways. I have had a chronic cought (viscous yellow phlegm) for a year. During the same time, I developed "late onset" asthma.
One of the things that can happen if the bacteria die is a flu-like reaction called a Herxheimer reaction, which results from endotoxins released as the bacteria die off. I got this reaction on days three and into day four. It was pretty mild, just felt like I was coming down with a flu but nothing progressed. I was glad to have this reaction because it was tangible evidence something might be going on.
My cough has now pretty much gone. If I cough up anything, it is clear rather than yellow/green. This is the first time in a year I have not coughed up yellow-green phlegm (daily).
As I understand it, if the bacteria are in the airways, as they die off they can also cause more inflammation in the short-term, leading to a temporary worsening of symptoms. I may be experiencing this at the moment. I have had a couple of unusually bad days, with pronounced difficulties breathing at times so that I've had more asthma meds than usual.
Quickly after I began the antibiotics, my sinuses "cleared". The bacteria can live in the sinuses; in fact that's where they were first found. I had not really expected this because my sinuses were not too bad, but again, I'm glad because it is tangible evidence that the antibiotics are killing off bacteria.
The antibiotic treatment is not causing me any problems, fortunately, although I will have my liver function monitored as I stay on the treatment for a few weeks. It has been suggested that if there's no response after 12 weeks, further treatment is probably not worthwhile. All the same, I know some people have taken longer.
I remain hopeful that I will see an improvement in this timeframe. At the moment, there seems to be no real downside to the treatment. I am really glad that there have been several signs that bacteria are indeed being killed.
If you're not aware, many people claim that their asthma has been entirely eradicated by this treatment. It may be relevant to around 50% of people with asthmatic symptoms. Obviously, anyone who wants to pursue it needs to do their own homework. Believe me, unless you have an unusually informed doctor, s/he won't know about it. However, my doctor was happy to go with the treatment based largely on the publication mentioned above.
Let me know if you're interested in how I progress. I will post more on my progress if there is sufficient interest.
Take care all.
lol... I just have to ask what your field is. You don't have to answer if you don't want to.
LOL.... I will never be so sensitive as to be offended by any saying negative things about mathematics. The "mere proof" comment was a joke. As for pure math not being a science.... I have to laugh. My degree is in pure math because I can't stand application (physics, chemestry, engineering...). Throw some abstract algebra or topology at me and I will be quite happy. However, I do have to say that the cell phone you now carry would be worthless without the pure math field of fractal geometry. So, yes, even pure math is a science and has real world applications.
Maybe you should leave the math comments alone. You seem to be digging a deeper hole. ;-) Truly, I am not offended. Someone that is a math nerd has to get used to it.
Feel free to ask anything you want about AERD. That is why I hang around these boards... to help people.
God bless.
LOL.... I will never be so sensitive as to be offended by any saying negative things about mathematics. The "mere proof" comment was a joke. As for pure math not being a science.... I have to laugh. My degree is in pure math because I can't stand application (physics, chemestry, engineering...). Throw some abstract algebra or topology at me and I will be quite happy. However, I do have to say that the cell phone you now carry would be worthless without the pure math field of fractal geometry. So, yes, even pure math is a science and has real world applications.
Maybe you should leave the math comments alone. You seem to be digging a deeper hole. ;-) Truly, I am not offended. Someone that is a math nerd has to get used to it.
Feel free to ask anything you want about AERD. That is why I hang around these boards... to help people.
God bless.
I didn't mean any offense with the "mere proofs" comment. Just have had dealings with one too many who confuse (pure) math with science in my field and other fields. That has nothing to do with you! :)
Gotcha on the reason you thought it would be mychoplasma pn if anything, makes perfect sense.
I think it's great you look at asthma as a puzzle to figure, which is quite contrary to the usual line that one necessarily has to live with it. I have no doubt some do have to live with it, but I'd be surprised if many of us can't do something about it. I have all the signs of an infection, and it seems entirely reasonable to be treated for such. And I greatly appreciate your pointing out the possibility of 'aspirin' sensitivity, which I will puruse (indeed, I've already stopeed paracetamol use because of the question mark over it).
I hope you don't mind if I come back to you with questions about AERD if I have them. Thanks, as always. I'll certainly keep people posted on how I go on antibiotics in the long-term.
Gotcha on the reason you thought it would be mychoplasma pn if anything, makes perfect sense.
I think it's great you look at asthma as a puzzle to figure, which is quite contrary to the usual line that one necessarily has to live with it. I have no doubt some do have to live with it, but I'd be surprised if many of us can't do something about it. I have all the signs of an infection, and it seems entirely reasonable to be treated for such. And I greatly appreciate your pointing out the possibility of 'aspirin' sensitivity, which I will puruse (indeed, I've already stopeed paracetamol use because of the question mark over it).
I hope you don't mind if I come back to you with questions about AERD if I have them. Thanks, as always. I'll certainly keep people posted on how I go on antibiotics in the long-term.
lol... Shows just how much one can asume through a few posts on an internet board. So what did you think I studied? Mere proofs?!!!! That is insulting!! lol...
You are correct that we couldn't know 100% that I didn't have chlamydia pneumoniae. Diagnosis was based on history. I had a well documented repeated history of mycoplasma pneumonea over a thirteen year span - at least once a year. That is one of the major indicators for possible Neutrophilic asthma. I wasn"t really concerned about chlamydia. I fit the profile for the other. For me, the "numbers" were very good that treatment for Neutrophilic asthma caused by mycoplasma could be a root cause - a matter of probability.
I hope things work for you. Asthma can be a real puzzle to figure out.
God bless.
You are correct that we couldn't know 100% that I didn't have chlamydia pneumoniae. Diagnosis was based on history. I had a well documented repeated history of mycoplasma pneumonea over a thirteen year span - at least once a year. That is one of the major indicators for possible Neutrophilic asthma. I wasn"t really concerned about chlamydia. I fit the profile for the other. For me, the "numbers" were very good that treatment for Neutrophilic asthma caused by mycoplasma could be a root cause - a matter of probability.
I hope things work for you. Asthma can be a real puzzle to figure out.
God bless.
A mathematician huh? Wouldn't have pegged you as that. My PhD has quite a bit of mathematical/formal work in it. You can write just fine, no need to do mere proofs (I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with math but that's a whole different story :).
It is certainly encouraging that you had such a definitive response, even better that it was so quick. I'm sure you did have any bacterial infection sorted out given your response. Just for the reference of anyone reading, it's really difficult to tell whether someone has chlamydia pneumoniae. I'm sure you didn't, but I doubt you could possibly have known. Just for the record.
I'll see my GP and try to find someone around who can do the de-sensitization. It is certainly worth a try, and like you, I know how to take charge of my medical care. I have a PhD student who knows her immunology also, and has good connections.
I'll respectfully disagree that a deity helped your situation: clearly you've helped yourself. Granted, there are mysterious forces beyone what we can understand, but I personally reject any form of anthropomorphic deity in favour of pantheism and some of the most ancient of Buddhist traditions.
Four weeks of clarythromycin now. I will definitely be looking to keep the treatment going for up to eight weeks. The timing could work well to look into desensitization now, with a view to doing something in a few weeks if I don't start to improve.
Oh, my age fits with the profile, on the one hand, but I am skeptical the course of the disease can be that well understood. I certainly hope I don't end up with severe asthma to the extent you've characterized. I would think parsimony strongly favours a bacterial cause, but the real test will be my response to the treatment. I will let you know how I go with desensitization, and may be back with more answers. I think it's just great that you've pursued avenues to improvement and I say, now I'm optimistic on two fronts. Thanks once more bsmsl.
It is certainly encouraging that you had such a definitive response, even better that it was so quick. I'm sure you did have any bacterial infection sorted out given your response. Just for the reference of anyone reading, it's really difficult to tell whether someone has chlamydia pneumoniae. I'm sure you didn't, but I doubt you could possibly have known. Just for the record.
I'll see my GP and try to find someone around who can do the de-sensitization. It is certainly worth a try, and like you, I know how to take charge of my medical care. I have a PhD student who knows her immunology also, and has good connections.
I'll respectfully disagree that a deity helped your situation: clearly you've helped yourself. Granted, there are mysterious forces beyone what we can understand, but I personally reject any form of anthropomorphic deity in favour of pantheism and some of the most ancient of Buddhist traditions.
Four weeks of clarythromycin now. I will definitely be looking to keep the treatment going for up to eight weeks. The timing could work well to look into desensitization now, with a view to doing something in a few weeks if I don't start to improve.
Oh, my age fits with the profile, on the one hand, but I am skeptical the course of the disease can be that well understood. I certainly hope I don't end up with severe asthma to the extent you've characterized. I would think parsimony strongly favours a bacterial cause, but the real test will be my response to the treatment. I will let you know how I go with desensitization, and may be back with more answers. I think it's just great that you've pursued avenues to improvement and I say, now I'm optimistic on two fronts. Thanks once more bsmsl.
I almost didn't see your post nested among our long ones. I was just skimming right past it to refresh my memories.
Your husbands situation sounds different to me. Several things can be at play with him.
First, sulfite allergy. Sulfite are common chemicals in alcoholic drinks. He couls also be having an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients.
Second, GERD. Alcohol relaxes the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach. This allows stomach fluids, including but not limited to acids, to seep into the esophagus or actually reflux up into the back of the throat or even the sinuses. These refluxed fluids can then be inhaled causing asthma like symptoms.
Also, alcohol does harm the heart. He could be in early stages of heart disease whice can also mimic asthma.
I hope you find answers for him soon.
God bless.
Your husbands situation sounds different to me. Several things can be at play with him.
First, sulfite allergy. Sulfite are common chemicals in alcoholic drinks. He couls also be having an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients.
Second, GERD. Alcohol relaxes the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach. This allows stomach fluids, including but not limited to acids, to seep into the esophagus or actually reflux up into the back of the throat or even the sinuses. These refluxed fluids can then be inhaled causing asthma like symptoms.
Also, alcohol does harm the heart. He could be in early stages of heart disease whice can also mimic asthma.
I hope you find answers for him soon.
God bless.
Hello again,
Your are very right about the numbers. There are so many differing studies, and the disease is highly underdiagnosed. Acurate percentages are impossible at this point. I believe the numbers I referred to were from the latest studies I read. The general trend I observed from the studies I read is that the numbers are increasing as accurate diagnosis becomes more common.
What I read is that the disease usually begins in the mid to late 30's with chronic sinusitis with or without nasal polyps. Then, as the patient reaches their early to mid 40's, they develop asthma that is progressively worse and can (usually does) become prednisone dependent. Your 2000 to 2008 time span would fit that time line (sans your age which I don't know). The ages are just generalities. There are children with the disease and old people that deveop it as well.
My doctor and I were pretty sure that if I had Neutrophillic Asthma, it was from mycoplasma. We also had treatment for bronchiecstasis on the table. That treatment is a higher dose of clarythromyacin for a longer time. I believe the treatment I had was sufficient for that aspect of my asthma puzzle. I just had to get to the aspirin treatment at somepoint to really see long lasting improvement.
I will have to look into the salicylate community. I didn't know there was one. I am one SUCESS story. I stick around to share my story and encourage others.
I have been better since early May this year, about 3 1/2 months. I could tell a HUGE difference 5 days after the treatment. I was at a party with about 50 people in a small space. For the previous two to three years I had been HIGHLY reactive to ANY odor, perfumes and fragrances in particular. There were a number of what I had come to call "toxic clouds" in attendance, but I didn't not react. I see those same "toxic clouds" on a regular basis. I had always reacted to them before.
I had been looking for a job, but had given up because I did not feel I could be a reliable employee. I was sick too often. Three weeks post treatment, God landed a job in my lap. LITTERALLY!! One close friend ran into a mutual friend whose husband was desperate to hire someone with my skills. I had been continuing to improve since the treatment and had been three weeks without pred or antibiotics. I felt like I could be a reliable employee. He offered me the job and I took it.
haha... a PhD... Let's see. It took me 2 years to write my master's thesis. My degrees (BS and MS) are in mathematics (from a major state university - one of the top ten math depts in the USA when I was there). We write proofs, not papers!! While I would love the acedemic atmosphere of classes and tests (I actually do enjoy studying for and taking tests), I abhor writing papers!!! As much as I am on medical boards you would never guess that!! lol... I am really passionate about helping people with this disease. It can be so issolating. I like helping people feel that there is someone who can relate to them and their unique challenges, even in a small way. Knowing that someone in the world has some similarity to your situation is comforting.
I am also passionate about writing about my faith. My faith in God and His love and compassion are what saw me through the darkest times. He doesn't promise easy times. However, He does promise to go with us through the hard times. Over the last few years, everytime things were the darkest, and I was getting depressed, He was there with new hope, support, kind words... whatever I needed to carry me through. In His timing, He brought the aspirin treatment into the picture. The intervening time was very special to me as I learned a lot about myself, drew closer to HIm and learned a lot about showing compassion for others. I wouldn't trade the last 3 years for anything - now that I am on the other side... lol...
God bless.
Your are very right about the numbers. There are so many differing studies, and the disease is highly underdiagnosed. Acurate percentages are impossible at this point. I believe the numbers I referred to were from the latest studies I read. The general trend I observed from the studies I read is that the numbers are increasing as accurate diagnosis becomes more common.
What I read is that the disease usually begins in the mid to late 30's with chronic sinusitis with or without nasal polyps. Then, as the patient reaches their early to mid 40's, they develop asthma that is progressively worse and can (usually does) become prednisone dependent. Your 2000 to 2008 time span would fit that time line (sans your age which I don't know). The ages are just generalities. There are children with the disease and old people that deveop it as well.
My doctor and I were pretty sure that if I had Neutrophillic Asthma, it was from mycoplasma. We also had treatment for bronchiecstasis on the table. That treatment is a higher dose of clarythromyacin for a longer time. I believe the treatment I had was sufficient for that aspect of my asthma puzzle. I just had to get to the aspirin treatment at somepoint to really see long lasting improvement.
I will have to look into the salicylate community. I didn't know there was one. I am one SUCESS story. I stick around to share my story and encourage others.
I have been better since early May this year, about 3 1/2 months. I could tell a HUGE difference 5 days after the treatment. I was at a party with about 50 people in a small space. For the previous two to three years I had been HIGHLY reactive to ANY odor, perfumes and fragrances in particular. There were a number of what I had come to call "toxic clouds" in attendance, but I didn't not react. I see those same "toxic clouds" on a regular basis. I had always reacted to them before.
I had been looking for a job, but had given up because I did not feel I could be a reliable employee. I was sick too often. Three weeks post treatment, God landed a job in my lap. LITTERALLY!! One close friend ran into a mutual friend whose husband was desperate to hire someone with my skills. I had been continuing to improve since the treatment and had been three weeks without pred or antibiotics. I felt like I could be a reliable employee. He offered me the job and I took it.
haha... a PhD... Let's see. It took me 2 years to write my master's thesis. My degrees (BS and MS) are in mathematics (from a major state university - one of the top ten math depts in the USA when I was there). We write proofs, not papers!! While I would love the acedemic atmosphere of classes and tests (I actually do enjoy studying for and taking tests), I abhor writing papers!!! As much as I am on medical boards you would never guess that!! lol... I am really passionate about helping people with this disease. It can be so issolating. I like helping people feel that there is someone who can relate to them and their unique challenges, even in a small way. Knowing that someone in the world has some similarity to your situation is comforting.
I am also passionate about writing about my faith. My faith in God and His love and compassion are what saw me through the darkest times. He doesn't promise easy times. However, He does promise to go with us through the hard times. Over the last few years, everytime things were the darkest, and I was getting depressed, He was there with new hope, support, kind words... whatever I needed to carry me through. In His timing, He brought the aspirin treatment into the picture. The intervening time was very special to me as I learned a lot about myself, drew closer to HIm and learned a lot about showing compassion for others. I wouldn't trade the last 3 years for anything - now that I am on the other side... lol...
God bless.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Asthma Community
Find out what causes asthma, and how to take control of your symptoms.
Find out if your city is a top "allergy capital."
Find out which foods you should watch out for.
If you’re one of the 35 million Americans who suffer from hay fever, read on for what plants are to blame, where to find them and how to get relief.
Allergist Dr. Lily Pien answers Medhelp users' most pressing allergy-related questions
When you start sniffling and sneezing, you know spring has sprung. Check out these four natural remedies to nix spring allergies.
