will start z pack today/worried

[deb30]

Hi all! The never-ending virus from Hades that began Nov. 6, 2023 and still lingers in the form of a sinus infection will now be treated with a z pack. The bronchitis cleared on it's own in about 2 1/2 months, but the sinusitis is still there. I finally asked the doctor for a sputum culture since I cough up yucky looking stuff in the morning and obvious still have gunky sinuses. The nurse called this morning and said it was positive for H Flu? The doctor wanted to put me on Biaxin (never took it in my life) or a z pack. I told him to go with the z pack since I've tolerated it before-- but that was before the dreaded C Diff adventure of the winter of '22-'23. I usually got about 1 day of D with the z pack. The infection has got to be treated he says and we know through the culture what the bacteria is, so I guess I have to take it. I will do my 2 Florastor 2x a day and add VSL#3. I'm supposed to leave on a cruise Feb. 22..... the first real vacation since my elderly dad died in a kitchen fire last April...... and I could sure use a break from my mom. He said that doxycycline would treat it too (and I did tolerate 10 days of that in early December thinking it would cure the bronchitis--NOT), but everything I read about doxycycline and intercranial head pressure scares the bejeezus out of me. IDK, what have you heard-- is doxycycline a lower offender than a zpack? or are the about equal on the offender list? I'm thinking they're about equal. And right before vacation..... AAARGH!!!!!

[NanciT]

There are many on the site that have taken a Z PAK with no issues. Sadly we all worry about it......but sometimes an antibiotic is necessary.

Hoping all goes well.... lots of fluids and rest!

Feel better soon

NanciT

[beth22]

Both Z pak and doxy have their side effects. I can't take z pak because I have heart problems and it can cause them or make them worse. I have not had issues with doxy, but I think they are about equal in terms of possible relapse. Neither is a high offender.

[deb30]

Thank you both for your reassuring words! I am certainly glad that I had the sputum culture done so that the antibiotic isn't a shot in the dark. I'm on day 3 of a 5 day pack- so far so good (although I hear my tummy gurgling a bit.) I saw the orthopedic doctor today about a hip replacement that I'll be needing soon. He says he uses clindamycin for about 3 days to prevent infection in the new joint. Noooooo!!!! I told him emphatically about the C Diff and he says that we'll monitor the situation and he'll even give me his cell number to call any time day or night. That's lovely, but that cell number and closely watching won't prevent a recurrence. I'm putting it off until at least August and then I'll consult with my gastroenterologist about next steps. Getting old is not for the faint of heart!

[NanciT]

I would ask the surgeon to consult with a Infectious disease specialist. I recently was ill and if I needed an antibiotic my GI planned to consult with mine.

Feel better soon!

NanciT

[beth22]

I know people who have had a hip replacement and were given different antibiotics. There must be something else. What about people who are allergic to clindamycin? I would insist he give you an alternative.