ANTIBIOTICS: How much is too much?

[Ryan]

My 10-year old and my 4-year old both do great when they are on antibiotics such as Bactrim or Zyvox. Their coughs almost disappear. However, 24 to 48 hours after they get off the antibiotics, their coughs return. They both only culture MRSA. What I want to know is what issues are caused by just putting them on these antibiotics every couple of weeks and are these issues bigger than not putting them on these antibiotics every two weeks. Thoughts?

 

[imported_Momto2]

Keep in mind antibiotics also kill good stuff, like helpful gut bacteria. For myself, I would consider it "too much" when the antibiotics began to negatively affect other systems, like the GI tract. There is also the major problem of the bacteria developing resistance. Rotating antibiotics used to be the norm for CF patients in the the 1970s, maybe even much later than that, but most docs stopped because of developing resistance. Although these drugs are helpful, they are also toxic, which is why they work. You might want to do some research on those particular antibiotics regarding long-term effects on the body, such as nutrition. Ultimately, what does your doc say?

 

[Ratatosk]

Are you asking about long term use? DS had similar issues when he was a baby -- culture H. Flu and would get sinus and ear infections. Would be on abx for 2 weeks and it'd come back. His doctor finally prescribed a higher dose, for a longer period of time --- 3-4 weeks rather than 2 to get rid of the sinus infection as he was concerned with it getting into his lungs.

DS' doctor is an infectious disease specialist and has all his patients on prophylactic abx such as cephalexin or dicloxicillan, mainly for staph. Azithromycin was added to the mix when ds was about 3, not as an abx, but for inflammation and to increase lung function. A plus was he no longer cultured H. Flu

 

[nmw0615]

I take a few antibiotics all the time. I am always on an inhaled antibiotic for pseudo. I've taken azithromycin three days a week for as long as I can remember. I contracted MRSA in July of 2013 and am now always taking an antibiotic pill. I take bactrim one month followed by doxycycline the next month. I also take probiotics to help balance my system out. This system has been able to keep me off IVs for 3 months at most. We're still working on the system, but at the beginning of my MRSA treatment, I was on IVs for 4-6 weeks, off for a week, and then had to start them up again.

It's all about a balance and trade-off. For me, my health declines so rapidly when I try to stop MRSA antibiotics, that any cost associated with their long term use is acceptable. I know that eventually, my MRSA is likely to build a resistance. However, being on those meds keeps me somewhat healthy and out of the hospital.

 

[Printer]

Too much is exceeding the amount that the Doctor told you to take.

 

[Ryan]

Thanks so much for all of your responses. The doctors have not told us no to any of our requests for antibiotics. I think I am leaning towards getting rid of some short-term problems today and worrying about the long-term problems tomorrow.

 

[ethan508]

I think with CF research were it is, doing everything you can to preserve lung function now is a good trade. Over my life they have discovered CF benefits from new antibiotics, new ways to deliver antibiotics, and better methods of using old antibiotics. The chronic use of antibiotics seems to be key in our increasing survival. This isn't to say resistance isn't a real thing, but like Printer said, take what the Dr gives you. Paradoxically, not taking enough antibiotics may lead to more resistance, as a short or weak course leaves behind too many survivors that are now able to adapt.