Chills after Therapy

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Lilith

New member
Hello, guys (and gals) ^_^

I wondered if anyone else gets chills/feverish symptoms after they do their treatments. I don't get them all the time, but if I've missed a few days of my regimen (say, 3-5), when I restart I get a headache and chills. I've taken my temperature, thinking it was a fever, but the thermometer says I'm normal! I don't get it. Here's my lineup, if anyone needs to know to answer this.

1) Normal albuterol
2) Pulmosyme (I think I'm spelling that wrong, but...)
3) Acapella (for chest PT's, for those who have no idea what that is, it replaced the Flutter Valve)
4) Colistin
5) Advair (1 puff)
6) Saltwater nasal lavage (15 cc's each nostril)
7) Flonase (2 squirts each nostril)

I do the same routine at night, minus the Pulmosyme, but the chills seem to be worse in the morning. All I feel like doing after that is lying down, and I end up sleeping for 2-3 hours! Does anyone else experience this, and do you know why?? Is it something I should be overly concerned about, or is it just because I'm a slacker sometimes and that's my punishment? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks again.
 
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princessjdc

New member
Ive never experienced anything like that, and it looks like we take the same treatment excpet I do the vest and Tobi(not Acapella and Collistin, that is coly mycin, right?) If it is coly mycin, I didnt get along very well with it, it made me short of breath and I didnt like that very well, so they switched me to Tobi. You probably should ask your doctor about it. You probably shouldnt skip any of your treatments either, especially pulmozyme, just a little advise, maybe once and a blue moon it would be alright to skip some of it but not all of it. I sometimes skip my vest at night if it is too late.
 
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Emily65Roses

New member
Not that it matters, but since you made note of it... It's Pulmozyme. You were close. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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Lilith

New member
Thanks, Emily, for the correction ^_^ Actually, I've been on Tobi before but my doctor switched me to Colistin. He said it would be better for me than the Tobi because of the organisms I was growing out on my cultures. I seem to recall experiencing the chills then, too, but not as badly. And yes, I know I shouldn't skip my treatments, but...I've always been really bad at that. Not an excuse, I know, but... ^_^;
 
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wallflower

New member
I'm going to take a stab in the dark on this, but because you are not taking your treatments regulary, you are not giving your meds a proper chance of attacking your bugs. So when you do go back to doing them, your body has to start all over - the chills are an indication of an infection and your body fighting it - do you get night sweats? If so, that is another indication that your body is fighting infection.

I know it sucks, and there is so many more fun things to do, but you really need to do ALL your treatments!!!! Even though you may feel the same if you do or don't do them, not doing them DOES affect your lungs. By the time you notice the difference down the road, you will be kicking yourself in the *** for not taking better care of yourself.

When you miss your Pulmozyme, you are increasing your chances of becoming immune to it and making it useless for you. Are you honest with your doctor on how often you take them? It makes a big difference when they are analyzing your cultures to see what meds you should be on.

Also, on a personal note, I wasn't real great about doing all my treatments every day either, and my pfts continued to drop just a little each time. The last time I was in I made a committment to my doctor that I would do all of my treatments for the next months visit. It was a pain, but I did it, and at my next visit I was a little nervous because I felt the same as I did before, but my pfts soared! I was back up to where I was at the beginning of the year. That was the best feeling in the world, and a real eye opener to me on how important it is to stay on top of things.

If you just can't seem to do it on your own, get someone to help you - I have my boyfriend call me in the morning to make sure I am awake so I can get my morning one in (believe it or not, I sleep through 4 alarms <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

Anyway, I know I'm not your mom and it's all up to you, but do your treatments! I want to see you posting at 40 and in great health!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Barb 33/cf
 
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Lilith

New member
Thanks, Barb--and everyone else--for your input. I haven't had any night sweats, but you're probably right about the infection. I'm trying to take better care of myself, but I haven't had a lot of time to make sure I get it all done lately. There was a death in the family very recently (non-CF related), so I've been trying to help with that. But I've made an oath to get back on track, so don't worry. I'll be around for a long time. I'm too much of a pain in the *** to get knocked out so quickly ^_^
 
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julie

New member
I am sure it has already been mentioned but I didn't see it so I figured i'd share and I am sure most people know it, but I think it's worth mentioning. Skipping even 1 day of antibiotics can increase your risk of developing resistance to the medications ad can make this resistance form faster.

In addition to that, your body goes into a "shock" after not using medicaitons for a while (even 1 or 2 days) or on a consistent basis (30 days on, 30 days off, 30 days on...) because your body has to adapt and get use to them again, especially with meds like colistin or Tobi (this seems to be a big thing with antibiotics). Some people reacty by getting sleepy or fatigued, some people get dry mouth, some people get the chills (as you mentioned).
 
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wallflower

New member
Sorry people, I was thinking Pulmozyme was an antibotic, but it doesn't look like it is? If it is, then my original statement stands <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
My memory of it is pretty vague - I was on it as a teen, but taken off as it caused bleeding in my lungs.

Anyway, I am taking a second stab at your chills, Lilith, as I reread the posts. Is it possible that the chills are a side affect or allergic reaction to one of the meds you are on? The reason I am wondering is that you said you had the chills before with the colistin, but they are worse now. Regardless, it doesn't sound right that you should be getting them. It doesn't hurt to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Sorry to hear about your loss<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
 
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