Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patients?

E

edan

Guest
Hi. I know I am going to sound like a complete worry wart - I guess I am.

During a tantrum my daughter ended up spitting up a little bit of blood. So...our primary care doctor called us in and noticed she had had a bit of a bloody nose.

She called the CF doc on call and relayed her symptoms, including the fact that our daughter has been complaining of "boogers" for the last few weeks. The CF doctor prescribed amoxicillin.

I personally don't think she has a bacterial infection, but since we are so new to this (diagnosed a few weeks ago), I reluctantly put her on the 14 day course.

Are there any bad side effects for cystic fibrosis patients on antibiotics that i should watch for? I.E. does yeast develop in weird places (like the lungs) or does anything else happen?

My daughter has only been on antibiotics once and she is 3 1/2. Needless to say we aren't fans of the stuff.

Thanks for your help.
 
E

edan

Guest
Hi. I know I am going to sound like a complete worry wart - I guess I am.

During a tantrum my daughter ended up spitting up a little bit of blood. So...our primary care doctor called us in and noticed she had had a bit of a bloody nose.

She called the CF doc on call and relayed her symptoms, including the fact that our daughter has been complaining of "boogers" for the last few weeks. The CF doctor prescribed amoxicillin.

I personally don't think she has a bacterial infection, but since we are so new to this (diagnosed a few weeks ago), I reluctantly put her on the 14 day course.

Are there any bad side effects for cystic fibrosis patients on antibiotics that i should watch for? I.E. does yeast develop in weird places (like the lungs) or does anything else happen?

My daughter has only been on antibiotics once and she is 3 1/2. Needless to say we aren't fans of the stuff.

Thanks for your help.
 
E

edan

Guest
Hi. I know I am going to sound like a complete worry wart - I guess I am.
<br />
<br />During a tantrum my daughter ended up spitting up a little bit of blood. So...our primary care doctor called us in and noticed she had had a bit of a bloody nose.
<br />
<br />She called the CF doc on call and relayed her symptoms, including the fact that our daughter has been complaining of "boogers" for the last few weeks. The CF doctor prescribed amoxicillin.
<br />
<br />I personally don't think she has a bacterial infection, but since we are so new to this (diagnosed a few weeks ago), I reluctantly put her on the 14 day course.
<br />
<br />Are there any bad side effects for cystic fibrosis patients on antibiotics that i should watch for? I.E. does yeast develop in weird places (like the lungs) or does anything else happen?
<br />
<br />My daughter has only been on antibiotics once and she is 3 1/2. Needless to say we aren't fans of the stuff.
<br />
<br />Thanks for your help.
 
K

kalebsmommy

New member
The antibiotic should come with a little paper that tells about the side effects or you can look up the side effects for the particular antibiotic online. My son is on Cipro right now and when he is taking it he doesn't sleep well and does get a diaper rash sometimes....but I haven't noticed anything serious. I'd just suggest you read the insert paper that comes with the antibiotic so you can be well informed on what your daughter is taking. If reading about it and knowing what to look for doesn't settle you then I'd call and talk about it with your doctor so you can ask him whatever you need to. If you are concerned further about what is going on with her I'd call and make an appointment to be seen by her CF doctor so he can have a better judgement. From what you've told us I think I'd definetly want to be seen by the CF doc and culture done etc.

I don't think your a worry wart at all, just concerned for your childs well being. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
K

kalebsmommy

New member
The antibiotic should come with a little paper that tells about the side effects or you can look up the side effects for the particular antibiotic online. My son is on Cipro right now and when he is taking it he doesn't sleep well and does get a diaper rash sometimes....but I haven't noticed anything serious. I'd just suggest you read the insert paper that comes with the antibiotic so you can be well informed on what your daughter is taking. If reading about it and knowing what to look for doesn't settle you then I'd call and talk about it with your doctor so you can ask him whatever you need to. If you are concerned further about what is going on with her I'd call and make an appointment to be seen by her CF doctor so he can have a better judgement. From what you've told us I think I'd definetly want to be seen by the CF doc and culture done etc.

I don't think your a worry wart at all, just concerned for your childs well being. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
K

kalebsmommy

New member
The antibiotic should come with a little paper that tells about the side effects or you can look up the side effects for the particular antibiotic online. My son is on Cipro right now and when he is taking it he doesn't sleep well and does get a diaper rash sometimes....but I haven't noticed anything serious. I'd just suggest you read the insert paper that comes with the antibiotic so you can be well informed on what your daughter is taking. If reading about it and knowing what to look for doesn't settle you then I'd call and talk about it with your doctor so you can ask him whatever you need to. If you are concerned further about what is going on with her I'd call and make an appointment to be seen by her CF doctor so he can have a better judgement. From what you've told us I think I'd definetly want to be seen by the CF doc and culture done etc.
<br />
<br />I don't think your a worry wart at all, just concerned for your childs well being. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
E

ehtansky21

New member
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

I would also be hesitant to give antibiotics. Is there other stuff going on besides the little bit of blood and buggers??
Do you know if your daughter has cultured any bugs at all???

I usually don't go for the antibiotics unless the kids have been sick for a while and are not showing signs of getting better.

If they are on antibiotics, I make sure to up their already high dose of probiotics. The antibiotics not only kill the yucky stuff, but they also kill the good bacteria in the gut. This is usually what causes all the tummy aches when on antibiotics.

blessings,
missa
 
E

ehtansky21

New member
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

I would also be hesitant to give antibiotics. Is there other stuff going on besides the little bit of blood and buggers??
Do you know if your daughter has cultured any bugs at all???

I usually don't go for the antibiotics unless the kids have been sick for a while and are not showing signs of getting better.

If they are on antibiotics, I make sure to up their already high dose of probiotics. The antibiotics not only kill the yucky stuff, but they also kill the good bacteria in the gut. This is usually what causes all the tummy aches when on antibiotics.

blessings,
missa
 
E

ehtansky21

New member
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

I would also be hesitant to give antibiotics. Is there other stuff going on besides the little bit of blood and buggers??
<br />Do you know if your daughter has cultured any bugs at all???
<br />
<br />I usually don't go for the antibiotics unless the kids have been sick for a while and are not showing signs of getting better.
<br />
<br />If they are on antibiotics, I make sure to up their already high dose of probiotics. The antibiotics not only kill the yucky stuff, but they also kill the good bacteria in the gut. This is usually what causes all the tummy aches when on antibiotics.
<br />
<br />blessings,
<br />missa
<br />
 
E

edan

Guest
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

Thanks for your reply.

I was actually worried she had cultured bugs because the primary doc sounded so worried on the 3 times she called me to leave messages. Since it was saturday and I couldn't get ahold of her I started the antibiotics. Finally i did get in touch with her and she had access to the labs my daughter had on wednesday at the cf clinic. Since we just found out about her diagnosis, they did all the baselines.

*Chest X-ray within normal limits.
*No cultured bugs.

I am so irritated i started the antibiotics because obviously now I have to finish them!

Thanks for the probiotics tips. I usually do the Pro-Bugs yogurts for her, so I'll up those as well.
 
E

edan

Guest
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

Thanks for your reply.

I was actually worried she had cultured bugs because the primary doc sounded so worried on the 3 times she called me to leave messages. Since it was saturday and I couldn't get ahold of her I started the antibiotics. Finally i did get in touch with her and she had access to the labs my daughter had on wednesday at the cf clinic. Since we just found out about her diagnosis, they did all the baselines.

*Chest X-ray within normal limits.
*No cultured bugs.

I am so irritated i started the antibiotics because obviously now I have to finish them!

Thanks for the probiotics tips. I usually do the Pro-Bugs yogurts for her, so I'll up those as well.
 
E

edan

Guest
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

Thanks for your reply.
<br />
<br />I was actually worried she had cultured bugs because the primary doc sounded so worried on the 3 times she called me to leave messages. Since it was saturday and I couldn't get ahold of her I started the antibiotics. Finally i did get in touch with her and she had access to the labs my daughter had on wednesday at the cf clinic. Since we just found out about her diagnosis, they did all the baselines.
<br />
<br />*Chest X-ray within normal limits.
<br />*No cultured bugs.
<br />
<br />I am so irritated i started the antibiotics because obviously now I have to finish them!
<br />
<br />Thanks for the probiotics tips. I usually do the Pro-Bugs yogurts for her, so I'll up those as well.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

I understand that you don't want to be overly loose with the prescription of abx, but since you are new to CF, it is good to know that antibiotics are a way of life for CF kiddos. Whenever they get a cold or something that isn't even bacterial, they have an increase of mucus that enables the perfect environment for the bugs they culture to multiply and take hold. Even though a kiddo has a clean culture, there is no sure way to know that they don't have bugs in the bottom of their lungs where a 3 year old can't get you a sample from. So the antibiotics are a way to keep those numbers down.

Our doctor likes to give my daughter 5-10 days (depending on the symptoms) to kick an illness on her own and then they step in with antibiotics because allowing any of the bugs to take hold and increase in numbers is the reason for lung decline in CF.

I know the non-CF mom in all of us jumps in to say "no need for abx" but its a new world with CF. And we always need to keep in mind that the increased CF life span is a direct result of all we've learned about using antibiotics and other meds.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

I understand that you don't want to be overly loose with the prescription of abx, but since you are new to CF, it is good to know that antibiotics are a way of life for CF kiddos. Whenever they get a cold or something that isn't even bacterial, they have an increase of mucus that enables the perfect environment for the bugs they culture to multiply and take hold. Even though a kiddo has a clean culture, there is no sure way to know that they don't have bugs in the bottom of their lungs where a 3 year old can't get you a sample from. So the antibiotics are a way to keep those numbers down.

Our doctor likes to give my daughter 5-10 days (depending on the symptoms) to kick an illness on her own and then they step in with antibiotics because allowing any of the bugs to take hold and increase in numbers is the reason for lung decline in CF.

I know the non-CF mom in all of us jumps in to say "no need for abx" but its a new world with CF. And we always need to keep in mind that the increased CF life span is a direct result of all we've learned about using antibiotics and other meds.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

I understand that you don't want to be overly loose with the prescription of abx, but since you are new to CF, it is good to know that antibiotics are a way of life for CF kiddos. Whenever they get a cold or something that isn't even bacterial, they have an increase of mucus that enables the perfect environment for the bugs they culture to multiply and take hold. Even though a kiddo has a clean culture, there is no sure way to know that they don't have bugs in the bottom of their lungs where a 3 year old can't get you a sample from. So the antibiotics are a way to keep those numbers down.
<br />
<br />Our doctor likes to give my daughter 5-10 days (depending on the symptoms) to kick an illness on her own and then they step in with antibiotics because allowing any of the bugs to take hold and increase in numbers is the reason for lung decline in CF.
<br />
<br />I know the non-CF mom in all of us jumps in to say "no need for abx" but its a new world with CF. And we always need to keep in mind that the increased CF life span is a direct result of all we've learned about using antibiotics and other meds.
 
E

edan

Guest
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

Thank you! As you obviously know first hand, this diagnosis has been completely overwhelming for us....trying to learn as much as I can as fast as I can to make the right decisions.

Best wishes and best of health to you and your family.
 
E

edan

Guest
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

Thank you! As you obviously know first hand, this diagnosis has been completely overwhelming for us....trying to learn as much as I can as fast as I can to make the right decisions.

Best wishes and best of health to you and your family.
 
E

edan

Guest
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

Thank you! As you obviously know first hand, this diagnosis has been completely overwhelming for us....trying to learn as much as I can as fast as I can to make the right decisions.
<br />
<br />Best wishes and best of health to you and your family.
 
P

petnurse

New member
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

I agree with Heather. My son is 10 months old and pretty healthy for the most part. He has been on 12 rounds of antibiotics. Any time these kids even get a cold, be prepared for antibiotics. Any illness that causs extra mucus (which is basically all respiratory issues) makes for the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. It would not be a problem for you and I because we would just cough it up, or the cilia in the lungs would move it up and out. Since CFers cannot do that, it just sits in the kungs and colonizes. the antibiotics help to keep the number from growing out of control and causing lung damage. Hope that all makes sense. :)
 
P

petnurse

New member
Downside of Antibiotics for CF Patient

I agree with Heather. My son is 10 months old and pretty healthy for the most part. He has been on 12 rounds of antibiotics. Any time these kids even get a cold, be prepared for antibiotics. Any illness that causs extra mucus (which is basically all respiratory issues) makes for the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. It would not be a problem for you and I because we would just cough it up, or the cilia in the lungs would move it up and out. Since CFers cannot do that, it just sits in the kungs and colonizes. the antibiotics help to keep the number from growing out of control and causing lung damage. Hope that all makes sense. :)
 
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