preventative iv course?

[JoAnn]

Hi - We went for Jason's annual check at the cf clinic. He has had a pretty good year. His check up went well - xrays good, pft's up from last time, looks good, lungs sound good. We will await blood and culture results. Then whild J was out at the bathroom, the dr. mentioned that sometimes patients or their families choose to do a course of iv antibiotics while doing well - some studies have shown this to be proactive he said. He said it is an option. Then of course Jason walked back in the room and we changed topics. Jason has had one round of iv antibiotics - 2 years ago - other than upon diagnosis as a baby. His small airway numbers kept going down so we did a bronch and resulting ivs based on culture results.

I am confused. I remember when he was first diagnosed in 1999, it was common for CF Tune Ups. Then they seemed to stop doing them. Now the dr. says it is an option. Does anyone still do preventative iv's? Why and why not? Thanks for you responses.

 

[JoAnn]

Hi - We went for Jason's annual check at the cf clinic. He has had a pretty good year. His check up went well - xrays good, pft's up from last time, looks good, lungs sound good. We will await blood and culture results. Then whild J was out at the bathroom, the dr. mentioned that sometimes patients or their families choose to do a course of iv antibiotics while doing well - some studies have shown this to be proactive he said. He said it is an option. Then of course Jason walked back in the room and we changed topics. Jason has had one round of iv antibiotics - 2 years ago - other than upon diagnosis as a baby. His small airway numbers kept going down so we did a bronch and resulting ivs based on culture results.

I am confused. I remember when he was first diagnosed in 1999, it was common for CF Tune Ups. Then they seemed to stop doing them. Now the dr. says it is an option. Does anyone still do preventative iv's? Why and why not? Thanks for you responses.

 

[JoAnn]

Hi - We went for Jason's annual check at the cf clinic. He has had a pretty good year. His check up went well - xrays good, pft's up from last time, looks good, lungs sound good. We will await blood and culture results. Then whild J was out at the bathroom, the dr. mentioned that sometimes patients or their families choose to do a course of iv antibiotics while doing well - some studies have shown this to be proactive he said. He said it is an option. Then of course Jason walked back in the room and we changed topics. Jason has had one round of iv antibiotics - 2 years ago - other than upon diagnosis as a baby. His small airway numbers kept going down so we did a bronch and resulting ivs based on culture results.

I am confused. I remember when he was first diagnosed in 1999, it was common for CF Tune Ups. Then they seemed to stop doing them. Now the dr. says it is an option. Does anyone still do preventative iv's? Why and why not? Thanks for you responses.

 

[Emily65Roses]

It has its up and downs. I would honestly advise against it, and here's why. The more often you use a certain med, the less effective it becomes. If you go on IVs as a preventative measure, they won't be useful when he really <b>needs</b> them. As it is, they tend to save IVs as a last resort. Kind of like the "big guns." You try bullets first, then dynamite... and only when it's really bad do you pull out a nuke. I hope that made sense. Hah.

 

[Emily65Roses]

It has its up and downs. I would honestly advise against it, and here's why. The more often you use a certain med, the less effective it becomes. If you go on IVs as a preventative measure, they won't be useful when he really <b>needs</b> them. As it is, they tend to save IVs as a last resort. Kind of like the "big guns." You try bullets first, then dynamite... and only when it's really bad do you pull out a nuke. I hope that made sense. Hah.

 

[Emily65Roses]

It has its up and downs. I would honestly advise against it, and here's why. The more often you use a certain med, the less effective it becomes. If you go on IVs as a preventative measure, they won't be useful when he really <b>needs</b> them. As it is, they tend to save IVs as a last resort. Kind of like the "big guns." You try bullets first, then dynamite... and only when it's really bad do you pull out a nuke. I hope that made sense. Hah.

 

[JazzysMom]

I didnt do them as a child. I only got admitted when I was actually sick. During my teens I tried the preventative tune ups and ended up back in the hospital shortly after each time. I stopped doing that. Now when I go in its because I am having an exacerbation. I worry about the resistance to meds also as Emily said!

 

[JazzysMom]

I didnt do them as a child. I only got admitted when I was actually sick. During my teens I tried the preventative tune ups and ended up back in the hospital shortly after each time. I stopped doing that. Now when I go in its because I am having an exacerbation. I worry about the resistance to meds also as Emily said!

 

[JazzysMom]

I didnt do them as a child. I only got admitted when I was actually sick. During my teens I tried the preventative tune ups and ended up back in the hospital shortly after each time. I stopped doing that. Now when I go in its because I am having an exacerbation. I worry about the resistance to meds also as Emily said!

 

[lightNlife]

I found that the preventive tune-ups (provided they were not too close together) were wonderful for keeping me going longer and helping me stay infection free, especially when they were planned for the times of year when I typically began having problems with my symptoms anyway (for example, mid-November and late May).

It is reasonable to be wary of developing a resistance to a particular antibiotic. However, that usually takes place when an antibiotic is introduced into the body when there is nothing even brewing in term of infection. This is exactly why healthy people who over-use antibacterial soaps, hand wipes, etc. are at a greater risk of developing an antibacterial resistant infection at some point.

In the case of tune-ups and infections in CFers, what some may be calling "preventive" is, in fact, more along the lines of trying to "nip it in the bud" so to speak. Whether a course of IV therapy is called a "tune up" or not, is probably just a matter of terminology. I define a tune-up as anything that involves IVs (either at home or in the hospital), whereas things like inhaled TOBI, azithromycin are the true "preventative" measures.

Something to keep in mind when it comes to your individual situation is that it is truly, individual. Deciding the best option for care and medication, etc. can only be defined as what works for you. I've found that when a doctor makes a recommendation, it is typically because he/she has looked at what works for the other patients in his/her care and thinks that some of that may apply to you as an individual. Rarely does a doc make a blanket statement about treatment. In other words, the doc may be telling you that there is the option of IVs, but whether or not he/she recommends it as the right option for your situation. There is not single correct answer for everyone. Only options. It's up to you as a team (doc, patient/caregiver) to select the best option and most appropriate one.

 

[lightNlife]

I found that the preventive tune-ups (provided they were not too close together) were wonderful for keeping me going longer and helping me stay infection free, especially when they were planned for the times of year when I typically began having problems with my symptoms anyway (for example, mid-November and late May).

It is reasonable to be wary of developing a resistance to a particular antibiotic. However, that usually takes place when an antibiotic is introduced into the body when there is nothing even brewing in term of infection. This is exactly why healthy people who over-use antibacterial soaps, hand wipes, etc. are at a greater risk of developing an antibacterial resistant infection at some point.

In the case of tune-ups and infections in CFers, what some may be calling "preventive" is, in fact, more along the lines of trying to "nip it in the bud" so to speak. Whether a course of IV therapy is called a "tune up" or not, is probably just a matter of terminology. I define a tune-up as anything that involves IVs (either at home or in the hospital), whereas things like inhaled TOBI, azithromycin are the true "preventative" measures.

Something to keep in mind when it comes to your individual situation is that it is truly, individual. Deciding the best option for care and medication, etc. can only be defined as what works for you. I've found that when a doctor makes a recommendation, it is typically because he/she has looked at what works for the other patients in his/her care and thinks that some of that may apply to you as an individual. Rarely does a doc make a blanket statement about treatment. In other words, the doc may be telling you that there is the option of IVs, but whether or not he/she recommends it as the right option for your situation. There is not single correct answer for everyone. Only options. It's up to you as a team (doc, patient/caregiver) to select the best option and most appropriate one.

 

[lightNlife]

I found that the preventive tune-ups (provided they were not too close together) were wonderful for keeping me going longer and helping me stay infection free, especially when they were planned for the times of year when I typically began having problems with my symptoms anyway (for example, mid-November and late May).

It is reasonable to be wary of developing a resistance to a particular antibiotic. However, that usually takes place when an antibiotic is introduced into the body when there is nothing even brewing in term of infection. This is exactly why healthy people who over-use antibacterial soaps, hand wipes, etc. are at a greater risk of developing an antibacterial resistant infection at some point.

In the case of tune-ups and infections in CFers, what some may be calling "preventive" is, in fact, more along the lines of trying to "nip it in the bud" so to speak. Whether a course of IV therapy is called a "tune up" or not, is probably just a matter of terminology. I define a tune-up as anything that involves IVs (either at home or in the hospital), whereas things like inhaled TOBI, azithromycin are the true "preventative" measures.

Something to keep in mind when it comes to your individual situation is that it is truly, individual. Deciding the best option for care and medication, etc. can only be defined as what works for you. I've found that when a doctor makes a recommendation, it is typically because he/she has looked at what works for the other patients in his/her care and thinks that some of that may apply to you as an individual. Rarely does a doc make a blanket statement about treatment. In other words, the doc may be telling you that there is the option of IVs, but whether or not he/she recommends it as the right option for your situation. There is not single correct answer for everyone. Only options. It's up to you as a team (doc, patient/caregiver) to select the best option and most appropriate one.

 

[JoAnn]

Thanks for your responses. Emily - you always make me laugh when I need it the most! You have all helped to confirm some of my thoughts, give me other things to think about and most importantly info to help us decide what to do. I don't know what I would do without this outlet and information source. Thanks again for taking the time to help!

 

[JoAnn]

Thanks for your responses. Emily - you always make me laugh when I need it the most! You have all helped to confirm some of my thoughts, give me other things to think about and most importantly info to help us decide what to do. I don't know what I would do without this outlet and information source. Thanks again for taking the time to help!

 

[JoAnn]

Thanks for your responses. Emily - you always make me laugh when I need it the most! You have all helped to confirm some of my thoughts, give me other things to think about and most importantly info to help us decide what to do. I don't know what I would do without this outlet and information source. Thanks again for taking the time to help!

 

[beleache]

Hi Jo ann, i just finished a tune-up 6 days in hosp. 8 days home i.v. and honestly i went just about kicking and screaming... didn't feel sick, but it had been 6 months and my docs felt " it was Time" i complained the whole time, and my husband just kept saying "it needs to be done (so stop complaining). anyway here i am w/ my arm hurting from the picc line (went to dr. yesterday to check the arm, in case of a dvt., 3 hrs. later no dvt (thank you God) now hopefully i wont have to go in for at least 6 mos.? Joni... 55 y/o f w cf

 

[beleache]

Hi Jo ann, i just finished a tune-up 6 days in hosp. 8 days home i.v. and honestly i went just about kicking and screaming... didn't feel sick, but it had been 6 months and my docs felt " it was Time" i complained the whole time, and my husband just kept saying "it needs to be done (so stop complaining). anyway here i am w/ my arm hurting from the picc line (went to dr. yesterday to check the arm, in case of a dvt., 3 hrs. later no dvt (thank you God) now hopefully i wont have to go in for at least 6 mos.? Joni... 55 y/o f w cf

 

[beleache]

Hi Jo ann, i just finished a tune-up 6 days in hosp. 8 days home i.v. and honestly i went just about kicking and screaming... didn't feel sick, but it had been 6 months and my docs felt " it was Time" i complained the whole time, and my husband just kept saying "it needs to be done (so stop complaining). anyway here i am w/ my arm hurting from the picc line (went to dr. yesterday to check the arm, in case of a dvt., 3 hrs. later no dvt (thank you God) now hopefully i wont have to go in for at least 6 mos.? Joni... 55 y/o f w cf

 

[okok]

Personally, I would not do this. I'm not sure about IV antibiotics administered at home but i would be wary of putting my otherwise healthy child in the hospital where she would be more likely to actually get sick from some sort of noscomial infection. Not to mention the fact that broad spectrum antibiotics can have side effects of their own and may even have detrimental effects on the immune system. (Apparently 70% of your immune system is concentrated in your gut and antibiotics tend to disrupt the healthy, protective flora of the gut.)

So while i am completely uneducated about the research demonstrating this to be beneficial, if i were to even consider this technique i would insist that it would be at home NOT in the hospital.

Also i think emily made some good points about antibiotic resistince.

 

[okok]

Personally, I would not do this. I'm not sure about IV antibiotics administered at home but i would be wary of putting my otherwise healthy child in the hospital where she would be more likely to actually get sick from some sort of noscomial infection. Not to mention the fact that broad spectrum antibiotics can have side effects of their own and may even have detrimental effects on the immune system. (Apparently 70% of your immune system is concentrated in your gut and antibiotics tend to disrupt the healthy, protective flora of the gut.)

So while i am completely uneducated about the research demonstrating this to be beneficial, if i were to even consider this technique i would insist that it would be at home NOT in the hospital.

Also i think emily made some good points about antibiotic resistince.