stay on low dose antibiotic indefinitely for chronic cough.

Posted by mirsy @mirsy, Mar 29 9:55pm

My 80 yr old husband has bronchiectasis and the chronic cough is driving him nuts. He was recently on an antibiotic twice and each time the coughing stopped and it was wonderful for him. Is it possible he could stay on a low dose of an antibiotic indefinitely to keep cough from coming back?

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jerseyeaglegirl | @jerseyeaglegirl | Mar 31 11:03am

How do you test for NTM?

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scoop | @scoop | Mar 31 11:40am

In reply to @jerseyeaglegirl "How do you test for NTM?" + (show)

Sputum sample (or bronchoalveolar lavage via bronchoscopy if someone cannot produce sputum), CT scan, and clinical symptoms all aid in the process of a making a diagnosis.

lenorj | @lenorj | Mar 31 1:07pm

In reply to @sueinmn "My ID doc attributed the reduced cough to the anti-inflammatory effect of many antibiotics. In other..." + (show)

I believe that is the case. The antibiotic is treating symptoms not any particular infection.

irene5 Irene Estes | @irene5 | Mar 31 1:40pm

In reply to @scoop "Research has shown that low-dose azithromycin is effective in managing bronchiectasis without NTM, with promising results...." + (show)

Yes, azithromycin is a good one to be on prophylactically for non NTM bronchiectasis. It has made a difference. My husband is on that 3times per week as he has sarcoid and COPD . I am on Levofloxacin 2times a week as I have NTM and bronchiectasis. I am starting my second year of it. Irene5

scoop | @scoop | Mar 31 2:23pm

In reply to @irene5 "Yes, azithromycin is a good one to be on prophylactically for non NTM bronchiectasis. It has..." + (show)

That's interesting about the Levofloxacin for NTM. Were you ever on the big 3?

irene5 Irene Estes | @irene5 | Mar 31 3:05pm

In reply to @scoop "That's interesting about the Levofloxacin for NTM. Were you ever on the big 3?" + (show)

Yes - forever. I graduated to several other lung invaders after MAC . So I should probably clarify by saying that Levoquin is not for MAC specifically but to protect me or rather keep my bronchiectasis from worsening by keeping other potential invaders at bay . And I have to nebulize as well. Unfortunately a person can be cured of MAC only to have other pathogens take its place. ( sounds like an “AIR” B&B for lung invaders.) Anything we can do to keep them at bay makes sense. Does that make sense? Irene5

jnmy | @jnmy | Apr 1 1:14pm

In reply to @mirsy "Maybe treatment w an antibiotic is necessary for some people to stop the coughing. Thanks for..." + (show)

@mirsy Azithromycin, taken at a low dose, 250 per day (or 500 mg a day, if necessary), three times a week can cut back on inflammation. It worked for me. I used 250 mg for about 4-5 months. I tolerated it well. Everyone reacts differently, of course.

Hopefully it would reduce your husband’s coughing episodes. With other health issues to contend with, one’s quality of life is important to factor in as well.