COVID while on chemo and antibotics?

Posted by psue4 @psue4, Jan 6 4:58am

My daughter has Waldenstrom and going through a new infusion treatment. Recently she came down with a head cold and she took a covid test which came out positive. Without seeing her other then phone call or blood work he put her on 2 antibiotics and the covid meds. She is on several medications and the only one he told her to stop is her cholesterol med. I am very concerned about these antibiotics because I hear they should not be subscribed. Meds are Augmentin and Cipro plus covid meds. Her blood pressure was fine and fever already came down. PLEASE RESPOND IF YOU HAVE ANT ADVISE ASAP God bless you 1.5.24

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Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jan 6 8:18am

Hi @psue4, I don’t know which infusions your daughter is receiving but when we have chemo for a blood cancer/lymphoma it will lower the blood cell counts in the act of killing cancer cells. With a lower white blood count, the cells that host our defense mechanism, it leaves patients very vulnerable to infections…bacterial or viral.

While no one wants to be on these harsh antibiotics, when there is a risk of infection it’s imperative to set up a temporary immune system backup for the patient until their own white blood cells regenerate and can take over. This may mean taking antibiotics and antivirals. From my personal experience while being treated with AML, an aggressive form of leukemia. I was on 3 strong broad spectrum antibiotics, an antifungal and an antiviral med all at the same time while going through all the chemo. It was scary because I’d read so many nasty stories of the side effects of these antibiotics. And honestly, one of the antibiotics was worse than the chemo. If I was sleeping, I knew instantly when the nurse added a new bag to my IV pole because I could feel the change as it entered my blood stream. However, these nasty drugs all served to save my life and all the worries I had about side effects were unfounded. My Achilles tendon is just fine, there’s no heart issues, etc..
Sometimes the cure seems worse than the ailment but your daughter’s doctor is trying to prevent her from developing pneumonia or other complications due to her having Covid.

A suggestion is to have your daughter eat a good yogurt daily either 2 hours before or after her antibiotics to help keep her gut bacteria healthy. Even Activia yogurt would be a good product for her. It’s easy to find in any grocery store.

What is your daughter’s new treatment for WM?

psue4 | @psue4 | Jan 6 8:36am

Oh thank you so much for a quick response! She started Rituxin and chemo drug Bioxide. I know I spelled them wrong, sorry. I will resend correct spelling. TY again.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 6 9:27am

@psue4 I am on oral chemo for my multiple myeloma [Revlimid], and take a broad spectrum antibiotic three times a week.

My oncologist told me if I come down with Covid, to get in to take Pavloxid [I think that is how it is spelled] FYI I have kept up to date on all my vaccines.
Ginger

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 13 4:27pm

@psue4, how is your daughter doing?

psue4 | @psue4 | Jan 14 7:17am

Hi Colleen,
Thank you for reaching out. My daughter is doing okay. She is back to work and making each day the best day.
She started a 6 month infusion treatment. She is facing it stronger than I could ever imagine.
I will continue be her biggest supporter and will pray that a cure will be found for all with cancer!

Gods' blessings!