Pseudomonas infections

Did the pulmonologist order sensitivity testing? If not, maybe ask for it, or see and infectious disease doctor.

Do you mean sensitivity of the bacteria to the drug?

@sarahlynn1960 yes.

hi. @sarahlynn1960 I have Pseudomonas aeruginosa. I was originally treated with Ciproflaxin, a sister drug of Levofloxacin. I was afraid of taking it because of known side effects, and for the 2-week course, I stopped all exercise and limited walking. My pharmacist warned me of tendon ruptures, but my Dr never mentioned it. I was also prescribed Tobramycin at the same time to be inhaled but could only get through about 6 days of that as it made me cough my head off and I felt as though my throat was closing. The fluoroquinolones, Cipro, Levo, etc., are the same family of drugs and can all have the tendon side effects, as well as other side effects that are more startling. I did fine with the first course and felt great afterwards. I have since learned that my Pseudomonas are probably colonized and I will not be able to rid myself of them but only "knock them back". About a year after my first experience with fluoroquinolones, I was then prescribed another 2 week course of Cipro. About 6 days into the treatment, my leg tendons and elbow tendon started to hurt. I immediately stopped treatment but did wind up with tendonitis in areas of the foot and leg from that abbreviated usage. I have hesitated to relate this as most people do not have side effects. I do follow a group on FB regarding fluroquinolones and there can be some long-term serious side effects...this is not said to scare you but to make you aware that a small portion of patients can react this way. These drugs have Black Box Warnings, to be used as a drug of last resort but it seems that most doctors do not follow this warning. My current Doc at a teaching hospital has said that next time I need a treatment, it will be Azithromycin. If I had it all to do over, I would skip the fluoroquinolones and take an alternative. I also believe that the Tobramycin can be an effective alternative, but I'm not sure if it is a standalone drug. I also know that Meropenem IV can be used but requires hospitalization. A simple google search reveals that the most common drugs used for mucoid pseudomonas are levofloxacin and ceftadidime. First time for me hearing of ceftadidime. ?? If I were you, I would consider a second opinion. Good luck to you.
Kate

Sorry to hear about your experience with the antibiotics. I also have recurring Pseudonomos My ob/gyn found it. Every year it acts up with light spotting and I was put on 500 mg twice daily of Cipro. That would stop the spotting but it would always come back after a year Did this in 2023 and 2024. This year it’s back but my infectious disease Dr decided it’s colonized and I should not have any treatment with antibiotics unless I get more symptoms such as fever, etc. he’s worried about developing a resistance to the antibiotics. He also said that 500 mg of Cipro that the ob/gyn prescribed isn’t the correct dose. It needed to be a higher dose. If I develop additional symptoms treatment would be IV antibiotics.

You can consider IV options instead of the Levaquin. You do not necessarily need hospitalization for it. I have done the Meropenem as an out patient at my local hospital.

@positivethinking Hello. 500 mg (2x daily) of Cipro was prescribed for Pseudo infection in the lungs and nasal passages for 2 weeks. My second go-round was a script for the same but was filled incorrectly by the pharmacy at 250 mg 2X a day. (much too low) Initially when I discovered the discrepancy, I thought it was the Dr's mistake but the pharmacy said they filled it incorrectly. I think it was lucky for me as my side effects might have been more severe. Seems one needs to always be double-checking everything these days. I hope you do well on the IV antibiotics. Darn Germs!! Best to you,
Kate

I was prescribed Levaquin practically every few months and usually 2 weeks at a time for several years before the Bronchiestasis was diagnosed. I have Achilles tendonitis that is next to impossible to heal. I think it’s related because it is a known side effect. At the same time my sister has taken it as much as me and has no tendinitis issues.

All of this is great info! I plan to find out which antibiotics my bacteria are sensitive to. I’m on my way to National Jewish Hospital now as a matter of fact! (My testing and appointments start Monday and end the next Monday.)
Please do keep sharing which meds ya’ll have used to knock your pseudomonas back, and what side effects you experienced. It’s very helpful!

Hi…I have Psuedomonas now in my sinuses . I had 4 infections last year , UTI, Lung, Eye and Sinus and now 2 again this year . I was referred to Infectious disease center and put on IV Zosyn last year and now. I have a ruptured Achilles tendon and I’ve had no problems other than the ankle swelling but that normal when I’m on my feet too much .i also have Scoliosis lower back and chronic bursitis both shoulders and hips ( I’m 85 yrs old) but again don’t feel and side affects in those areas from the IV treatment. The
Psuedomonas has now colonized so it will be interesting as to whether this IV treatment eradicates it or makes it go dormant . It’s not easy going through all this is it. All the best , Kay B.