antibiotics...advice

[inthesquare]

I've been very ill with a lung infection which started out as a general cold 3 wks ago. Anyway, saw a doctor last Mon. Nice guy, spoke english.

He gave me Augmentin 1g (875mg amoxycillin trihydrate + 125mg clavulanic potassium) twice daily, (as well as 6 other tablets in little bags which I take sparingly).

Although the atibiotics have cleared my lungs maybe 30%, other things have kicked in like tremors. I am going back this Mon to get another round.

My question is, does anyone know if these antibiotics are just a low grade one or the strongest stuff I am able to get? I just feel that after nearly a week of taking them, I should be much better, atleast be able to go for a short walk.

If anyone can advise me, and I know it is just a general comment, thanks.

[PDLM]

Do you actually know that it's a bacterial infection not a viral one? If it's a virus then no antibiotics are going to do you much good.

[inthesquare]

PDLM, good question. The nice Dr asked me a few questions, listened to my lungs (very shy) and prescribed the antibiotics.

He must have concluded it wasn't viral but will ask him more details tomorrow. So, the answer to your question is no.

[sunniefaith]

I try not to take antibiotics unless it's abolutely neccessary. It kills the good bacteria in you as well.

[Sunfire]

Amoxycillin is a pretty standard antibiotic for relatively minor bacterial infections. Apparently doctors like to prescribe these for pretty much any minor condition.

[Kinesi]

The question is why is your immune system not handling this? Dr Sue Jamieson in Central may be able to help you with some natural alternatives for boosting your immune system. Antibiotics do kill both good and bad bacteria, it is beneficial to take probiotics at the same time to reduce the risk of candida(yeast overgrowth). There is a free demonstration on muscle response testing for the immune system and environmental sensitivities at Dr Sue Jamieson's clinic on the 18th & 25th Nov 2523 8490. It may be of interest to you.

[nina_70]

I've been prescribed Augmentin before and felt side effects too. It was very strong for me (cleared up the infection within a day, but had side-effects thereafter). The tremors you're having are pretty serious. It's listed as one of "rare" side effects of the drug. It's also possible you're having a minor allergic reaction (if you're sensitive to penicillin for example, you could have similar sensitivity to this drug). I would definitely advise you to go back to the doctor to discuss your side-effects.

See here for info on the drug...
http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/aug1038.htm

[inthesquare]

Thanks for your replies. Did 7 days on the antibiotics and maybe 50% better. Saw the doctor today and he stated that he did not believe it was viral. He also didn't think another round of antibiotics was necessarily going to be helpful. He put the tremmors down to another tablet he gave for air ways (steriods) and said there was no stronger antibiotic tablets available.

I know from my personal experience of using antibiotics (very few times by the way) I have always needed a double script. One dose never sufficed.

Then he said I could have TB. After I picked myself off the floor, he suggested Xrays. He then gave me a different, less stronger antibiotic with another 4 different types of tablets. I think his diagnosis is incorrect.

It's interesting, the Xrays are $150. The consultation with him today plus all meds totalled $250. This is very cheap in my opinion.

[PDLM]

Er, steroids are on my "never, ever" list - that was what killed many of the people who died during the SARS hysteria, and left many others who survived it permanently crippled with dissolved bones.

[freeier]

my doctor prescribe me augmentin regularly, the 1g one.
usually u can take the 7 tablet course or the full 14 tablet course. the full course is probably the max you can take.

it takes a while for the bacteria to be suppressed then your body to build back the health after all the infection and stuffs. check that your phlemg are not yellowish anymore (phlemg yellowish = bacteria infected).