Throat Infection - need ideas

[DJT]

I went to the doctor on October 18 with a terrible cough, was diagnosed with bronchitis and given Amoxicillin 875 mg. I took all of that and still had the horrible cough so much so that I had to sit up all night with pillows propped against my back to keep my airway from being clogged with mucous. I ended up in the hospital where I had breathing tests and treatments and a CT scan from head down and nothing was found, had IV antibiotics while in the hospital for two days. I also had a "raw" throat that was red the whole time. Got home from the hospital and got worse so the doctor changed my antibiotic to Factive. I took that for a couple of days and then my throat swelled. My doctor sent me directly to an ENT doc who said my throat was 80% closed and put me back in the hospital. More IV antibiotics. A throat culture showed mixed flora. Went home after three days and was put on Leviquin which also caused my throat to swell so I was then put on Omnicef. I went back to the ENT last week and my throat was still infected and not much better at all. Today my throat is still just as red as ever and I just can't seem to get it cleared up.

We're supposed to go to WDW on December 9th for seven days, staying at ASMusic. It's a birthday trip for me. My DH, my sister and her DH are going. I'm really beginning to get concerned that I'm not going to be able to make the trip. I've gained a little strength in my body but my throat is such a mess and I cough at night still. I am on Omniceff, Allegra D, Singulair, Aciphex, Mucinex, Benadryl and an antiviral for the Shingles I got from all of this sickness.

Does anyone know of ANYTHING at all I can try on my own to rid myself of this infected throat? I have been off work since October 31st and I am getting so discouraged with this situation. Thanks for any advice.

Donna

 

[DVC Jen]

I don't have any ideas or suggestions, but I am so sorry you are going through all of this and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Chuck S]

If I were that sick, I'd stay home. Your immune system is already working overtime, and then you may contract something else from all the visitors at WDW. My Mom contracted Pneumonia last June, and was in the Celebration hospital two days.
You don't want to make matters worse.

 

[lg3]

Don't know if this will help or not: I had a terrible cough for 6 wks. After a total of 9 weeks, I'm still not 100%, but much better. Dr still doesn't know what the problem is/was - obviously some sort of infection, and perhaps mono. I was exhausted all the time. At the beginning she prescribed a Z-pak, which did nothing. After many blood tests later, we tried Leviquin and Nasonex. I don't know if they helped, but didn't hurt. My throat is still a little sore, but nothing like it was before and not nearly as much coughing. Hope you feel better!!

 

[Tinijocaro]

Wow- you've been on a lot of antibiotics! That can really mess up your system in some interesting ways. Have you ever heard of Probiotics? You shld really be taking them to help prevent some of the damage that antibiotics will cause. Do a search if you aren't familiar with them. Who knows why your throat is still sore, but don't rule out the excessive antibiotics as a possible cause.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Here is a link that explains how probiotics work:

http://www.consciouschoice.com/1999/cc1208/probiotics1208.html

Probiotics
Nourishing Our Friendly Flora
by Laura Hoofnagle

For some of us, especially those trapped in traditional Western medical modes of thinking, bacteria is a dirty word. Bacteria cause disease, right? Hence the antibacterial hygiene products and antibiotics our society consumes in ever-growing quantities.

Wrong. Some bacteria cause disease, others, if nourished properly, can go a long way toward preventing it.

By the time we are four days old, our digestive systems are loaded with bacteria. Because the stomach is highly acidic, most bacteria settle in the small and large intestines, and are present in particularly large quantities in the colon.

Under normal circumstances, bacteria in the digestive system live in balance and harmony, but factors such as poor diets and overuse of a variety of medications can throw the system off balance and lead to a host of difficulties. Proper protection and nourishment of our healthy bacteria, then, are very important to good overall health.

What are probiotics and what do they do?

It has been said that there are more bacteria in our digestive systems than there are cells in our body. The colon alone contains trillions of bacterial cells. Bacterial cells can be classified in one of four hundred to five hundred types — both healthy and dangerous. Twenty types make up three-quarters of the total and are present in large amounts.

The two strains of bacteria recognized as most important to health are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Lactobacilli (which include lactobacillus acidophilus and lactobacillus casei, among many others) are concentrated in the small intestine and bifidobacteria reside primarily in the large intestine — mainly the colon. Our relationship with these bacteria can be described as symbiotic — we provide them with warm dark environments where they can flourish, and they provide us with disease protection and improved health.

The Anti-antibiotics

It is now known that where antibiotics are concerned, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Harmful bacteria are shrewd and wily organisms, and over time will mutate until they become resistant to the particular strain of antibiotics which formerly kept them under control. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics actually encourage the mutation process, since they in effect give the harmful bacteria "practice" at resisting substances they must "learn" to overcome.

Probiotics go a step further (and in the opposite direction) than antibiotics, in a gentler and more discerning way. While antibiotics mow down every organism in their path, probiotics support the growth of good, healthy probiotic bacteria, which then can not only fight but actually prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms, whether old, new, or mutated. Probiotics produce natural antibiotic compounds or bacteriocins, proteins that kill a much narrower range of organisms — and are often more lethal to the harmful ones — than commercial antibiotics. Probiotics can also stimulate the immune system’s production of white blood cells.

 

[DJT]

Thanks for the info about probiotics. Yes, I've heard of them and have even taken them in the past. Right now I'm trying to eat Activia to help with that just a bit. I plan to take probiotics, too. I was on a Z pack also and I know that with so many antibiotics that I am probably resistant to them and have probably killed off all the good bacteria. My doctor told me to take Juice Plus which I am doing now to help get my immune system back on track. I just wish this awful throat would clear up. I talked to a pharmacist today and he said to just take a good vitamin because if I take extra C, I might get too much and that would not be good for my kidneys so I guess I'll stick with the Juice Plus and then go with a good vitamin after that. I've never seen anything like this. It's been just awful.

 

[NAB]

I think I am like you . I have this cough that won't go away. I too sleep sitting up sometimes. Do you throw your mucus up though? Because that is what happens to me. I cough until I throw up. The stuff is clear though. I haven't had any test done . At first they said it was allergies Now they said it was Bronchitis. I had this off and on before but no answers either. I too wish it would go away.


--

 

[DJT]

NAB,

I have had the cough since October 16th. For the first week I would get so much mucus when I would fall asleep that it would cover my airway and I would wake up gasping for air and coughing until I would cough it up so I could breathe. That has been the most frightening part of all of this.

Just last night while sleeping, I started coughing and coughed until I threw the mucus up. That's not the first time either. Mine is clear also. In fact, the doctors have said I no longer have bronchitis and my lungs are clear so all of this now is from my throat and/or drainage.

I feel for you. It's the worst thing I have ever been through. I just want to get rid of it so I can get my life back to normal.

Donna

 

[DawnCt1]

Here is a link that explains how probiotics work:

http://www.consciouschoice.com/1999/cc1208/probiotics1208.html

Probiotics
Nourishing Our Friendly Flora
by Laura Hoofnagle

THERE IS NO CLINICAL OR BENEFICIAL USE FOR PROBIOTICS for a sore throat. They have an important role to play in intestinal disease, including crohns but NOT for sore throats. She should continue to follow the advice of her ENT and/or consult an infectious disease specialist. There are no home remedies that can combat bacterial infections and left untreated, there can be serious consequences.

 

[DawnCt1]

Have you been checked for mononucleosis??

 

[Tinijocaro]

THERE IS NO CLINICAL OR BENEFICIAL USE FOR PROBIOTICS for a sore throat. They have an important role to play in intestinal disease, including crohns but NOT for sore throats. She should continue to follow the advice of her ENT and/or consult an infectious disease specialist. There are no home remedies that can combat bacterial infections and left untreated, there can be serious consequences.

I never said that probiotics will cure a sore throat. Reread my post. Antibiotics kill off good bacteria too- the ones meant to fight off infections. The overuse of antibiotics could be preventing her body from producing the right bacteria to heal whatever is going wrong in her throat. The probiotics will allow her body to have the right balance of good bacteria so her body can heal itself.

 

[starwood]

I would take Zicam (over the counter) and an herbal tea with Echineachea. These will both boost you immune system. The Zicam will help you get over this faster.

 

[DawnCt1]

I never said that probiotics will cure a sore throat. Reread my post. Antibiotics kill off good bacteria too- the ones meant to fight off infections. The overuse of antibiotics could be preventing her body from producing the right bacteria to heal whatever is going wrong in her throat. The probiotics will allow her body to have the right balance of good bacteria so her body can heal itself.

we use probiotics for my son's crohns disease so i am well aware of their role but whatever she does needs to be in conjunction with her docs. it is highly unlikely that probiotics will have any impact on her throat.

 

[Christine]

Back in April I had the "cough that wouldn't go away". I went to the doctor several times and he refused to treat me with antibiotics as he felt it was probably viral. I finally broke down and took one after coughing for well over one month. Guess what? They made everything worse. Later on, the doctor and I discussed that I probably had pertussis (whooping cough) which is definitely on the rise. No lie, I coughed for 6 months.

I don't know what you have but it sounds like all the antibiotics are doing is making it worse. Have you tested positive for strep? If not, why would you keep taking antibiotics. Is your throat swelling due to infection or is it reactions to the medications?

 

[DJT]

My throat culture came back saying my throat had "mixed flora" which included strep, which is why I've been on antibiotics.

I know the probiotics won't help my throat but will help my intestinal tract, which needs all the help it can get, too, as the antibiotics have given me diarrhea.

What type of Ziacam? I have the nasal spray. Is there another type you think I should be using? I haven't used the nasal spray, as I haven't really had any nasal issues.

My throat swelled due to taking Factive first and then later Leviquin.

Donna

 

[starwood]

My throat culture came back saying my throat had "mixed flora" which included strep, which is why I've been on antibiotics.

I know the probiotics won't help my throat but will help my intestinal tract, which needs all the help it can get, too, as the antibiotics have given me diarrhea.

What type of Ziacam? I have the nasal spray. Is there another type you think I should be using? I haven't used the nasal spray, as I haven't really had any nasal issues.

My throat swelled due to taking Factive first and then later Leviquin.

Donna

The nasal spray is just a delivery method. It is to strengthen your immune system and help fight off any cold you may have.

 

[DJT]

I have not been tested for mono but if I had mono, as far as I know nothing can be done for that except rest and resting is what I'm doing anyway.

Donna