What's your opinion on antibiotics?

[devilish innocent]

I developed allergies to amoxicillin the last time I went on it and had to endure a bad case of hives.

 

I also don't like using antibiotics unless they're absolutely necessary because the more people use them, the more the microorganisms become resistant to them. Then when people truly need them, they're less likely to work.

 

Make sure you're careful about how you dispose of the medicine as well if you're not using it since sending antibiotics back into the environment can have unintended consequences as well. Either follow the disposal instructions on the label or contact your pharmacist about how to get rid of it.

[BOREDouttaMymind]

ah yes, the ignorance of humanity.

 

80% of doctors prescribe them when we don't need them. can you say OOPS, now every disease is immune to them! yay! black plague anyone?

 

it happens to everyone. my doc gave me 3 weeks of antibiotics for a cold. I kept them, but didn't take it. and yay! im fine!

 

take care of yourself for 3 more days, see how you feel. if worse, take them.

 

but drink lots of tea and honey and water.

 

if you go run 4 miles and then question why you still feel sick, that's on you.

[FitChick]

I took a strong antibiotic for an infected tooth when I had a root canal about three weeks ago. I hadn't taken an antibiotic for anything in many years, preferring natural methods. It upset my digestive system and now I have to take probiotics.

 

Take 1000mg of vitamin C (you can get the time release cheaply at Trader Joe's). I take that AM and PM with meals on a daily basis and never get sick. When everyone had the flu, I added in another dose at lunch time. Vitamin C fights infection. Drink plenty of liquids so your mucus is watery and can flush the germs out.

 

Also avoid wheat, sugar and dairy which will make even more thick mucus.

 

Get a Neti pot to flush out your sinuses. BUT to be on the safe side, since there was some germ or something that got into someone's sinuses or brain from tap water, buy a large can of saline solution that contact lens wearers use. Don't squirt it up your nose but put it in a neti pot. You can find youtube instructions.

 

Alternatively, buy a rubber bulb syringe in RiteAid. Probably the smaller one for babies since I don't like the idea of forcefully squirting liquid up you nose. Put enough saline into a clean glass (perhaps rinse with boiling water first to be extra safe), squirt enough saline into the glass so you can then fill up the bulb syringe. Then leaning over the sink -- if your right sinus is clogged, tilt your head to the right so the water goes into that sinus cavity. Then tilt your head to the left so it runs out. Repeat. Your congestion should ease up. You want to have the infected mucus flushed out and replaced by healthy mucous which you will get from drinking lots of fresh juices, herbal teas and water to stay hydrated, as well as taking large does of Vitamin C mentioned above.

 

You will know if you've taken too much C because you will get diarrhea so back off on one tablet until your bowels are normal.

 

I'd do that for three or four days to see if there is any improvement. If yes, keep doing it. Otherwise, take the antibiotic. It still might speed things up a bit if you did the nasal rinse at the same time.

 

So many docs overprescribing antibiotics put the rest of us at risk for "bugs" that mutate.

Edited December 7, 2013 by FitChick

[Babolat]

I took a strong antibiotic for an infected tooth when I had a root canal about three weeks ago. I hadn't taken an antibiotic for anything in many years, preferring natural methods. It upset my digestive system and now I have to take probiotics.

 

Take 1000mg of vitamin C (you can get the time release cheaply at Trader Joe's). I take that AM and PM with meals on a daily basis and never get sick. When everyone had the flu, I added in another dose at lunch time. Vitamin C fights infection. Drink plenty of liquids so your mucus is watery and can flush the germs out.

 

Also avoid wheat, sugar and dairy which will make even more thick mucus.

 

Get a Neti pot to flush out your sinuses. BUT to be on the safe side, since there was some germ or something that got into someone's sinuses or brain from tap water, buy a large can of saline solution that contact lens wearers use. Don't squirt it up your nose but put it in a neti pot. You can find youtube instructions.

 

Alternatively, buy a rubber bulb syringe in RiteAid. Probably the smaller one for babies since I don't like the idea of forcefully squirting liquid up you nose. Put enough saline into a clean glass (perhaps rinse with boiling water first to be extra safe), squirt enough saline into the glass so you can then fill up the bulb syringe. Then leaning over the sink -- if your right sinus is clogged, tilt your head to the right so the water goes into that sinus cavity. Then tilt your head to the left so it runs out. Repeat. Your congestion should ease up. You want to have the infected mucus flushed out and replaced by healthy mucous which you will get from drinking lots of fresh juices, herbal teas and water to stay hydrated, as well as taking large does of Vitamin C mentioned above.

 

You will know if you've taken too much C because you will get diarrhea so back off on one tablet until your bowels are normal.

 

I'd do that for three or four days to see if there is any improvement. If yes, keep doing it. Otherwise, take the antibiotic. It still might speed things up a bit if you did the nasal rinse at the same time.

 

So many docs overprescribing antibiotics put the rest of us at risk for "bugs" that mutate.

 

With the exception of cheese, I have removed milk 100% from my diet.

 

Working on the sugars. Whitel flour is out of my diet, as best I know, who know what gets hidden in some of the foods I eat though. Just found out my daily scone at the coffee shop is made with white flour, ugh!

 

I tak a probioatic every day and I eat a lot of good yogurts.

 

I have been using a Neti Pot since last Thursday to flush my sinuses, works great.

 

Drinking lots of water, and tea with honey.

 

Still sick, better, but I still have it. Loading up on Vitamin C.

 

Still working out, but taking it easy.

 

Antibiotics are in the closet!

[Babolat]

OK, LS Medical staff!

 

I was feeling a lot better, than, last night I coughed the 1/2 the night, and, this morning my lungs actually hurt when taking a deep breath.

 

Is it time to take the antibiotics? No fever, no chills, no body aches....

 

Tell me NO!

[carhill]

Each virus works differently on the body. I've noticed a lingering chest effect with the latest one; comes and goes. Part of being sick IME.

[MidwestUSA]

OK, LS Medical staff!

 

I was feeling a lot better, than, last night I coughed the 1/2 the night, and, this morning my lungs actually hurt when taking a deep breath.

 

Is it time to take the antibiotics? No fever, no chills, no body aches....

 

Tell me NO!

 

Tough call. Last time that happened to me, turned out I had been walking around with pneumonia for days.

 

 

Hmmm, shoot me my copay while I have another cup of coffee and think.

[Babolat]

Tough call. Last time that happened to me, turned out I had been walking around with pneumonia for days.

 

 

Hmmm, shoot me my copay while I have another cup of coffee and think.

 

Yeah, I though about pneumonia this morning. I was going to go to a mountain biking class tonight, think I may nix that.

 

Maybe I will give it another day.

[MidwestUSA]

Yeah, I though about pneumonia this morning. I was going to go to a mountain biking class tonight, think I may nix that.

 

Maybe I will give it another day.

 

Yea, skip the biking class. If it gets worse, you may need a chest X-Ray. I'm also wondering if amoxicillin is the best choice if it's pneumonia. Let me do some searching. Be back.

 

Okay, am pretty sure I took Zithromax (azithromycin) when I had it. Doc also gave me a steroid inhaler. You may want to check back in with you doc before starting the amoxicillin if you decide to go that route. He may want to go with something stronger. Hope you feel better soon!

Edited December 10, 2013 by MidwestUSA

[Babolat]

Yea, skip the biking class. If it gets worse, you may need a chest X-Ray. I'm also wondering if amoxicillin is the best choice if it's pneumonia. Let me do some searching. Be back.

 

Okay, am pretty sure I took Zithromax (azithromycin) when I had it. Doc also gave me a steroid inhaler. You may want to check back in with you doc before starting the amoxicillin if you decide to go that route. He may want to go with something stronger. Hope you feel better soon!

Per WebMD I do not have walking pneumonia. Still have sinus pressure so maybe it's just the sinus infection rearing it's ugly head.

 

No antibiotics yet, having a talk with my body to get it in gear and fight this thing!

[MidwestUSA]

Per WebMD I do not have walking pneumonia. Still have sinus pressure so maybe it's just the sinus infection rearing it's ugly head.

 

No antibiotics yet, having a talk with my body to get it in gear and fight this thing!

 

That's still the best way, IMO. I have gone two years, knock on wood, without a bad cold or upper RI. Ever since getting out of hospital work, where you're encouraged (or guilt tripped into) to work while sick then reprimanded for doing so (when everyone else gets it!) I've skipped my flu shot for three years now, with no one to enforce it.

[Babolat]

That's still the best way, IMO

 

The best way, too? Fight off something, let your body do it naturally?

[MidwestUSA]

The best way, too? Fight off something, let your body do it naturally?

 

Yea. Hopefully. The absence sense of fever is a good sign. As much as I don't like them, antibiotics do have their place, but only when absolutely necessary. FitChick wrote the best response in this thread.

 

 

I've worked with people who've had so many antibiotics in their lives, and are resistant. You get down to using stuff that works, but destroys their kidneys in the process. Not pretty.

 

 

Are you at home resting? Or working?

[Babolat]

Are you at home resting? Or working?

 

I have not missed anytime from work. Not contagious as best I can tell.

[pink_sugar]

My mom said that every doctor has told her you need to go to the doctor for antibiotics when you have green mucous. It is likely that even if the virus does go away without treatment, it will just go dormant in your system and come back again. They should only be used for bacterial infections. My mom has had to use them a few times, because she gets chronic infections. However, if you use antibiotics A LOT, you will develop an immunity and it will not work as well, so it's important to only take them as prescribed and only the amount allotted by the doctor. Basically you can develop a resistance to it. When I was sick for over 3 weeks, I was given antibiotics anyways since I had been sick for so long that it likely could have progressed to be even worse.

Edited December 10, 2013 by pink_sugar

[Babolat]

My mom said that every doctor has told her you need to go to the doctor for antibiotics when you have green mucous. It is likely that even if the virus does go away without treatment, it will just go dormant in your system and come back again. They should only be used for bacterial infections. My mom has had to use them a few times, because she gets chronic infections. However, if you use antibiotics A LOT, you will develop an immunity and it will not work as well, so it's important to only take them as prescribed and only the amount allotted by the doctor. Basically you can develop a resistance to it. When I was sick for over 3 weeks, I was given antibiotics anyways since I had been sick for so long that it likely could have progressed to be even worse.

 

It will be 2 weeks for me on Thursday. I still am resisting opening the antibiotices bottle...it's staring at me though!

[pink_sugar]

It will be 2 weeks for me on Thursday. I still am resisting opening the antibiotices bottle...it's staring at me though!

 

Most colds last about 2 weeks, but if you're still feeling it in another week or so, I would open that bottle.

[truthbetold]

I am in the healthcare field so FWIW

 

I try to avoid antibiotics always and only take them as a last resort. They are over prescribed. A lot of medications that the pharma industry will have you believe is necessary is made to generate $$$ but I digress

 

I can suffer from sinus infections/bronchitis and have had one bout of walking pneumonia in the very distant past. (you would get winded from walking a short distance) that's one of the biggest signs.

 

If I'm around anyone that's sick or I feel that familiar tickle or scratchy throat I start taking apple cider vinegar. The kind with the mother floating in it. Usually just 2 tablespoons in some water once a day or every other day does the trick.

 

I've found something just as effective for me. Garlic in the form of garlic stuffed olives. Yes it's pickled not fresh but between that and either big bowls of ruby red grapefruit or orange juice and it's not developed into anything. You may be beyond the stages of stopping the infection though, so I offer the following suggestion:

 

I also had the beginnings of one a couple months ago that I thought for sure I would end up needing the abx. But instead I made tomato tea and drank this for about 2 days and GONE.

 

You take either tomato juice or V8. (like a big mug or so) Add about a 1 tsp of raw fresh garlic, a few drops of hot sauce, 1 tsp lemon juice, and some celery salt. You can also add horseradish with or in place of the hot sauce. Sip it while hot. You may not smell pretty the next day but you should feel a massive difference. Hope this helps!

[MidwestUSA]

Truthbetold, I love the sound of that V8 recipe! I'm saving it. I grow my own horseradish, nothing like the fresh stuff! Thank you. (I'm willing to bet mosquitoes wouldn't bite with that in my system. )

 

Babo: any better today? Up and at 'em!

[Babolat]

Truthbetold, I love the sound of that V8 recipe! I'm saving it. I grow my own horseradish, nothing like the fresh stuff! Thank you. (I'm willing to bet mosquitoes wouldn't bite with that in my system. )

 

Babo: any better today? Up and at 'em!

 

Felt like crap last night after doing Yoga.

 

No cough attacks last night though, chest is still tight and sore, coughing up green crap still. Nighttime/evenings/first thing in the morning seem worse for me.

[carhill]

I heard an interesting anecdote from an employee who's currently similarly ill, and his wife and kids also. Apparently, relevant to your 'green phlegm' comment, he noted similar and went on to share that he was the only person in the group to have that and, apparently part of a pattern, is the only person in his family to have his tonsils removed. I found that interesting. He's taking antibiotics, as he has a history of such issues, and appeared and sounded pretty good when we talked.

 

Your reaction to physical stress, like with exercise, IMO is to be expected as your body recovers. Last week, I found after one day of hard physical work (my job is very physical and I was doing subsurface plumbing last week), taking the next day off (which I can do since I'm the boss) really helped. Energy levels returned and respiratory issues abated. If moderation is abandoned, consequences obtain

[Babolat]

I heard an interesting anecdote from an employee who's currently similarly ill, and his wife and kids also. Apparently, relevant to your 'green phlegm' comment, he noted similar and went on to share that he was the only person in the group to have that and, apparently part of a pattern, is the only person in his family to have his tonsils removed. I found that interesting. He's taking antibiotics, as he has a history of such issues, and appeared and sounded pretty good when we talked.

 

Your reaction to physical stress, like with exercise, IMO is to be expected as your body recovers. Last week, I found after one day of hard physical work (my job is very physical and I was doing subsurface plumbing last week), taking the next day off (which I can do since I'm the boss) really helped. Energy levels returned and respiratory issues abated. If moderation is abandoned, consequences obtain

 

Interesting..I got strep throat all the time as a kid, drs always told my folks "he needs to have his tonsils removed". Never removed.

 

Yeah, I overdid it last night. 20 minutes on the bike, 30 minites with weights, than an hour of fitness yoga! I need to slow down for a few days...maybe!

[Babolat]

I am in the healthcare field so FWIW

 

I try to avoid antibiotics always and only take them as a last resort. They are over prescribed. A lot of medications that the pharma industry will have you believe is necessary is made to generate $$$ but I digress

 

I can suffer from sinus infections/bronchitis and have had one bout of walking pneumonia in the very distant past. (you would get winded from walking a short distance) that's one of the biggest signs.

 

If I'm around anyone that's sick or I feel that familiar tickle or scratchy throat I start taking apple cider vinegar. The kind with the mother floating in it. Usually just 2 tablespoons in some water once a day or every other day does the trick.

 

I've found something just as effective for me. Garlic in the form of garlic stuffed olives. Yes it's pickled not fresh but between that and either big bowls of ruby red grapefruit or orange juice and it's not developed into anything. You may be beyond the stages of stopping the infection though, so I offer the following suggestion:

 

I also had the beginnings of one a couple months ago that I thought for sure I would end up needing the abx. But instead I made tomato tea and drank this for about 2 days and GONE.

 

You take either tomato juice or V8. (like a big mug or so) Add about a 1 tsp of raw fresh garlic, a few drops of hot sauce, 1 tsp lemon juice, and some celery salt. You can also add horseradish with or in place of the hot sauce. Sip it while hot. You may not smell pretty the next day but you should feel a massive difference. Hope this helps!

I feel like I am watching an episode of The Munsters with grandpa whipping something up in the basement!

[MidwestUSA]

Felt like crap last night after doing Yoga.

 

No cough attacks last night though, chest is still tight and sore, coughing up green crap still. Nighttime/evenings/first thing in the morning seem worse for me.

 

 

 

Pretty standard. You're going to cough more in the morning and exhaust yourself, cuz of all the stuff that's settled overnight. By evening, you've run out of whatever little energy you started the day with. When I'm that sick, I maybe have eight 'good' hours in the day, and I use the word good loosely.

 

 

Yea, grandpa Munster. That's me and my concoctions, LOL! A chemistry degree combined with nursing. Beakers and flasks and Bunsen burners, oh my! Not a wonder hubby insists on doing most of the cooking.

[Babolat]

If I'm around anyone that's sick or I feel that familiar tickle or scratchy throat I start taking apple cider vinegar. The kind with the mother floating in it. Usually just 2 tablespoons in some water once a day or every other day does the trick.!

 

I bought some, organic, yesterday. Did a "shot" this morning, oh my god, I thik the neighbors heard me yelp! This stuff is awful. I'll stay on it though.

 

You take either tomato juice or V8. (like a big mug or so) Add about a 1 tsp of raw fresh garlic, a few drops of hot sauce, 1 tsp lemon juice, and some celery salt. You can also add horseradish with or in place of the hot sauce. Sip it while hot. You may not smell pretty the next day but you should feel a massive difference.

 

Drank this last night, tasted like spaghettit sauce, not too bad. I don't feel any better, but no worse.