Antibiotics: Getting Worse Before You Get Better?

[thehipcrip]

I'm back on antibiotics (Cipro) again for both lung and symptomatic bladder infections.

I'm once again going through the same pattern that happens every time I treat an infection with ABX -- right about day three, I seem to bottom out. My malaise increases tenfold to the point I feel flattened, I get flu-like aches that don't respond to ibuprofen, and what is typically a consistent low grade fever of about 99.6F upgrades itself to linger between 100.6-101F. This feeling like total crap stage usually sticks around for a few days before disappearing overnight (literally).

Is this just another of my body's charming little quirks or is it pretty common for people to get worse before they get better after treatment begins?

What causes it? The HipHubby and I have speculated that it occurs in me because the ABX rile up the mostly dormant pockets of bacteria that are always present in my bronchiectasis-riddled lungs, and its the agitation of the bacteria that causes the temporary setbacks. Does that make any sense at all?

All comments and insights are welcome! I'd love to hear your personal stories as well as get the medical low-down from resident experts KLD or one of the other nurses.

[brucec]

I know they say anti-botics cures the infection by a steady attack, usually takes two or three days of steady anti-botics to start fighting infections

[Le Type Français]

It's ironic you post this thread now. The day before yesterday I accidentally took two doses of my Macrobid than I usually take due to oversight. I was a zombie yesterday and still feel a bit of the effects on my body.

[SCI-Nurse]

That is not a pattern that is common, in fact most people start feeling much better by day 3 of antibiotics for an acute infection. I assume that the Cipro was chosen based on a culture and sensitivity?

(KLD)

[woman from Europe]

I feel bad when I have the UTI and then when I start with the antibiotic I feel even worse until I am finished with the cure. Then I am slowly getting better. But I have taken so much so I thought that was the reason.

Guess how I feel now after five weeks of antibiotics and the last six days on two different IVs.

[thehipcrip]

Originally Posted by KLD

I assume that the Cipro was chosen based on a culture and sensitivity?

Sure was. It's klebsiella pneumoniae in my bladder, which thankfully is sensitive to everything except Keflex. Not sure what's on attack in my lungs, but for the first time in a long while I'm producing lovely, gummy, green sputum. My doc chose Cipro (500 mg bid X 14 days) because it works well for both urinary and pulmonary infections and because I tolerate it so well.

Originally Posted by KLD

That is not a pattern that is common, in fact most people start feeling much better by day 3 of antibiotics for an acute infection.

So this really does seem to be another quirk that's specific to me. Yippee (she said sarcastically).

I'm not worried about it at all -- this was more of a curiosity post than anything else. This cycle has happened to me for as long as I can remember and I always turn around by day five or six and feel terrific. It's a huge help that it's so predictable -- once I start on the meds, I know I've got three days to adjust my schedule to accommodate the down time I know is on its way.

Thanks for the input, KLD -- it's appreciated.

+----------------------------------+

Sorry you're feeling poorly due to ABX, too, Le Type. Did you accidentally take a double dose or was it two extra doses? Either way, it's not hard to imagine that would make you feel rather crappy. Hope it clears up soon.

Just curious, are you taking the Macrobid as a treatment or a prophylactic?

[thehipcrip]

Ack, Bente, you must be feeling like you've been rode hard and put away wet just before a bus rolled over you -- twice!

I'm so glad you're going to be able to get the rest of the treatment you need. I read up on your bug last night and it is nothing to be trifled with. I've got my fingers crossed and healthy vibes vibing to help you make sure your current treatment completely eradicates that nasty stuff.

[Le Type Français]

Originally Posted by thehipcrip

Sorry you're feeling poorly due to ABX, too, Le Type. Did you accidentally take a double dose or was it two extra doses? Either way, it's not hard to imagine that would make you feel rather crappy. Hope it clears up soon.

Just curious, are you taking the Macrobid as a treatment or a prophylactic?

I'm taking the Macrobid as a prophylactic. It's worked well so far. I think I took my daily pill and then later that evening, I thought I didn't take it, took another pill, and thus, woke up the next day feeling very tired. Sleeping for a long time is the side effect Macrobid gives me initially.

[nosleep]

hi, i have been put back on antibiotics again since fri and evan today slept for most of the time. i feel generaly zonked out by this.

[Sue Pendleton]

Hip, anything over 7 days for utis, all IVs and any ABXs for lungs and I want hot tea, my heat pack and my blankie for a good 2 weeks. I do everything I can to arrange vitamins/minerals around the 6 after and 2 before, or is it the reverse?, that comes with fluroquinolines because I can tell my body needs them most when they are hardest to schedule. Feel better soon. You too Bente.