Tag Archives: zosyn

21 days of IVs done

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I did 2 weeks of IV Zosyn and was still not back to baseline. My lung functions had dropped from 35% at the beginning go IVs to 31% at the 2 week mark. We decided to do another week hoping to get over the hump. IV Zosyn is a bit daunting at every 6 hours but I manage. It wears me out to say the least. I sleep at every chance I get. I am able to “bump” my doses an hour either way which helps me get a little more sleep at one time. I’ve mastered it over the last few decades. At the end of 21 days/3 weeks my lung functions hadn’t come back up to where they were when I started IVs. I was at 32% at the end of IVs. With all that said, I am feeling better for the most part. I am however coughing a little more and coughing more up. I say better out than in! So it’s a good thing.

We had talked about putting me inpatient for IV colistin which was the one that messes with my kidneys and sent me into acute kidney failure a few years ago. That being said that is the reason they want me in the hospital for it because they would want labs everyday and be at the ready for extra IV fluids if needed. We decided against that for now. I may have to revisit that in the future when I get sick the next time (have a CF exacerbation). Yes, I say WHEN because it’s inevitable…it’s life with CF. I have another chest x-ray on February 16th to see if the pneumonia is gone. Hoping it is. If it’s not we will have to revisit IVs again I’m sure.

I barely made it through January emotionally speaking. This year my mom’s passing anniversary was harder for some reason. I found myself in bed more. Being sick on top of it didn’t not help either. I hope I’m coming out the other side of it now. My birthday is Monday which I always celebrate gladly unlike others. haha. I love getting older! Every birthday is a great milestone in my life. Especially since I am now past the “life expectancy” for CFers. I am always happy I made it another year. I might post on my birthday, I might not. Just depends on how nostalgic I am feeling…haha.

Until next time…

IV antibiotic time

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I have been sick since my birthday, so 2 weeks now.  I tried oral antibiotics which didn’t help.  I threw in the towel and called my nurse to get IVs started.  I had a “sick visit” today since they wanted to see me and get lung functions done.  My FEV1 was down a bit to .91L/33% (last time was 36%).  I’m having more shortness of breath, fatigue and cough.  It’s been a long 2 weeks of being sick and not feeling good.  After seeing the doctor I went to the infusion lab and got my port accessed and had labs drawn.  Now I’m just waiting for meds to be delivered so I can get started.  I’ll be on IV Zosyn every 6 hours for 2 weeks.  Hopefully 2 weeks is all I need.  I think that’s all.

Until next time…

Still not feeling well

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Today I had a check up since I’m not feeling better after 6 days of IV antibiotics.  My lung function was down again to .88L/31% FEV1.  I started a prednisone taper on Tuesday, starting at 60mg for 3 days, 40mg for 3 days, 20mg for 3 days then 10mg for 3 days.  I was hoping that the taper would help with the wheezing and chest tightness, so far it’s a no go.  We decided that if I am not better over the weekend I am to call my nurse to be admitted.  They want to add Colistin to my IV antibiotics but want to start it inpatient because of the history of kidney problems with it.  There was that one time that my creatinine shot up to 7.0 with the normal range is up to 1.1.  Therefore we have to watch it every time I’m on it or any IV antibiotics for that matter.  So I will take the weekend to rest, do lots of treatments and hydrate and hope I feel better.  However I kinda feel like I am prolonging the inevitable of an admission.  Might need the heavy hitters to knock this one out.  I’ll update next week.

Until next time…

IVs it is!

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I tried the oral antibiotics route and it didn’t help.  I’ve been on them for about a week and a half.  All they have done is make for a yucky tummy.  With that said, I called my nurse for IV antibiotics.  I haven’t felt good for too long.  It’s always hard to tell if it’s a new normal or if I’m actually sick sick.  So I’m looking at this one as I’m sick.  I will be doing IV Zosyn every 6 hours for 14 days.  I will go tomorrow morning to get my port accessed and to get labs drawn for a baseline.  They also want an x-ray.  So I will be walking all over the hospital.  I’ve also been having bowel movement problems, as in not going.  You would think that with both strong antibiotics in my system I would be going non stop.  My body like to not do things the suggested way. haha.  I am drinking lots of miralax to combat the problem, which is no fun.  I hope to update in 2 weeks that I am feeling better.

Until next time…

Just a reminder about my www.COTAforShannonM.com fundraising link for medical/transplant expenses.  There is a fundraiser in the works for you Kansas City folks.  More to come on that.

Changing IV antibiotics

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I’ve been on IV’s for 13 days with no real improvement.  I called my nurse to discuss changing antibiotics since I’m not feeling any better.  We decided on IV Zoysn every 6 hours and oral Bactrim three times a day.  I usually get an upset stomach and (TMI) loose stools with these two meds so I will need to take probiotics to try and help that.  I will be on these two new antibiotics for two weeks with the hopes that I will start to feel better.  We had to look at my sensitivities from my sputum culture to figure out what drugs should work and these two were the winners.  Oh joy!

Until next time…

Virus hell

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I started having viral symptoms on the 22nd)…fevers, body aches, chills, horrendous cough, horrible chest pain from all the coughing, shortness of breath, etc. I finally had enough yesterday and had to go to the ER. There was no CF clinic for me to be seen in this week so ER it was. I tested negative for the flu which I was exposed to. My chest X-ray showed no changes and no pneumonia, all good there. Labs showed that my white count was elevated so my body was definitely fighting something.  I was started on IV Zosyn and oral Levaquin. I didn’t get to my room until 9pm.  I did lung functions while in the ER and my FEV1 was down 10% to 28%.  That’s a decent drop.  This virus or whatever it is a doozy. Continue reading →

I’m a winner….

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I had CF clinic today for a regular check up.  Nothing seems to be regular about me anymore when it comes to CF and my depression….but anyway.  My weight is just fine and on the high-end of fine.  I’m not a fan but that doctors like it.  Dang medicines making me gain weight.  I might end up being one of those “fat” CFers.  Well I already feel that way but on to the next subject. Continue reading →

Impromptu CF clinic appointment

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Saturday will be 14 days of IVs so I called my nurse to let her know how I am feeling.  I am still having the pain in my lower right side (just at the bottom of my ribs) that has been there for a few weeks.  I’m convinced that my right lung has it out for me.  It seems to be where most of my infection is, I fracture ribs from coughing on that side and I also get random pains on that side.  Maybe it’s my special party trick. Continue reading →

Chest CT results

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I had a chest CT yesterday.  It showed a few new spots/infiltrates which are infection but generally speaking it is stable-ish from my last chest CT, no major changes just subtle changes.

I haven’t been feeling good for a week or more.  Mornings are the worst, as usual, but once I get moving and do my morning breathing treatment it is more tolerable in general.  I have been having my usual symptoms of an exacerbation; increased cough, increased sputum, increased fatigue, increased pain on my right side of my chest, increased over all blah feeling.

All of that means that I am the winner of IVs for the next 21 days/3 weeks!!  I will be on Colistin (IV push) every 12 hours and Zosyn (IV ball) every 6 hours.  IVs take a lot out of me so I will be worse before I’m better.  Hopefully this means I will be good to go for our busy house full over Christmas.  They are drawing fungal labs to verify if there is anything fungal could be the culprit.  I will be seeing my CF team again on December 15th.  I will be having a repeat chest x-ray a few days before that to see if there are any changes.  I’m starting the IVs tonight but will only get 1 dose of each medicine in tonight.  21 days of IVs should be December 8/9.

Until next time…