I went to the doc, but I'm not sure about meds

MommyToAshley wrote: As I posted before, I was feeling really bad. Yesterday, I was still running a high temp, very congested, my ears and throat were so sore, and my voice was completely gone. But, when I started having more difficulty breathing, I broke down and went to the doc.

The doc gave me scripts for an antibiotic, a prescription decongestant and anti-inflamatory drug, ear drops, and a nasal inhaler ... all for an upper respiratory infection, ear infection, and bronchitis. (I tested negative for strept).

I'm apprehensive about taking the meds because I am convinced that the steroid shot I got last year is what started all the unexplained health issues I started having last summer.

I am ok with the antibiotic because I do think I have an infection and need this antibiotic to kick it. (With the exception of last year, I have hardly taken any antibiotics) But, I really don't want to take the others, especially the nasal puffer. I read the pamphlets on the meds and the nasal inhaler contains steroids.

When I was at the docs office, I expressed my concern about so many scripts. The doc said I needed to take the antibiotic. She said I could hold off on the ear drops as the other antibiotic would clear the ears up, but they would clear up faster with the ear drops. But, she said that I really needed to take the other two meds. I didn't know what they were until I picked them up -- and now that I have read what they are, I don't want to take them. I want to feel better, but I am torn on what to do.

gr33n3y3z replied: I see what you are saying Dee Dee
Call her up and see if she can change the nose spray to one that doesnt have a steroid in it.

I hope you feel better hun

My2Beauties replied: As far as the decongestant, IMHO script or not, those things just don't work for seriously bad infections. They make me feel really ---> when I take them and I hate that feeling. I think the antibiotics alone are fine. Also, I know you're in Ohio and I'm in Kentucky but here in Ky the strain of strep going around is coming up negative on the instant strep tests they do in the office, then they grow the culture and 2 days later they realize you have strep after it cultures....it happened to me, my babysitter, her kid, Brian's mom, and Brian's little brother, all of us around the same time. Luckily the girls never got it but they were on antibiotics for another infection at the time, so that is probably why. So I wouldn't cancel strep out Strep is horrible and causes your throat to hurt severely. As far as the ear drops, I honestly don't think they will hurt you. You can forget the nasal puffers though, I cannot use those things, they are...ick! I don't think they're that safe personally, I'm really leary about them. I'd call the doc to see if he can prescribe one without steroids, because I've heard they do work well, but I won't do them because I can't stand the feeling of snorting something up my nose.

sparkys2boys replied: Aww hun hope your feeling better soon. And if your worried I would call and speak to your doctor again

Kaitlin'smom replied: dang thats alot of meds. if I read right 5 different things? that sounds like way to much and I woudl deffinalty not be using anything with a steriod in it since you had a hard time with it last year. hope you feel better soon

kit_kats_mom replied: Dee Dee. I had that "severe upper respritory" thing a few weeks ago that kept me down for two solid weeks. My girlfriend now has it and I'll tell you what I told her. I wouldn't wish that junk on my worst enemy. On top of that, you have an ear infection. I think I would just die.

When I went to the doc, I got a z-pack, some magical nector of the gods cough syrup with codene and an inhaler.

The inhaler I was to use only if I was short of breath. I used it once and was fine after that. I am positive that the thing that made me better was that I took the cough syrup and slept for almost a full 24 hours. Get as much rest as you can.

holley79 replied: I woudl be lost as well.

I hope you get to feeling better soon though sweetie.

kimberley replied: i am not a med taker so i'd definitely talk to the doc or pharmacist about the benefits vs the side effects. hope u feel better soon!

MoonMama replied: IDK about the meds at all hun sorry, I would call and talk to the doctor. But wanted to say I hope you feel better soon.

jcc64 replied: You know I'm generally anti-drugs for these types of things. But if you're certain you have a bacterial infection, then you need the antibiotic. I don't know how your dr was able to ascertain the fact that your infection is bacterial vs viral- most ear infections are viral and do not need antibiotics, and the only way to know definitively if your infection is indeed bacterial is through labwork. But most drs don't commonly want to wait for the results- it's just faster to take the drugs. A good rule of thumb in my eyes is that drs tend to over-treat and over-medicate, b/c it's faster, easier, and they don't want to run the risk of malpractice accustaions. I believe we all pay a price for this, but that's the way it is.
I'd be very interested to know what you found out about the nasal spray, Dee Dee. Both my dh and ds take Nasacort daily, which is a steroidal nasal spray for asthma symptoms, and they have no unpleasant side effects. My ds has been taking it for a couple of years with no problem. Is there some sort of long term side effect/problem associated with this drug?
You seem very knowledgeable and proactive as a patient, so I'm assuming you already know the difference between an inhaled steroid and an oral one, right? Oral steroid are nasty business, with many disturbing side-effects, but I am so far unaware of any side effects of inhaled steroids, and without them, my dh can't breathe. Yikes- you're making me paranoid- should I be?
In any event, I hope you can kick this horrible illness soon. I guess I'd lay off the decongestant if it were me- they make me feel worse than the virus and I've never known them to work.

MommyToAshley replied:
Not that I know of or have read about. But, I am basing this on my own past experience. I started having all sorts of side affects after having been given a steroids last time. Then, the docs started treating the side effects with other medications which led to other problems. I just don't want to go down that road again. I think it just has something to do with me, the doctor said most people don't usually have a reaction like this. However, my neice had a similar problem, so maybe it is genetics in play.

I wasn't able to see my regular doc, and I didn't know much about this doc and was afraid she was over-medicating. I decided to only take the antibiotic for now. I've been on the antibiotic for about 48 hours now, and I already feel better. I still have some congestion and coughing, but the fever is gone, my voice is back, and my breathing isn't as labored. My throat is still a bit scratchy and my ears hurt now and then, but nothing compared to how I was feeling.


Thank you everyone for your well-wishes.

Nina J replied: I have never heard of a doctor who gives so many prescriptions for such an illness. I would have assumed just antibiotics. Of course I am not a doctor, but really it seems excessive.

Obviously though, you have a bacterial infection and need antibiotics. Maybe the decongestant is to knock it over more quickly or to be sure that the bacteria is dead. Because sometimes some of those little bugs are still living when you finish your course of antibiotics so you have possibility of being unwell again.

I am always hesitant to take medication. I have been prescribed antibiotics so many times in last few years and I really didn't need them. I got a new doctor and she is very good because she doesn't give antibiotics for viral infections because they're useless for it. Although I still like to go to the doctor's when I get unwell because I am not an expert so I cannot tell if it is viral or bacterial. It doesn't cost me anything to go so it is good, if I am sick with bacteria they can fix it before I get more unwell.

Anyway, I hope you are getting well again.