I have had this upper respiratory twice already. For a month in December. Got it again from sister-in-law at wedding on Feb. 10. Went to doctor and was given amoxicillian antibiotic. Felt okay. Started enbrel again 7 days later, sinus infection on left side came back. Two days after start enbrel my cheeks (sinuses it seems ) turn red and are swollen.

Have just gone back to doctor for my antibiotics, He gave me levofloxacin. (never tried it before). Doc said it would go along with all medicines I was on. I am on prednisone and enbrel. After taking it later that night, calves of legs hurt. Got out prescription sheet and read warning in black outlined box that levofloxacin can cause tendon damage and damage to your achiles tendon while you take it and three months after especially in people who take prednisone.

I had even asked the pharmacist if there were any serious side effects. I have quit taking it (only took it one day) and will see rheumy Thursday.

Good luck to you. This bug is seriously hard to get rid of especially if you take immune suppressant medications.

I'm sorry to hear about your illness, tina. Just chiming in to say I hope u get better. Hang in there and I'll keep you in my prayers.

Sorry to hear you are still feeling ill and just thought I'd mention that I have heard oregano oil can help. It is a really potent and super strong natural antibiotic, you might be able to find some stuff online about it if you google pneumonia and oregano oil. Hope you feel better soon.

Tina so sorry to hear u are still so sick. I remember one winter of illness after illness and so many antibiotics. I believe the one that finally did it was vancomyacin (sp?) I pray you don't have to be hospitalized. Ask your dr about that antibiotic I know that was the trick for me. Rest and get better!
Xoxo.

Tina, I am so sorry that you are still sick. I will continue to remember you in my prayers.

Tina I will keep you in my prayers. I am so sorry you are still sick from this pneumonia. I had 2 (healthy, non autoimmune) co-workers that were so ill from pneumonia they were hospitalzed for IV antibiotics this year. I hope you feel better soon.

Tina, get the phlegm tested for fungi too. Remember, people on immunosuppresants can get a fungal infection that the doctor ASSUME is bacterial. It has to be treated with anti-fungals asap.

It could even be both bacterial and fungal. It's happened!

Thanks everybody, Im gonna ask for a different antibiotic, providing they dont stick me in the hospital tuesday when I go back to pulmonoligist. has anybody had to have a scope down your throat? if so, what should I expect?

My husband had a scope...you get twilight sedation and don't really feel much til afterwards and even then, it's just a sore throat. It was a lot of time though.(prep and recovery)

I know I'm a dead horse on this, but be sure they look for fungal infection too.

double pneumonia for 21 days and you are not in the hospital?? I had pneumonia for about a week before going to doctor and was sent to hospital by ambulance. Spent 4 days with iv of prednisone and who knows what else besides the nebulizers ...I was sent home with oxygen...was on that just at night for a week.. the sooner it is treated agressively the better...

Hope you feel better really soon...

tina,
so sorry!! You know that you can request that they put you out to do the scope..at least they will where I live. They were talking about doing a scope on me and I said not unless you put me under, they said no problem they would just do the procedure in the hospital. I know you've been struggling with this now for so long! Please stay encouraged! I'm sending prayers your way! Take care!

thank you my dear friends, and I feel better knowing the scope isent that bad.I will ask them about the fungal tests too. thanks for all the prayers. I will hopefully have some better news after tomorrow. Hugs Tina

The biologics have MAJOR warnings about fungal infections. After market black box warnings were added. Mostly people in Ohio Valley (Miss and similar states) are at risk. I "assume" methotrexate could allow a fungal to go in and go undetected too. The problem was that it was not a common infection and docs assumed bacteria. They screwed around with antibiotics, totally not addressing the real issue. If a scope will give a good visual for them, I'd do it.

Tina, just wondering how you are. Hope you are healing!

From one Tina to another: Get well soon!
: )

Hope you managed to avoid the hospital, but wherever you are, hope you are kicking that double pneumonia!

When I had pneumonia, they gave me a home nebulizer that I used with albuterol. Worked wonders. Just an option to ask for during your recovery if you don't already have one.

Tina