Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia

Johnnny off Paxil · 07-03-2007, 06:56 AM

Had to go to emergency again..this time they took the time and found that I had a respiratory infection called "Atypical Pneumonia"......he gave me a prescription for antibiotics.. can't read the writing..Ziruomua?? Just need to know if this antibiotic is safe or should I use something else....

Secondly..isn't atypical pneumonia..SARS?

Regards, Johnny

deedee1 · 07-03-2007, 07:02 AM

Heh, I had that. I believe that SARS is just a type of atypical pneumonia.. it's also called walking pneumonia, right? I think that's one of the varying degrees of severity...

Fleet86 · 07-03-2007, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnny off Paxil

Had to go to emergency again..this time they took the time and found that I had a respiratory infection called "Atypical Pneumonia"......he gave me a prescription for antibiotics.. can't read the writing..Ziruomua?? Just need to know if this antibiotic is safe or should I use something else....

Secondly..isn't atypical pneumonia..SARS?

Regards, Johnny

Hi Johnny,

I'm sorry you have Atypical Pneumonia, I don't know about the antibiotics but no doubt others will. I have had Pneumonia in both lungs pre-Paxil and I felt very ill but if you ensure that you rest and get looked after I am sure you will soon feel much better.

As I understand it, atypical pneumonia may be a symptom of SARS but you get alot of other nasty symptoms too. But I'm sure they would have run tests and if they suspected SARS I think you would be isolated due the risk of infection. But to be certain maybe your doctor could give you more information?

Do rest up and cancel work for a while. You need to let the antibiotics do their work and really take care of yourself for a while. I do hope you are feeling better very soon. Prayers for a speedy recovery Johnny,

nicci x

LCrawford67 · 07-03-2007, 08:08 AM

What you have is "walking pneumonia." I think everyone's had it at one time or another. If you had SARS, you wouldn't be out of the hospital, that's for sure.

You probably have Zithromax, which is perfectly ok to take. It's one of the "good" antibiotics.

Fleet86 · 07-03-2007, 08:29 AM

Hi Johnny,

I just checked. I think Paulo was asking about this antibiotic late last night. There are some good suggestions on the thread about taking it on full stomach and taking live yoghurt to help your stomach cope with it etc.

Paulo was also concerned if it would affect him in withdrawal. As long as I am reading it correctly (please check that I have the drug name correct) it seems to be fine.

Take care,

nicci x

scotty · 07-03-2007, 08:44 AM

Atypical pneumonia is called that only due to the organism that is present.It's not your "standard" organisms. There are ALOT of different categories, but usually the atypicals tend to be milder forms of pneumonia.
Did they do a culture?

Johnnny off Paxil · 07-03-2007, 11:00 AM

Thanks everyone.

Scotty..nope... should I ask for one? They did an x-ray and it showed some scarring . He said it should clear up in a month.... the antiboitic is Zithromax......my co-worker was sick 10 days ago..very sick... its probably the same ..nope I don't think I have SARS... hey have signs all over the hospital and I would have been whooshed off to the "yellow" quarantine section.

Do I really need to take these antibiotics or can I just rest and take my own "immune stimulant medicine" ?

Regards, Johnny

scotty · 07-03-2007, 11:14 AM

Take the antibiotic!

Johnnny off Paxil · 07-03-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

Take the antibiotic!

OK I will.. the antibiotic is going to kill everything in my gut...I've just started to recover from Paxil induced GI issues!!!

Maybe taking acidophilus will help counter act this?

Regards, Johnny

scotty · 07-03-2007, 11:38 AM

I always tell my patients to take acidphillus with antibiotics. Our infectious disease doc does too!!

Johnnny off Paxil · 07-04-2007, 10:39 AM

Thanks Scotty..listen what is the standard "length of time " to take these... the prescription reads: 500mgx dom? followed by 250mgx 4/7..? Looks like two weeks.. 1 week of 500mg per day...1 week of 250mg?

Thanks

Regards, Johnny

LCrawford67 · 07-04-2007, 10:41 AM

I'm not Laurie, but I play her on TV...

Ok, the dosing you're reading is correct. They start you off strong, then the dose gets weaker as the infection goes away. Ten days is the standard dosing for most ABs.

Johnnny off Paxil · 07-04-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCrawford67

I'm not Laurie, but I play her on TV...

Haha

Ok, the dosing you're reading is correct. They start you off strong, then the dose gets weaker as the infection goes away. Ten days is the standard dosing for most ABs.

Ok thanks Laurie... I'm seeing my GP today..we are going to revise the whole "health thing"

Regards, Johnny

mapleleafgirl25 · 07-04-2007, 11:54 AM

at least now you know why your breathing was the way it was..ect..so that must be a relief!!!..you will get better and stronger over the month!!!

Johnnny off Paxil · 07-04-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mapleleafgirl25

at least now you know why your breathing was the way it was..ect..so that must be a relief!!!..you will get better and stronger over the month!!!

Yes it is Michele..on the other hand..its also "gross incompetence " on the part of the doctors ...and I've seen many.....shocking is the word..because hits could have "flared up" into a very serious form of viral pneumonia.

Regards, Johnny

nicemom · 07-04-2007, 12:13 PM

I hope your starting to feel better Johnny!

TryingtoGetWell · 07-04-2007, 12:14 PM

Long ago, my mother was ill for quite a while but the doctors couldn't figure out what it was. When they discovered it was "walking pneumonia" my mother joked that she sure wasn't doing much walking!

They put her on antibiotics and that did the trick; she finally got better after having felt so ill for some time. (She took acidophilus too. I can't remember if she took it while she was taking the antibiotics, but definitely for some weeks afterward. It's fine to take acidophilus with antibiotics, but it's a good idea to take them for weeks afterward to fully replenish the good intestinal flora. While you're taking the antibiotic the acidophilus will help, but some of it is bound to be destroyed by the antibiotic, so continuing to take it for at least two weeks afterward will really help get your digestive system back to normal.)

I'm so glad they found out what was causing that breathing difficulty and that you're now getting treatment for it! I hope you feel better soon!

markgerard · 07-04-2007, 11:32 PM

I'm so sorry to hear you have this Johnny and like Nicci says, do rest up and cancel work for a while. You run your own business like I do - I had to put a damper on my business for quite some time, luckily my wife's home-based business is doing well enough to support us right now.

You are on my prayer list and I guess I will have to pray a little harder for you which I will certainly do. Take it easy and take some time off. I hope you get well soon.

God Bless, Mark

Songbird · 07-05-2007, 12:58 AM

I remember you saying you were finding it hard to breathe and it felt like there was a weight on your chest - now you know why! It's great that this has been diagnosed so that you can get rid of it, one less health problem for you. I hope your antibiotic works quickly and you feel better soon.

Johnnny off Paxil · 07-05-2007, 09:22 AM

Diane , Mark , Trying and Songbird thank you all for your feedback and input.

Unfortunately we've hit yet another snag. I took these results to my GP yesterday and she now "disagrees" with the ER doctors findings...she says "don't take the antibiotics , you don't have pneumonia. I said of course I don't have pneumonia , I have atypical pneumonia..I am not coughing, I have no fever, there is no congestion or mucus.....so then I asked her "well what is it then?"..she answered vaguely that it must be some sort of bug that I've had for a long time....I am not sure what to make with that answer..but the result is that her patient is STILL having breathing issues and we are back to square one...this is immensely frustrating. I keep telling my wife that the only way they are going to really come up with any diagnosis is if it slaps them in the face or if I'm dead.
So I am back to seeing the cardiologist to have him explain why and whats going on....

Prayers appreciated

Regards, Johnny

LCrawford67 · 07-05-2007, 11:33 AM

Oh for heavens sake! Ok, so let's say it's not walking pneumonia, it's obviously some type of infection, so why can't you take the ABs?

Amaya's Nana · 07-05-2007, 11:40 AM

Johnny - you could very well have some kind of fungal infection in your lungs. Your doctor needs to do a culture of some kind. Are you spitting up any sputum? My sister-in-law had a fungal infection in her lungs and it took months before the doctors figured it out. Fungal infections will not respond to antibiotics.

scotty · 07-05-2007, 12:03 PM

No fever, no cough, no sputum...NO pneumonia!! What did the chest x-ray look like that she jumped to atypical pneumonia?????? Get the official radiologist reading. I wish I had known that this was an ER doc....they are horrible at reading x-rays.

isabelly · 07-05-2007, 02:02 PM

Hi Johnny, hope you get this sorted soon. Sounds very confusing with all the differences of opinions. Not what you need at all. I remember us talking about the problems with our breathing a little while ago. I have just retuned from the drs. The one I spoke to on mon said it may be pleurisy, now the one I have seen today, says he cant seem to find anything, but I still have the same symptoms... so very un-nerving. So will just have to wait and see what happens over the next few days.
Hope you are feeling better soon.
Take Care
Louise

pax80 · 07-05-2007, 02:09 PM

Hey johnny... ask for explanations, this is unbearable, you have to know what you have beyond wd...
hope your feeling better soon too...
keep us posted

07-03-2007, 06:56 AM	#1
Johnnny off Paxil Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Persona Non Grata... I am No Expert on Nothing Posts: 2,894	Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Had to go to emergency again..this time they took the time and found that I had a respiratory infection called "Atypical Pneumonia"......he gave me a prescription for antibiotics.. can't read the writing..Ziruomua?? Just need to know if this antibiotic is safe or should I use something else.... Secondly..isn't atypical pneumonia..SARS? Regards, Johnny

07-03-2007, 07:02 AM	#2
deedee1 Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 55	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Heh, I had that. I believe that SARS is just a type of atypical pneumonia.. it's also called walking pneumonia, right? I think that's one of the varying degrees of severity... __________________ My progress journal!! Off Paxil since 04/01/07. Through with Paxil Withdrawal (mostly) since 06/21/07.

07-03-2007, 08:08 AM	#4
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,493	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia What you have is "walking pneumonia." I think everyone's had it at one time or another. If you had SARS, you wouldn't be out of the hospital, that's for sure. You probably have Zithromax, which is perfectly ok to take. It's one of the "good" antibiotics. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James

07-03-2007, 08:29 AM	#5
Fleet86 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,713	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Hi Johnny, I just checked. I think Paulo was asking about this antibiotic late last night. There are some good suggestions on the thread about taking it on full stomach and taking live yoghurt to help your stomach cope with it etc. Paulo was also concerned if it would affect him in withdrawal. As long as I am reading it correctly (please check that I have the drug name correct) it seems to be fine. Take care, nicci x

07-03-2007, 08:44 AM	#6
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Atypical pneumonia is called that only due to the organism that is present.It's not your "standard" organisms. There are ALOT of different categories, but usually the atypicals tend to be milder forms of pneumonia. Did they do a culture? __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

07-03-2007, 11:00 AM	#7
Johnnny off Paxil Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Persona Non Grata... I am No Expert on Nothing Posts: 2,894	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Thanks everyone. Scotty..nope... should I ask for one? They did an x-ray and it showed some scarring . He said it should clear up in a month.... the antiboitic is Zithromax......my co-worker was sick 10 days ago..very sick... its probably the same ..nope I don't think I have SARS... hey have signs all over the hospital and I would have been whooshed off to the "yellow" quarantine section. Do I really need to take these antibiotics or can I just rest and take my own "immune stimulant medicine" ? Regards, Johnny

07-03-2007, 11:14 AM	#8
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Take the antibiotic! __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

07-03-2007, 11:38 AM	#10
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia I always tell my patients to take acidphillus with antibiotics. Our infectious disease doc does too!! __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

07-04-2007, 10:39 AM	#11
Johnnny off Paxil Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Persona Non Grata... I am No Expert on Nothing Posts: 2,894	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Thanks Scotty..listen what is the standard "length of time " to take these... the prescription reads: 500mgx dom? followed by 250mgx 4/7..? Looks like two weeks.. 1 week of 500mg per day...1 week of 250mg? Thanks Regards, Johnny

07-04-2007, 10:41 AM	#12
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,493	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia I'm not Laurie, but I play her on TV... Ok, the dosing you're reading is correct. They start you off strong, then the dose gets weaker as the infection goes away. Ten days is the standard dosing for most ABs. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James

07-04-2007, 11:54 AM	#14
mapleleafgirl25 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 2,132	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia at least now you know why your breathing was the way it was..ect..so that must be a relief!!!..you will get better and stronger over the month!!! __________________ aka MICHELE My history with paxil is too long to write here..lol..but you can look at my old posts to see!

07-04-2007, 12:13 PM	#16
nicemom Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 3,183	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia I hope your starting to feel better Johnny! __________________ Diane On Paxil for 5+ years Weaned from 40mg to 15 over a 1 1/2 year period. From 15mg-0 May/June 06 (before finding PP) Protracted w/d from c/t. First 10 mths up and down but tolerable. Akathesia hit at 11 months. Many months of terrible mental and physical torture. 3/09 started Prozac but too stimulating. Currently on 15mg Lexapro and feeling so much better. Not all who waunder are lost.

07-04-2007, 12:14 PM	#17
TryingtoGetWell Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,008	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Long ago, my mother was ill for quite a while but the doctors couldn't figure out what it was. When they discovered it was "walking pneumonia" my mother joked that she sure wasn't doing much walking! They put her on antibiotics and that did the trick; she finally got better after having felt so ill for some time. (She took acidophilus too. I can't remember if she took it while she was taking the antibiotics, but definitely for some weeks afterward. It's fine to take acidophilus with antibiotics, but it's a good idea to take them for weeks afterward to fully replenish the good intestinal flora. While you're taking the antibiotic the acidophilus will help, but some of it is bound to be destroyed by the antibiotic, so continuing to take it for at least two weeks afterward will really help get your digestive system back to normal.) I'm so glad they found out what was causing that breathing difficulty and that you're now getting treatment for it! I hope you feel better soon! __________________ 5/93 - Started paxil after 6 years sensory distortions from benzo WD (+ chronic medical problems/pain) 20 mg/day; yrs later 15 mg 3/30/06 - 20 mg 4/21/06 - 15 mg 4/27/06 - 10 mg 5/17/06 - 5 mg (none taken 5/20) 5/21-24/06 - 2.5 mg (5/22 - none taken) 5/25/06 - d/c’d paroxetine Felt better than in years, then gradual WD symptoms 6/17/06 - Bolted awake in blind terror, started E-ticket ride to hell 9/08 - Varying degrees of improvement; still on the ride Still on 0.5 mg clonazepam

07-04-2007, 11:32 PM	#18
markgerard Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 473	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia I'm so sorry to hear you have this Johnny and like Nicci says, do rest up and cancel work for a while. You run your own business like I do - I had to put a damper on my business for quite some time, luckily my wife's home-based business is doing well enough to support us right now. You are on my prayer list and I guess I will have to pray a little harder for you which I will certainly do. Take it easy and take some time off. I hope you get well soon. God Bless, Mark __________________ - Started 20mg Paxil 1996, cut to 10mg in Apr/06 - Diagnosed with Benign Fasciculation Syndrome in Feb/06 (causes my body to twitch) - Switch to Cipralex (Lexapro) July/06 for 53 days - didn't agree with me (insomnia, nausea, etc.) - Back to 10mg of Paxil for 14 weeks, 7.5mg Dec. 11/06 - 10mg Jan. 10/07, 12.5mg Jan. 14/07 - Back at 10mg Jan 16/07 - 9mg Feb 8/07, 15mg Feb 26/07 - 9mg Mar 4/07 - 8.1mg Apr 29/07 - 7.3mg Jun 10/07 - 6.5mg Jul 8/07 - Off Paxil Aug/07

07-05-2007, 12:58 AM	#19
Songbird Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 7,046	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia I remember you saying you were finding it hard to breathe and it felt like there was a weight on your chest - now you know why! It's great that this has been diagnosed so that you can get rid of it, one less health problem for you. I hope your antibiotic works quickly and you feel better soon. __________________ Jul 01-Feb 02 Aropax Feb - Dec 03 Citalopram Jul 04 Aropax Jan 07 - Feb 08 20mg - 5mg Apr 4.5mg 5mg Jun 10mg zopiclone > seroquel Jul 20mg Aug + methionine Oct aropax > loxamine Dec off seroquel 7 Dec 17.5mg 30 Dec 15mg 24 Jan 12.5mg 16 Feb 10mg 10 May 9mg 30 May 8mg 5 July 7.5mg 2 Aug 7.25mg 1 Sep 7mg 9 Oct 6.75mg 8 Nov 6.5mg Appreciation is the antidote to stress - Trust is the antidote to fear

07-05-2007, 09:22 AM	#20
Johnnny off Paxil Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Persona Non Grata... I am No Expert on Nothing Posts: 2,894	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Diane , Mark , Trying and Songbird thank you all for your feedback and input. Unfortunately we've hit yet another snag. I took these results to my GP yesterday and she now "disagrees" with the ER doctors findings...she says "don't take the antibiotics , you don't have pneumonia. I said of course I don't have pneumonia , I have atypical pneumonia..I am not coughing, I have no fever, there is no congestion or mucus.....so then I asked her "well what is it then?"..she answered vaguely that it must be some sort of bug that I've had for a long time....I am not sure what to make with that answer..but the result is that her patient is STILL having breathing issues and we are back to square one...this is immensely frustrating. I keep telling my wife that the only way they are going to really come up with any diagnosis is if it slaps them in the face or if I'm dead. So I am back to seeing the cardiologist to have him explain why and whats going on.... Prayers appreciated Regards, Johnny

07-05-2007, 11:33 AM	#21
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,493	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Oh for heavens sake! Ok, so let's say it's not walking pneumonia, it's obviously some type of infection, so why can't you take the ABs? __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James

07-05-2007, 11:40 AM	#22
Amaya's Nana An "A bucket" gal! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 6,371	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Johnny - you could very well have some kind of fungal infection in your lungs. Your doctor needs to do a culture of some kind. Are you spitting up any sputum? My sister-in-law had a fungal infection in her lungs and it took months before the doctors figured it out. Fungal infections will not respond to antibiotics. __________________ a/k/a Lisa PAXIL FREE AS OF 3/18/06! Fully recovered! Currently weaning Klonopin - down to .25 mg - Onward and Upward!!!!!! Focus your attention on the here and now. Recognize it for what it is: the one moment of the only life you will ever have that you truly possess. Rare is the individual who has come to completely accept that the past is no more than a memory and the future an assumption about unborn events.

07-05-2007, 12:03 PM	#23
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia No fever, no cough, no sputum...NO pneumonia!! What did the chest x-ray look like that she jumped to atypical pneumonia?????? Get the official radiologist reading. I wish I had known that this was an ER doc....they are horrible at reading x-rays. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

07-05-2007, 02:02 PM	#24
isabelly Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 113	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Hi Johnny, hope you get this sorted soon. Sounds very confusing with all the differences of opinions. Not what you need at all. I remember us talking about the problems with our breathing a little while ago. I have just retuned from the drs. The one I spoke to on mon said it may be pleurisy, now the one I have seen today, says he cant seem to find anything, but I still have the same symptoms... so very un-nerving. So will just have to wait and see what happens over the next few days. Hope you are feeling better soon. Take Care Louise __________________ 2000 seroxat 20mgs for M.E 2003 reduced to 2.5mgs oct 2003 C/T april 2004 crisis severe reaction to prozac may 2004 cipralex 20mgs+25mgs diazepam 2006 diazepam reduction 25mgs to 3mgs oct 2006 reducing Cipralex not working anymore may 2007 2.5mgs not stable !3 mgs diazpam 31/5/07 mirtazipine 15 mgs horrific reaction discontinued ! 15/09/07 zero lexapro 7.5mgs diazepam 04/02/08 7mgs diazepam Last edited by isabelly : 07-05-2007 at 02:03 PM. Reason: spelling

07-05-2007, 02:09 PM	#25
pax80 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portugal Posts: 3,696	Re: Diagnosed with Atypical Pneumonia Hey johnny... ask for explanations, this is unbearable, you have to know what you have beyond wd... hope your feeling better soon too... keep us posted __________________ 2002- 10mg diazepam(for a neck pain) 2003- 20mg seroxat(for benzo wd) 2005-stopped diazepam (1 year taper plus acupuncture) 2006-stopped paxil (1 year taper) 3 years free from drugs

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