Testimonial: Intravenous antibiotics, which have the effect of antidepressants

At the end of September, I had hemoptysis. Nothing exceptional, with CF it happens... The quantity of blood I spit up is not too large, so I don't go to the emergency room. In addition, I know that I have an appointment for my pregnancy follow-up in 5 days, I will talk about it at that time.

At my MOG (obstetric pregnancy medicine) appointment, Chéri and I meet the resident. He puts our patience to the test: takes his time, goes through my file 4 times, asks me routine questions: symptoms of pre-eclampsia? Diabetes well controlled? Do you know the consequences of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycemia? (Sigh...) How are the lungs? To this last question, I answer that I am as ugly as usual, but that I had a hemoptysis, nothing panicking in my eyes.

And then he tells us that the doctor is coming to see us.

It's a long time, did I already tell you about darling's chronic impatience in the face of all types of expectations? He's trying to convince me to leave, it's past 16:00, we've been waiting for 1 hour, and we know that they never do additional checks.

I'm on my end, I want to do my pregnancy follow-ups as I should.

That's when Dr. Competent comes free to come and meet me, it's the first time I've seen her. She's worried about hemoptysis, she thinks I'm coughing a lot. I tell him that I am going “as usual” (I remind you that every time I talk to my pulmonologist, he does not seem to find my condition very worrying). She asks me how I see taking antibiotics. According to my pulmonologist, only one antibiotic that is effective against the type of bacteria I have can be taken and it suppresses my appetite (I want babies to gain weight). She explains to me that there are however several types of antibiotics for my bacteria, and some that are not difficult on the stomach.

Turned on by my condition, she decided to prescribe me a series of routine tests for CF, too bad for the opinion of my pneumologist, we will at the very least check what the situation is. Respiratory function test: FEV1 at 85%, not the end of the world. Blood test, to check for a possible inflammatory reaction. Mucus sample, to see if a new bacteria has not appeared in my lungs. Finally, an X-ray of the lungs; she reassures me that there is no death in doing a pregnant X-ray, that it is better to do a good assessment of my condition. And all these tests the same evening: wow, tell me about what an effective doctor is!

The next day the call came back. The RX shows that my lungs are swimming in secretions (huuu, it's not a big surprise, I haven't slept lying down for at least 2 months now, but sitting up to try to limit my cough at night). Not to mention the fact that I am constantly vomiting secretions).

With the agreement of my pulmonologist, she prescribed me intravenous antibiotics. If you don't have CF, IV antibiotics may seem impressive. If you have CF, you are not impressed by this treatment at all!

In fact, IVs are part of our treatment arsenal. They are often required to reduce our lung infections.

However, for my part, I never received one. Yes, yes, friend with CF, it is possible that at 31 years old, you have never received IV antibiotics or been hospitalized. I don't know how I did it, but I have the Delta F508 double mutation...

With my entire CF community of acquaintances in mind who have had a catheter installed in their arm multiple times for IV administration, I refuse any stress or anxiety about this intervention. In my case, a Power—glide will be installed for me: a mid-length catheter that is very easy to install. As it does not reach the heart, there is no need for an X-ray, it is a nurse who installs everything. I am lucky to be able to do my treatment at home: I will give myself a dose of antibiotics every 8 hours for 2 weeks.

If you can imagine this painful period of my pregnancy, think again. Even though self-administration asks me to get up at 11 in the evening and then at 7 in the morning, I notice that my nights have quickly become restorative. After only 5 days of treatments, I practically no longer have a cough: what a joy to regain a physical well-being that was forgotten for several months. I even have the impression of finally emerging from a big gray cloud in which I let myself slide. Thank you Dr. Competent for seeing what others couldn't see!

At the end of this medication, I notice that my chronic fatigue will have had a perverse effect on my vision of my pregnancy. This fatigue made me more vulnerable to all the small potential worries and fuelled a lot of fears about babies.

Not surprisingly, the condition will cause depression to more than 50% of people living with cystic fibrosis in their lifetime. When your body is not doing well, it's hard to ask your mind to be on top.

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