It’s important to give myself grace when I feel exhausted
A lung infection, antibiotics, and more took a toll on my body
Disrupting the rhythm of day-to-day life with pulmonary fibrosis comes at a cost.
When I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in January 2017, my medications changed dramatically. I went from taking only Zyrtec (cetirizine hydrochloride) for seasonal allergies to requiring multiple meds that have been adjusted as needed over the past eight years.
My pretransplant medications can be best described as a primer for what was to come. Following my bilateral lung transplant in July 2021, the number of daily medications I was taking increased upon my discharge from the hospital.
In the 45 months since my transplant, my doctors have adjusted my meds 129 times. After each change, it takes my body some time to stabilize, possibly due to side effects or how it interacts with my other medicines. Regardless, I always have to listen to my body and share any side effects or concerns with my care team.
Some recent changes took a toll
Some of you may have noticed I did not publish a column on April 22. It was the first time I had failed to file one since I began writing for Pulmonary Fibrosis News in 2021. In my most recent column, I shared that a moderate growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae had been found in my lower lungs, and I had begun treatment with Augmentin 875 (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid).
The infection itself was exhausting. I’ve been more tired than usual since having a bronchoscopy on April 17. You may recall that I typically walk three to six miles a day with Beau, my Great Pyrenees-Anatolian shepherd. In March, I walked 137 miles! In April, for the first time in recent memory, I walked fewer than 100 miles, recording just over 98.
Compounding my lack of energy was the Augmentin, which created its own drama. I am one of those patients who reads the drug information for every medication I take and will often look for independent information from sources besides the pharmaceutical company. For Augmentin, I reviewed an article from the Mayo Clinic. The site didn’t note anything different, but the information was presented in a more understandable format for me.
One section of the Mayo Clinic article I appreciated was the list of potential side effects. I experienced sleepiness in addition to gastrointestinal issues, which I typically have with antibiotics.
All of this was a good reminder to take my own advice. Not being able to get out with Beau was frustrating, and my lack of energy combined with heavy pollen here in Virginia was exhausting. I had to remind myself that it’s OK to give myself some grace, especially since my body was experiencing something new.
My 10-day course of Augmentin ended April 30. By the early days of May, the medicine and its residual side effects had worked their way out of my system.
I’m thankful that my care team wasted no time getting the infection under control. The fact that I am alive and functioning without the need for supplemental oxygen is why I will always live my mantra: Be positive in all things. I may push myself a little to make up some of the miles I didn’t walk in April. I can tell you that I will continue to be thankful for each day and will always do my best to make every breath count.
Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.
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