The medications I took to get better

Azithromycin / Zithromax / Zpack
by Pfizer

Azithromycin is a long-acting macrolide antibiotic that works by interfering with the protein synthesis of the bacteria. Azithromycin reaches peak effect in a little over two hours.

You could notice a slight relief in symptoms directly corresponding to this 2 hour timeframe. Relief of symptoms then tapers off slowly over the next couple of days. This is also in keeping with the remarkably long half-life of 62 hours for the Azithromycin. Any slight side-effects also seemed to taper off at the same rate.

Azithromycin usually comes in 250 mg capsules or tablets in packs of 6. Your doctor will prescribe one of three dosages: 1000 mg once a week, 500 mg twice a week, or a Z-pack dose which is 500mg the first day followed by 4 days of 250 mg followed by 5 days off.

Generic Azithromycin Generic azithromycin is sold under the names Azithromycin tablets and Azithromycin oral suspension (liquid). Some available strengths of Azithromycin tablets include 250 mg, 500 mg, and 600 mg. The oral suspension form of the drug also comes in a number of strengths, including 100 mg/5 mL and 200 mg/5 mL. A few of the companies that manufacture generic azithromycin include Sandoz, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Pliva.

One more important note is that a big advantage of taking 1000 mg once a week is that it is much easier to remember. The relief factor is nice too. It hits the bacteria like a freight train

Acidophillus
The antibiotics may kill the good bacteria in your stomach.  You could go to a health food store and purchase some acidophilus to replace the flora in your stomach. Otherwise you could get diarrhea or loose stools after a week or two. Acidophillus is the bacteria used to make yogurt, so you can eat yogurt as well.  I never had any problems but others have.

I'm happy to report that early 1996 was the last time I purchased any asthma medicine.    As I was going through some files my wife keeps, I looked over the many, receipts for ventolin, serovent ,albuteral, steroid dose packs, Seldane, and other expensive medications (these were from 1985-1995) that I had to to constantly take. Most of the time I was using 3 different inhalers.  Inthal, Ventolin and one of several inhaled steroids.   I spent a fortune on medications back then to treat the symptoms and not the cause.  Even so my asthma was constantly out of control.

I was never a fan of taking antibiotics. However, as desperate as I was at the time, I felt I didn't have much of a choice.  As it turned out, taking antibiotics was a very good choice for me.

I have been very healthy ever since and rarely get sick