Mycoplasma respiratory infection information...?

i have a mycoplasmal respiratory infection (so far for a week) and still feel lousy and have inflammatory arthritis (ouch!). how much longer will the fun persisit? i can't take z-pak or biaxin (i have long QT syndrome), so my doc could only prescribe omnicef. anybody out there know when i'll feel human again? any suggestions to speed up the process? thanks ya'll!

hmmm. a mycoplasma may not respond well to an antibiotic. these germs are rather unique type of a bacteria which actually fall out of the strict definition of a bacteria, including some fungal elements, sometimes with spores. so if all you are receiving is an antibiotic like omnicef then i'd say clearance of symptoms is going to take awhile. . on the other hand, many mycoplasma infections are self limiting requiring little intervention. the antibiotic is more prophylactic (preventitive) then anything else.

also you may have some underlying interstitial lung tissue component associated with the inflammatory arthritis but arthritic diseases are a bit out of my realm of knowledge. still there is a connection between some arthritis diseases and interstitial lung problems.

the important part of this dx is if you have an atypical mycoplasma infection. cultures and perhaps a bronchoscopy would be necessary to fully dx this. maybe you already had a bronch and culture. my guess is you are over 50, and have some serious medical history. if you are under 40 then by all means you need to be followed by someone with medical skills to manage heart, arthritis, and other issues you are having.

prognosis: good. getting the arthritis inflammation controlled will go a long way to improving your well being. the other is bothersome but usually not serious.

awe, i hope you get better. i do not know what it is. i would go and ask your dr.

I'm sorry you have been feeling bad. I'm also disappointed you are asking a medical question. I was CONVINCED that you knew everything. Hope you feel better soon!