Cellcept and the Severe Cough: Starting Cellcept Amid New Challenges
Last Wednesday, I got the call that I would be starting a new medication called Cellcept (Mycophenolate). It’s part of my ongoing treatment for a chronic condition, but like any new medication, starting Cellcept comes with its own set of challenges. To make things even more complicated, I was already dealing with other health issues, which made this journey a bit bumpy from the start.
Starting Cellcept Amidst Acute Bronchitis
Timing and Health Concerns:
I was already on antibiotics for another health issue, so my doctor advised me to wait until I finished the antibiotics before starting Cellcept. Unfortunately, just before I was about to begin, I developed a nagging cough after spending time in a sunflower field. By Thursday morning, the cough had gotten much worse.
Nurse Practitioner Visit:
Concerned about the worsening cough, I went to see the Nurse Practitioner at my Internal Medicine doctor’s office. After reviewing my medical history and noting that I can’t tolerate certain antibiotics, she took a cautious approach. I was diagnosed with Acute Bronchitis, which is viral and usually clears up on its own, but it’s a slow process.
Medication Adjustments:
To complicate things further, I was advised to delay starting Cellcept until after I finished the Z-Pak antibiotics prescribed by the Nurse Practitioner. However, my specialist, Dr. Bagert, didn’t respond to my inquiry about Cellcept until Friday, and by then, I had already started taking it. To manage the bronchitis, I was prescribed a strong cough medicine containing opioids to help me sleep and a daytime cough suppressant.
Managing Side Effects and Reactions
Medication Sensitivity:
I’ve always been sensitive to medications. Even things like Sudafed and Tylenol can make me drowsy, so you can imagine how stronger drugs affect me. The cough syrup made me incredibly tired, and I needed 8-9 hours of sleep just to avoid feeling groggy and “drunk” throughout the day.
Pain and Fatigue:
Chronic pain has been part of my life since my first surgery, and it hasn’t gone away. Lately, the pain between my knee and ankle on my right side has worsened—likely due to changes in the weather. On top of that, I’ve been dealing with heavy fatigue and a strange feeling of heaviness in my arms, which adds to the daily grind.
Sun Sensitivity:
One of the major side effects of Cellcept is increased sun sensitivity, making it easier to get sunburned. I’ve been extra careful to stay out of the sun and wear protective clothing, but it’s one more thing to manage while navigating life with this medication.
Hydrocortisone Tapering:
I’m still on Hydrocortisone, a steroid that I’m slowly tapering off while starting Cellcept. Tapering off steroids has to be done carefully to avoid side effects, so I’m monitoring my body’s reaction closely as we gradually reduce the dose.
The Importance of Regular Blood Work
Frequent Monitoring:
Starting a new medication like Cellcept means frequent blood tests to make sure it’s not damaging vital organs like my liver or kidneys. I have a big day of blood work scheduled for Thursday—first in Gulfport for my Internal Medicine doctor, and then another round in New Orleans specifically to monitor how Cellcept is affecting me.
Living the Lab Rat Life:
Frequent doctor visits, lab tests, and adjustments to my treatment plan are just part of life with a chronic illness. Sometimes, I feel like a bit of a “lab rat,” but it’s all necessary to ensure that my body is handling the medications properly and that the treatment is doing its job without causing harm.
Conclusion
Starting Cellcept has been a complex process with some unexpected hurdles—between dealing with acute bronchitis and managing the side effects of this new medication. It’s a reminder that when you’re living with a chronic illness, every new treatment brings a new learning curve. I’m grateful for the support and patience of my medical team as I navigate these challenges, and I appreciate all of you for following along on this journey.
