Bronchitis - how long?

So last Sat and Sun my breathing and asthma was really really horrible - basically just minutes away from going to the ER.

Went to the DR on Monday, said I have bronchitis and it's making my asthma really bad. Gave me a Z pack, a new inhaler and sent me on my way.

So now it's a week, and I'm still really bad. I cant go 4 hours without sucking on the inhaler. How long does bronchitis last? I thought I'd be better after I finished up the antibiotics.

I go back to the dr tomorrow, but I'd prefer some real life anecdotes on how much longer I'm in for.

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

I used to get bronchitis ALL the time when I smoked...

The Z pack never worked for me...I would need Biaxin

I would call to get another abx, sounds like the Z pack didn't work for you either

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

Thanks Lisa. I have an appt tomorrow night so I'll mention it.

I saw your other post, hope you feel better soon!

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

for me personally - to knock out bronchitis - i've always had to do back to back z-pack.

also - i have then had to ask for a diflucan - because doing back to back z-pack has always given me a yeast infection...

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

Ugh- I just had ANOTHER 3 hour asthma attack. I had one foot in the car to goto the ER, and it finally started easing up. I'm still messed up but I should be 'allowed' another inhaler puff in an hour.

I think I'm going to take tomorrow off, get an earlier appointment, and ask if I can rent a nebulizer or something.. this is getting ridiculous.

As for the yeast infection, I usually have the same problem with any run of antibiotics but the last 3 times I was on antibiotics I've taken Acidophilus, and it works for me. I'd rather do that then more prescription meds and I HATE yogurt.

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

Must have pulled every single chest and throat muscle during my 3 hour asthma/coughing fit - now I can't do anything, including breathing or swallowing without being in pain.

Dr opens at 11:30.

*vent over*

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

try drinking lots of hot tea...it feels so good going down and will help break up the gunk in your chest

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

can you just sit/lay in the tub with the hot water covering your chest???? I find that the 'only' time i feel 'normal' when i have bronchitis is when i'm in the hot, steamy shower....

i have felt that muscle pain before... i am so truly sorry...

aleve can help with that a little....

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

Dr said "Oh, it got really bad - huh??"
Umm.. yah.

I'm back - with an advair discus; some new antibiotics; steriods; to take along with my other inhaler, yogurt pills, and mucinex.

Yippie.

I feel like an old person writing down what pill I took and what tube I sucked on last, becuase there is no way I could remember.

Just had my chest xray also, back to the regular dr tomorrow and I'm supposed to make an appt with a lung dr, not sure what that would do because I'm sure it would take 3 months to get an appt with a specialist.

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

Thanks Jess.

About 20 minutes after I posted, the results from my chest xray came back - my doctor called me to goto the ER right away!

After sitting in ER for 9 hours I was admitted, because my violent coughing attack pierced my lung and now I have air in places where I shouldn't. (in my lungs, around my heart sac, in my throat, esophogas, spine..) Basically the whole area from my nose to my belly button is full of air. It took 2 chest xrays, 4 cat scans and 4 confused doctors to figure it out.

I was kept overnight and half of today to make sure my lungs didnt collapse, and this afternoon I was released with some more drugs and strict instructions about when to rush to the ER. Fun.

Moral of the story is - if you get chest/throat pain after a violent coughing attack, it might just not be muscle strain, and you should goto the dr and not be an idiot like me.

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

oh my GOD - i am so sorry....

it's a shame to have to say it - but at least you were FINALLY able to get an answer!!!!!

hopefully now - you are on the road to feeling better??

What hospital were you in? Were you at least kept comfortable??

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

I was in Good Sam in West Islip.

They were OK, the pain was minor by the time I got there - thats why half the doctors were saying "why are you here, you dont seem to be in extreme pain" They went from "you're going home soon" to "we need to admit you right away!" LOL - make up your mind!

I got some ambien, but the ambien combined with all the other drugs didnt make me sleep, just gave me wicked hallucinations. So at this point my major issue is lack of sleep - which I hope to fix soon.

I'll be OK, I need to just monitor my breathing, coughing etc to make sure nothing gets out of control to rip it further.

Thx for your messages.

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

I had bronchitis and it lasted for almost a month. But the zpak and rubitussin Dm helped me alot!!

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

I go for followup Dr appt tomorrow. I will find out how long I am out of work for. I know I am at least out until next Weds, maybe all of next week. Dr needs to fill out the disability papers; it will probably take longer for the papers than for the actual disability.

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

I am getting there. The constant pain over all my chest and throat is gone, now its just isolated spots. I'm guessing the dr will send me for another xray today. I can't sit up for too long, I guess the pressure is too much. I find myself doing things I shouldn't - I need to stop myself.

Sleep is GOOD now that I have the cough medicine with codeine. I take it and 30 minutes later I'm OUT for 8 hours.

I'm getting antsy being out of work for so long....

In the "When it rains it pours" category - DH needs to get a tooth extraction on Saturday. One of his wisdom teeth is sideways in his mouth. He is going away on business in 2 weeks so it has to come out now. So, we're a lovely pair. I can't drive, he can't drive after the surgery, etc. Fun.

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

Posted by Blazesyth

I am getting there. The constant pain over all my chest and throat is gone, now its just isolated spots. I'm guessing the dr will send me for another xray today. I can't sit up for too long, I guess the pressure is too much. I find myself doing things I shouldn't - I need to stop myself.

Sleep is GOOD now that I have the cough medicine with codeine. I take it and 30 minutes later I'm OUT for 8 hours.

I'm getting antsy being out of work for so long....

In the "When it rains it pours" category - DH needs to get a tooth extraction on Saturday. One of his wisdom teeth is sideways in his mouth. He is going away on business in 2 weeks so it has to come out now. So, we're a lovely pair. I can't drive, he can't drive after the surgery, etc. Fun.

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

Still out from work - should go back tomrorow.

Still having some pains, but its getting better. Went to the dr for a checkup last night, he looked at the cat scan readings from the ER, it turned out that I had sinusitis on top of all of this.

Woke up today with a sore throat and a headache. If I get a cold now, I'm going to lose it!

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

Posted by Blazesyth

Still out from work - should go back tomrorow.

Still having some pains, but its getting better. Went to the dr for a checkup last night, he looked at the cat scan readings from the ER, it turned out that I had sinusitis on top of all of this.

Woke up today with a sore throat and a headache. If I get a cold now, I'm going to lose it!

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

I was on antibiotics for the bronchitis, they said that should have cleared up the sinusitis too.

Re: Bronchitis - how long?

I had bronchitis twice. Once at college and it lasted almost 2 months.

The last time was when I moved to LI in 2004 and it lasted 3-4 weeks.