Albuteral......Bronchitus????

[JadenLayne]

Went to the Dr. yesterday and I have bronchitis. He gave me a RX for Albuteral which is an inhaler. What does it do? Does it make you feel weird, sleepy, etc?

He also gave me a RX. for some type cough medicine with narcotics in it. That scares me and I'm not sure about using it.

Oh and some steroids of some kind and then a antibiotic.

I've never had a Dr. give me 5 prescriptions at once....LOL! I'm not even sure what the 5th is. I'd research it but can't read his writing.

So anyone that has had bronchitus how long did it last and what worked best for you. I think what bothers me the most is the swollen lymph nodes under my ears. It hurts so bad to swallow.

 

[kandeebunny]

Albuterol won't hurt you, just drink lots of water with it. It will make it easier to breathe and loosen up the mucus.

The cough Syrup is a godsend, I hate meds, but this I do take when I have a cough, it will save you a lot of pain. The narcotic in it is actually a cough supressent, it's what makes it work 100000 times better than over the counter stuff.

Take what he gave you and don't worry! You'll get over it in 10-14 days but with the above meds it will be a lot less uncomfortable.

 

[CathrynRose]

If they didnt make Albuterol, I'd be dead...no kidding.

Ive been taking it since age 11, so I really have no side effects, but I think the normal would be "the shakes". It's like adrenaline....and opens up your air ways, INSTANTLY. Ive got a girlfriend who when she got a chest cold, asked me to bring my inhaler over so she could BREATHE!.

The narcotics in the cough medicine, is codeine. Supresses cough - might make you drowsy. Nothing off the charts though....

 

[luvwinnie]

Albuterol makes me a bit shaky (it's my asthma med), but other than that, I have no side effects.
The cough med with codeine will help you sleep! Definitely take it. I have bronchitis last month and it was the only thing that helped me.

 

[beattyfamily]

I have asthma so I frequently get Bronchitus. The inhailer helps you breath; it clears the airway.

It doesn't make me feel weird or sleepy at all. It's been a Godsend when I am wheezing and can't breath well.

I've always thought that Bronchitus was directly related to asthma.

Steriods also reduce inflammation caused by asthma/Bronchitus.

 

[JadenLayne]

The Dr. asked me if I had Asthma, which I haven't ever had. I'm a little short of breath but nothing horrible. It's so much worse at night. I think mine was brought on by a horrible cold around New Years and then going on a cruise and the difference in the temperature (Freezing in New Orleans to hot in Cozumel) and maybe the dry ocean air.

 

[snowman]

I get bronchitis every winter and have had several 'scripts for Albuterol. It makes it easier to breath - I guess it opens up the breathing tubes. IIRC it is also used for asthma attacks. The only thing I didn't like about it was the after taste it left...but no other side effects that I noticed.

The narcotic cough syrup will help you sleep thru the night and keep the coughing to a minimum. I had whooping cough as a baby and now (38 years later), every cold comes with the croopy/whoopy cough that I have had my whole life. It usually gets to a point at least once during the winter that I ask for the narcotic cough medicine so I can sleep....and so my body can heal from all the coughing.

The steriods - btw - in theory, will help your lungs recover quicker. Or at least I guess that's the reasoning/idea behind them. Maybe someone brighter than I can confirm or deny on that.

For me, bronchitis is usually about 2 weeks (after a week of avoiding the doctor because "its just a cold this time"). Take care of yourself, gets lots of rest and drink water/juice. AVOID milk products, they make things thicker. I spend a lot of time in hot showers because I can breath better. You may find a warm mist may help with the breathing. When all else fails - get a big pillow, a comfy blankie and sleep sitting up in an easy chair.

Good luck and feel better soon.

 

[JadenLayne]

Ha Michelle you are right, I did avoid the Dr. for a week, almost 2 until I was at the point OKAY this isn't going away!!

Sleep has been horrible! I think they may have given me a shot similer to the Albuteral then because whatever they gave me made me shake. Can you get Albuteral in shot form?

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Albuterol can have side effects especially in those new to it. Some listed are:
tremor
nervousness
shakiness
dizziness
excitement
headache
My son takes this med for years now and he still has the occasional side effect especially when he is sick and needs this more often.

The most important thing is to make sure you use the inhaler properly to get the most benefit.

http://www.proventilhfa.com/phfa/ap...y&event_input=using_your_inhaler&category=any

I hope you start feeling better very soon!

 

[Aidensmom]

I use albuterol fairly regular for my asthma - it makes me shaky and a little lightheaded, but I am very sensitive to side effects of medication. The cough medicine will most likely make you drowsy.

 

[JadenLayne]

The more I'm reading the more I do think the shot he gave was probably Albuteral.

At first I thought it was a steroid but it didn't burn like crap like steroid shots do but I was a little nervous and had minor shakes.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

The shot probably wasn't the albuterol - I don't think I've ever heard of being able to use it that way. It's almost always inhaled, although they do make a syrup (doesn't work as well, in my opinion) Most likely it was a dose of the steroid, or of an antibiotic.

Use the codeine cough syrup - it will keep you from coughing, and help you get some sleep.

Hope you feel better quick.

Jen

 

[safetymom]

My daughter got 2 inhalers for her acute bronchitis the other day. She also got an antibiotic, cortisone, claritin d, but no cough medicine.

The doctor mentioned she could have asthma. She didn't have any problems before all this. My late husband had very severe asthma and sure don't want her to have all sorts of problems.

 

[Tazicket]

I take albuterol for asthma. Like others have mentioned, it makes me jittery and lightheaded. On rare occasions, it makes my heart beat really fast, but it does slow down after a few minutes.

As far as bronchitus goes, I get something similar once or twice a year. For me, it tends to stick around for at least 3 weeks. The NP at the Dr's office I go to (I couldn't get an apt with the Dr last time) thinks it's b/c of the asthma and possibly allergies.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I tolerate most medications without any side effects. My 2 exceptions are albuterol, it gives me the shakes and just an all around weird feeling. The other medication I cannot tolerate is ambien, makes me wired.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Albuterol opens your airways, making it easier to breathe. If you are wondering why you have that and a steriod, the steroids are more powerful.

Being jittery is an extremely common side effect.

I don't know what kind of shot you got, but it wasn't albuterol.

If you don't want to take the cough medicine (Hycodan or Hydrocodone, I think it'll say ), no big deal. It isn't helping you get better, just feel better and maybe get some sleep.

But you really should start the rest of your drugs. You went to the doctor for help - he gave it to you. If you decide to forego it, you could end up with pneumonia.