Any experience with Bronchitis? I have a question (wee update pg. 2)

[Skywalker]

Good morning everyone.

I have had this horrible cough for about three weeks, and based on the symptoms I have been looking up, I am 99% sure that I have bronchitis.

What I can't seem to find out is, is this something that will just run its course and eventually go away, like a cold; or is it something that absolutely requires an antibiotic to get rid of?

I ask because my doctor's office is a nightmare - it is always an hours-long ordeal in a cramped waiting room, as bad as going to the emergency room actually - and so I really, really do not want to go if it is not necessary.

Any advice about this irritating condition would be appreciated!

 

[CathrynRose]

Good morning everyone.

I have had this horrible cough for about three weeks, and based on the symptoms I have been looking up, I am 99% sure that I have bronchitis.

What I can't seem to find out is, is this something that will just run its course and eventually go away, like a cold; or is it something that absolutely requires an antibiotic to get rid of?

I ask because my doctor's office is a nightmare - it is always an hours-long ordeal in a cramped waiting room, as bad as going to the emergency room actually - and so I really, really do not want to go if it is not necessary.

Any advice about this irritating condition would be appreciated!

My mom is a sufferer of Chronic Bronchitis (never even smoked a day in her life, either) so i have a bit of knowledge from her problems.

This could go either way. An Upper Respitory Infection can also resemble Bronchitis. What needs to be determined if whether or not this is bacterial, or viral. If it's viral, yeah - it will run it's course. If it's bacterial, no, it wont run it's course and could turn into phenmonia. Thats always fun!

IMO - and myself having asthma and alllllways worried about lung-cold's, I'd go to the doctor. It's alot easier to get rid of a itty-bitty bout of bronchitis, or an U.R.I. - then a deep, phenmonia-like infection.

Good luck - I hate chest colds.

 

[Cyndiu]

If you have had a very bad cough for 3 weeks you should probably see someone. I have had bronchitus several times (I have asthma, which makes me susceptible.) and they always put me on antibiotics to get rid of it. I would use this experience as a good reason why you should probably get another doctor though. If its such a hassle that you don't even want to go when you're truly sick, you should find a different practice. (That's what I would do, anyway.) Best of luck to you and I hope you feel better soon.

 

[beattyfamily]

I suffer from allergies and asthma and used to get Bronchitis often -- I don't get it much anymore since I've been getting allergy shots, am on asthma medication and get my annual flu shot.

Anyway, yes, it last weeks. No, they almost never gave me antibotics because it was always viral.

An inhaler and cough medicine that extracts flem (sp?) is what works best for relieving it.

I definitely see a doctor, though, to make sure Bronchitis is what it actually is. Good luck.

 

[dumboiu]

Please go in to see your doctor. I thought I had bronchitis but it turned out to be pneumonia. aw:

 

[mickeyfan2]

As an asthmatic I have had asthmatic bronchitis many times. If it lingers for three weeks you need to get to a Dr. You can be passing it on to others. Your body is fighting it off to a level, but now needs a boost to get you over the hill. Are you coughing anything up. If it is yellow or green you have an infection. If it is clear, it just needs to run its course. If it is cloudy you need to monitor it. If it turns to yellow it is getting worse.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have always heard that a viral infection should have run it's course. Bacterial infections may NOT clear themselves up.

I think I would brave a trip to the Dr. just in case.

Do you all have the walk-in clinics up there? You might have to pay. But, if it was not too high, then that may be an option?

Last year we had a complete epidemic of that flu virus, which often came along with bronchitis. I had bronchitis for WEEKS! The first trip to the Dr. didn't help. I finally ended up going to the walk-in clinic, and the Dr. there said he thought that it was a tough strain of bacteria that was becoming resistant to the common antibiotics. He was having luck by going back to the old tetracycline's. That did help!

Hope you are better soon.

 

[Skywalker]

As an asthmatic I have had asthmatic bronchitis many times. If it lingers for three weeks you need to get to a Dr. You can be passing it on to others. Your body is fighting it off to a level, but now needs a boost to get you over the hill. Are you coughing anything up. If it is yellow or green you have an infection. If it is clear, it just needs to run its course. If it is cloudy you need to monitor it. If it turns to yellow it is getting worse.

Yes, I am coughing up stuff constantly (sorry, gross I know) but I don't know the colour because I am too squeamish to "check". LOL. I just close my eyes and get it over with. Guess next time I will investigate.

Thank you all so much...I guess it seems like maybe I should bite the bullet and get to the doctor - just in case.
Yes, we do have walk-in clinics, unfortunately, there is none near me that I know of.

Thank you all again

 

[mickeyfan2]

Yes, I am coughing up stuff constantly (sorry, gross I know) but I don't know the colour because I am too squeamish to "check". LOL. I just close my eyes and get it over with. Guess next time I will investigate.

I know it is gross to investigate it. But the color is the first question that my Asthma Dr. asks about. So I need to "investigate it". I have gotten past the gross part and just look at it as part of my medical treatment.

 

[golfgal]

You need to see a dr. Bronchitis is more of a dry cough, not coughing up too much stuff. Pneumonia tends to bring up more gunk. DD had what we were told was "bronchitis" and it turned out to be asthma. DS had "bronchitis" and it turned out to be pneumonia (our clinic is AWFUL).

 

[Skywalker]

You need to see a dr. Bronchitis is more of a dry cough, not coughing up too much stuff. Pneumonia tends to bring up more gunk. DD had what we were told was "bronchitis" and it turned out to be asthma. DS had "bronchitis" and it turned out to be pneumonia (our clinic is AWFUL).

Hmmm...okay I will definitely go. Better to be sure. Thank you.

 

[dumboiu]

Hmmm...okay I will definitely go. Better to be sure. Thank you.

Good..........and please let us know how you are doing. aw:

 

[luvwinnie]

I always need antibiotics and a prescription cough med when I have bronchitis.

 

[barkley]

i am on week 4 of bronchitis (and i did a round of antibiotics)-it's still there nagging away.

i ended up coughing so hard one nite i tweaked a tendion in my neck. a couple of days later i noticed one of my ears was stuffed up and i thought it was the beginings of an ear infection-nope, a recheck found i coughed so hard i ruptured some blood vessels in my ear drum!

see a doctor, if not for yourself to save someone else in the home from going through it (you can "share the joy" with others).

 

[can'twait]

Definitely go to the doctor. A bacterial infection MIGHT go away without antibiotics, but why torture yourself? My boss and his entire family had a terrible bout with bronchitis a few months ago. He was out of the office for 3 weeks and had to try 2 different types of antibiotics before he could get rid of it. He also pulled muscles coughing and was in some serious pain. If you're not careful it could turn into pneumonia (sp?).

 

[Simba's Mom]

What causes bronchitis to turn into pneumonia? Does it happen very often? I just found out today that my mother (73yo, proud of her "stoicism") was diagnosed with bronchitis today. She was iven a strong antibiotic, with instructions to see her doctor again if she's not "all better" by the end of the week. But knowing Mom, she won't call back! So I'm preparing-what are the chances of it getting worse, especially at her age?

 

[barkley]

i don't know that it turns from one to another, but with seniors and infants a big problem is that they often are in a laying down or seated position and gravity causes fluids to gather in their lungs.

my mom (in her 80's) is constantly being told by us and her doctor to get treatment early (she has a tendency to put off seeing the doctor until she is way past non in patient treatment), and to push fluids and not just retreat to her bed or recliner when she is feeling congested.

 

[Aidensmom]

Another asthma sufferer here who also has frequent bouts of bronchitis. If I get a cold, it will turn into bronchitis, no getting out of it. I always go to the doctor, sometimes it is viral, sometimes it is bacterial. Here in my area when I had it in November, there was a bad bacterial strain going around.

I know when I am getting bronchitis because I get a pain in my back between my shoulder blades even before the coughing begins. Other symptoms I get with bronchitis, besides a high fever which comes on quick is that the cough is one where I often have to cough so hard, that I have to vomit. I also hack up a lot of green gook and robitussin does very little to help.

 

[Poohnatic]

Go to the doctor.

I used to get it every year, when I was a kid I never was taken to the doctor for it. I'd be coughing that nasty, hacking cough from late October until April many a year.

It can easily turn to pneumonia and sinusitis. Antibiotics and prescription strength cough medicine are the best way to get rid of it.

Perhaps you can call and speak to the nurse at the practice? I've been able to describe my symptoms to my regular doctor (or nurse) and what I'd like them to call in for me. Then again, we saw each other quite a bit for my allergy meds. It's worth a try. My docs liked it because it saved them time.

Suzanne

 

[Meezers]

Get thee to a doctor. Please...

Had horrible bronchitis in the military....actually broke 2 ribs from coughing...not fun....

If your cough is productive (nice term there ain't it?) and you are wheezing....you are NOT going to get over this on your own!

Please go and let us know ASAP!