Bronchitis

[FutureMrsC]

I was diagnosed with bronchitis yesterday; my doctor gave me the z-pack (azithromyacin) antibiotic, as well as cough syrup with codeine to take at night so I can sleep.

I haven't ever really had bronchitis before (tons of chronic sinus/ear infections), so this is pretty new to me. Robitussin helps somewhat, but my throat is absolutely killing me (from all the irritation from coughing, I suppose).

Anyway... I know it will all pass within a few days or so, but beyond rest & staying hydrated, are there any other "tried and true" remedies that anyone could suggest?

(I do normally search online, but I'd rather get some suggestions from people who have been there/done that).

Thanks!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Warm liquids with honey, when my kids were little we even warmed up lemonade and iced-tea.

When you take your cough medicine let it sit in the back of your throat for a few seconds before you swallow.

Hope you feel better real soon!

 

[czycropper]

I get bronchitis all the time - for the sore throat I just suck on hard candy also as suggested above drink something with honey in it - it really does help. The sore throat will go away shortly after the medicine kicks in, hang in there

 

[tazdev3225]

I get bronchitis all the time - for the sore throat I just suck on hard candy also as suggested above drink something with honey in it - it really does help. The sore throat will go away shortly after the medicine kicks in, hang in there

I agree. I also have chronic bronchitis and once the meds kick in the sore throat does tend to get better. Sucking on hard candy's or cough drops works for me. It helps keep your throat moist.

 

[quentina]

I seem to always have it....the z-pak will work quickly! You will feel better soon. In the mean time, drink lots of fluids!

 

[FutureMrsC]

Thank you all so much for your suggestions so far! Next time I get up, I'm definitely going to try tea & honey!

 

[shortbun]

I'm on day two of antibiotics for bronchitis. Seems to be the sickness that comes after a virus around here. I'm sitting up to sleep(in the corner of the couch) and I'm taking care not to let my meds wear off. I'm also taking Mucinex per the doctor. Warm fluids seem to keep my throat calm but the cold ones soothe my sore throat. Oh yeah-ibuprofen for the sore throat works too. Good luck!

 

[minkydog]

Ginger ale, jello and popsicles. I get bronchitis at least once or twice a year *I have asthma.* Any little cold goes right to my chest. I can't stand Robitussin so I take Maximum strength Mucinex. THat really loosens my chest up. Other than that it's just warm baths, hot tea, tylenol, and sappy movies.

 

[Nette]

And beware the cough syrup w/ codeine will constipate you!

 

[Maleficient]

ER nurse here - its nasty, but really warm (as you can stand) salt water gargles will help with the pain of the sore throat. If you think there is any post nasal drip going on that also causes sore throats, try rinsing out you nose with warm salt water with a neti pot.

And azithromycin is best choice for chest bugs - remember that it continues in your system after the 5 days are up, so don't get too discouraged if you're not 100% by the end of your pak. Hope you feel better!

 

[Tess]

ER nurse here - its nasty, but really warm (as you can stand) salt water gargles will help with the pain of the sore throat. If you think there is any post nasal drip going on that also causes sore throats, try rinsing out you nose with warm salt water with a neti pot.

And azithromycin is best choice for chest bugs - remember that it continues in your system after the 5 days are up, so don't get too discouraged if you're not 100% by the end of your pak. Hope you feel better!

I am on week three of bronchitis. Week #1, coughing and low grade fever, week #2, diagnosed with bronchitis and 7 day course of zithro, week #3 ended course of antibiotic--cough subsiding; BUT chest pain from all the coughing and still not breathing 100%. Slowly but surely I am getting better. The cough will most likely linger long after the meds.

 

[FutureMrsC]

Maleficent- thank you! I love my neti pot (use it religiously because of my frequent sinus infections)... somehow it hadn't ever occurred to me to gargle with salt water! Hoping that the zpack will work, I've taken it many times for sinus infections- unfortunately, I think it's possible that I'm developing some kind of tolerance to it, as the last time I took it, even 2 weeks later things hadn't improved (hopefully that's just because of various inflammation- I needed a prednisone pack then).

I wish I could take ibuprofen/NSAIDS, but I cannot. I'm stuck with tylenol, which does nothing for any inflammation.

Tess, I hope you start feeling much better soon.

 

[Tess]

Maleficent- thank you! I love my neti pot (use it religiously because of my frequent sinus infections)... somehow it hadn't ever occurred to me to gargle with salt water! Hoping that the zpack will work, I've taken it many times for sinus infections- unfortunately, I think it's possible that I'm developing some kind of tolerance to it, as the last time I took it, even 2 weeks later things hadn't improved (hopefully that's just because of various inflammation- I needed a prednisone pack then).

I wish I could take ibuprofen/NSAIDS, but I cannot. I'm stuck with tylenol, which does nothing for any inflammation.

Tess, I hope you start feeling much better soon.

Thanks and you as well. . .it seems we are both in the same boat--I, too, am stuck with only Tylenol for pain relief and it really doesn't do much for me.

 

[Maleficient]

Tess - its possible that you had a pneumonia which could be viral (since your temp was low grade) and that sometimes takes weeks to resolve - what a pain! I just went through that myself - I'd been coughing and sinusy since 2 weeks before xmas and I am finally not coughing or short of breath on exertion anymore. Good luck and I hope you both feel better soon!

 

[Tess]

Tess - its possible that you had a pneumonia which could be viral (since your temp was low grade) and that sometimes takes weeks to resolve - what a pain! I just went through that myself - I'd been coughing and sinusy since 2 weeks before xmas and I am finally not coughing or short of breath on exertion anymore. Good luck and I hope you both feel better soon!

I have had pneumonia quite a few times in my life and it could very well have been that vs bronchitis. The doc didn't do an x-ray, but she did note that both lower lobes were bad. In the past when I have had pneumonia, I felt fine and didn't even appreciate the temp. After beginning antibiotics, I always feel worse for a couple of days before I begin to feel better. Thankfully, I didn't feel all that horrible this time around, but that cough was wicked nasty!

Thanks for the warm wishes Maleficient!

 

[momof5boys]

Please know that bronchitis can be viral also! Another ER nurse here. I used to get it every spring and summer. Antibiotics never worked for me! My cough would continue for weeks, the longest was 7 weeks! I drove the staff crazy, every doc was writing me different presciptions for antibiotics or cough meds. The supervisior forced me to take Robitussin(that tastes so awful!) and it didn't work, I told her never again! Since I've been taking my vitamins I rarely get it anymore! Remember to take tylenol or advil for your sore throat and sore chest and back. Feel better soon!

 

[momof1princess]

I am on week three of bronchitis. Week #1, coughing and low grade fever, week #2, diagnosed with bronchitis and 7 day course of zithro, week #3 ended course of antibiotic--cough subsiding; BUT chest pain from all the coughing and still not breathing 100%. Slowly but surely I am getting better. The cough will most likely linger long after the meds.

if you end up having to go back to the doctor, ask for a breathing treatment. i get bronchitis a couple of times a year, and i ALWAYS get a breathing treatment. i'm very surprised you're on week 3 of this and your doctor hasn't given you one, especially if you're having chest pain with it. i always get the chest pain too. about 3 years ago, i had bronchitis really bad and actually stopped breathing WHILE the doctor was listening to my lungs. he turned white as a sheet and yelled for a nurse and an oxygen tank, lol. wasn't funny then, but thinking about the look on his face at that moment gives me a giggle now. hope you get well soon

 

[Maridw]

I've got bronchitis too. I found out Tuesday. Started feeling bad on Saturday, worse Sunday. Doctor put me on Z-pak, Singulair, Nasonex and Albuterol. Today has been the best day yet. He even wrote me a note to be off work for a week - unfortunately I am not employed right now.

I usually get walking pneumonia though it has been awhile since I have had that. I don't usually get really sick, but when I do, I do. The first time I had walking pneumonia, I went to the doctor about laryngitis and he said I had walking pneumonia too. Great, just what I wanted to hear.

I find that Hot, Steamy showers are also great for opening up my lungs some. I get the shower as hot as I can stand it and then make sure the bathroom door is closed to keep the steam in.

I am bummed because I am supposed to be performing in a charity event in a week and I just want to make sure I am better by then. Thankfully I am only in a couple numbers and have a long break after the second one to the third one, so I can rest. We have rehearsals all next week. This event is done every two years and there is usually only a couple weeks practice, a week of rehearsals/run throughs and then the show. I have missed a full week of practice.

Get lots of rest and get better.

 

[anniemae]

How do you know if you have bronchitis or a regular cold? I know a dr. would listen to your chest and diagnose you, but what would send you to the dr. and make you think it was more that a run-of-the-mill cold?

 

[momof1princess]

How do you know if you have bronchitis or a regular cold? I know a dr. would listen to your chest and diagnose you, but what would send you to the dr. and make you think it was more that a run-of-the-mill cold?

in my case, i have severe coughing, trouble breathing and chest pain on the right side of my sternum. i am unable to take a deep breath, and have, on occasion, been unable to breathe at all. all of this is usually precipitated by sinus problems-the drainage finds its way into my lungs, and becomes bronchitis.