Would Like Some Feedback on My Medical Matter

[Christine]

What would you do??

Right before Easter came down with some virus that caused a lot of post nasal drip and coughing. Coughed a LOT for about 8 days. I finally started to improve and was *almost* better until last Friday when I had a relapse of bad coughing and increased post nasal drip.

I went to my doctor this past Wednesday. He said that I probably did have some viral illness and I am left with a post viral cough. I have now either caught another cold or I am experiencing allergies and this has aggravated my already aggravated larynx, windpipe etc. The doctor was leaning toward allergies and told me to take Claritin and gave me Flonase. He then gave me a prescription for an antibiotic (Keflex) but told me not to take it unless my "secretions" became discolored--that would mean I had a sinus infection.

I proceeded to get worse the next day and was miserable at work on Thursday. I went home and decided to load up on Sudafed and Guafenisen. This really seemed to help and about 2 hours later I was feeling markedly better. Still coughing but the drainage had really decreased. So I continued this and didn't do to bad at work today.

But I can still tell that I am not really improving. The Sudafed helps but I know if I stop I will go back to being miserable. I am now 3 weeks into this with only a short respite in between.

My "secretions" (when I actually get to see them), are clear and not overly thick). I have no sinus pressure, I can get air through my nose as long as I'm taking the Sudafed. I just feel a glob of phlegm in my throat all the time, I keep having to cough it up. I don't see what comes up but can feel it and it's not overly thick.

So, my question is, what do you think about taking the antibiotic? Of course, being the med-phobic that I am, I don't really want to take it. I've never had Keflex or that class before so it scares me. Secondly, I'm really against taking antibiotics unless they are necessary. I feel that when I was younger they were over prescribed (back then) and I don't want to get into that.

But, I am getting desperate. My doctor really doesn't want to hear from me again and left it up to me.

What do you think?

 

[offwegotoneverland]

If your Dr. gave you specific instructions on when to take it (ie discoloured secretions) and that hasn't occured I woudln't take it.

Virus do not respond to antibiotics infections do..their different.

Self prescribing is not a good idea. Keep using the OTC meds and get some rest and eat right...you know what they say about a cold lasting a week without a dr's visit or 7 days with. Give the regimen he suggested a little more time.

 

[MorganLeFey]

I can sympathise. two years ago I had a horrible ear infection, it lasted for several weeks (at lest 3 or 4, as I recall)and multiple visits to the doctor. I was temporarily deaf in my right ear and felt as if I were walking around in a fog. I had to take antibiotics (it was an infection) and flonase for the congestion (sudafed made my heart race).

antibiotics won't clear up the congestion or relieve the nost nasal drip. they'll only work if the underlying cause is an infection.

right now we're having one of the worst springs for pollen and allergens.

If I were in your shoes I wouldn't take the antibiotic.

 

[WeirdEyes]

I've had the same thing and it was a sinus infection and bronchitis PLUS allergies. I had to take 2 rounds of antibiotics to get it cleared. I would go to another doctor. I've had many sinus infections without a discolored discharge. Does your throat hurt? You normally do with a sinus infection. Good luck and feel better.

 

[Puffy2]

It sounds like allergy which can make one miserable.

I wouldn't take the Keflex unless the sputum changes color (yellow/green).

With similar symptoms, I've used Nyquil at night and woke up feeling much better.

 

[Christine]

I've had many sinus infections without a discolored discharge. Does your throat hurt? You normally do with a sinus infection. Good luck and feel better.

Well I was wondering about that--the colored discharge. No, my throat doesn't hurt at all, despite all the coughing. I have absolutely no pressure either. Nothing comes out of my nose. I never need to blow it. It all is running down the back. Very weird.

 

[WeirdEyes]

If your throat doesn't hurt, then it's likely NOT a sinus infection. I know my allergies have been horrible lately. Keep using your Flonase. See if your doctor will call you in some Singulair or Allegra. They both help a lot. Claritin doesn't do anything for me. Take care!

 

[GoodFairies]

It sounds like allergies to me; I am currently experiencing the same phlegm issues and I am not sick. Are you taking both the Claritin and the Flonase? I'd probably skip the Sudafed and cough syrup at this point. If you are only taking the Flonase, you should know that it takes about two weeks for it to start working and so you should be supplementing that with the Claritin for that time period. Also, if you are going to be using Flonase for an extended period of time, you should use saline nasal spray with it, because it will help keep your passages from getting irritated. For the mucus problem, I recommend Mucinex. It worked much better than the Robitussin for me. I take it before going to bed on those nights that I know reclining is going to give me that choking feeling due to all the fluid. If you can, use an extra pillow so that you aren't laying completely flat. Avoid OJ and milk as these will just make the mucus build up worse and drink your water at near room temperature if you can stand it because very cold water can also make it worse.

 

[Christine]

It sounds like allergies to me; I am currently experiencing the same phlegm issues and I am not sick. Are you taking both the Claritin and the Flonase? I'd probably skip the Sudafed and cough syrup at this point. If you are only taking the Flonase, you should know that it takes about two weeks for it to start working and so you should be supplementing that with the Claritin for that time period. Also, if you are going to be using Flonase for an extended period of time, you should use saline nasal spray with it, because it will help keep your passages from getting irritated. For the mucus problem, I recommend Mucinex. It worked much better than the Robitussin for me. I take it before going to bed on those nights that I know reclining is going to give me that choking feeling due to all the fluid. If you can, use an extra pillow so that you aren't laying completely flat. Avoid OJ and milk as these will just make the mucus build up worse and drink your water at near room temperature if you can stand it because very cold water can also make it worse.

Yes, I'm taking the Claritin and Flonase at the same time. However, today, after using the Flonase I got really dizzy. Looked at the side effects thinking that was normal and it turns out that dizzyness with Flonase is a sign of allergic reaction. I've tried Claritin in the past and it never worked for me, but am using it again (still doesn't seem to work). The Sudafed is the only thing keeping me sane right now.

I bought the guafenisin which is exactly what Mucinex is so I don't think changing brands would make a difference. I made sure that I am taking the same amount of guafenisin that is in the Mucinex (and it's much cheaper). The guafenisin syrup doesn't have anything else in it (like a cough suppresent).

 

[GoodFairies]

Yes, I'm taking the Claritin and Flonase at the same time. However, today, after using the Flonase I got really dizzy. Looked at the side effects thinking that was normal and it turns out that dizzyness with Flonase is a sign of allergic reaction. I've tried Claritin in the past and it never worked for me, but am using it again (still doesn't seem to work). The Sudafed is the only thing keeping me sane right now.

I bought the guafenisin which is exactly what Mucinex is so I don't think changing brands would make a difference. I made sure that I am taking the same amount of guafenisin that is in the Mucinex (and it's much cheaper). The guafenisin syrup doesn't have anything else in it (like a cough suppresent).

I've just had better luck with the Mucinex than the syrup; it could be because of the time-release thing--it relieves my symptoms longer than the syrup. Plus I have the same issue with the syrup as with the milk and OJ (it makes me feel more phlegmy).

It seems that I read that many people report that Claritin works better for them than Allegra, but if even the Claritin isn't working for you, maybe Singulair is in order. I don't think any version of it is available otc. It's usually used to help with asthma, but has been reported to also help with allergies.

If you find you don't like Flonase, maybe you could try Rhinocort instead. I was switched from Flonase to Rhinocort based solely on the side effects I was having with the Flonase, not because it wasn't working for me.

Hope you find some relief.

 

[Evil Genius]

Try taking an antihistimine at night and using Mucinex DM.

 

[Christine]

I've just had better luck with the Mucinex than the syrup; it could be because of the time-release thing--it relieves my symptoms longer than the syrup. Plus I have the same issue with the syrup as with the milk and OJ (it makes me feel more phlegmy).

It seems that I read that many people report that Claritin works better for them than Allegra, but if even the Claritin isn't working for you, maybe Singulair is in order. I don't think any version of it is available otc. It's usually used to help with asthma, but has been reported to also help with allergies.

If you find you don't like Flonase, maybe you could try Rhinocort instead. I was switched from Flonase to Rhinocort based solely on the side effects I was having with the Flonase, not because it wasn't working for me.

Hope you find some relief.

Thanks. My doctor did say that if I don't improve next week (and am not having colored discharge) to come back in so we could discuss "stronger" allergy meds, possibly CT scan my sinus, chest x-ray (although I had one when this started), and a whole bunch of other stuff.

I am familiar with the other meds you mentioned. My son has severe allergies and takes Zyrtec and Singulair together.

 

[dejr_8]

Try Singulair (as was suggested). I've tried every anti-histamine and they didn't work. Singulair clears me up in 2-3 days. Singulair is not an anti-histamine.

 

[YourMajesty]

What about benadryl at night. During times when my DS is drowning is drainage we do zyrtec during the day and benadryl at night (only for a couple of days). Benadryl can work as a cough supressant if the drainage is causing the cough. Try a couple tonight if you have a full night to rest. Also, there is Flonase, Rhinocort, Nascort(my favorite) and nasonex(DS uses this)...so ask you md for some other samples.

 

[angel's momma]

Do you cough so hard sometimes that you have trouble catching your breath?


4/1 I started the post nasal drip, which I tend to get & didn't think too much about. Normally, it only lasts a few days for me, but this time it was longer. By Fri., I thought I was feeling better though.

Sat. night the cough became really bad. I wasn't able to keep down food for several days, due to the coughing.

DH finally convinced me to call the Dr. on 4/13 - I got an appointment for the next day. Of course, the cough got better before my appointment.

Dr. said this was going around, and prescribed Zithromax. I did seem to feel better for a few days.

Then the coughing became so bad, especially at night. I would wake up gasping for air.

Turns out that it's probably whooping cough, but I'm told that it's too late to confirm it.

It's not as bad now, but it's not totally gone yet.

Hopefully yours is just allergies, but since you said it's been several weeks you may want to check on this.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Claritin/Flonase never worked for me either. My favorite allergy med is Zyrtec, worked great.

 

[psammie1025]

Stop taking the sudafed, it's a decongestant & it causes the drainage. Just stick to what the dr has told you to take! Without the sudafed, you won't have so much drainage & the claritin with then help with the post nasal drip. I'm not a dr, but I am a pharmacy tech & I know what the pharmacist tell the patients & they recommend the claritin too!

 

[Christine]

Do you cough so hard sometimes that you have trouble catching your breath?


4/1 I started the post nasal drip, which I tend to get & didn't think too much about. Normally, it only lasts a few days for me, but this time it was longer. By Fri., I thought I was feeling better though.

Sat. night the cough became really bad. I wasn't able to keep down food for several days, due to the coughing.

DH finally convinced me to call the Dr. on 4/13 - I got an appointment for the next day. Of course, the cough got better before my appointment.

Dr. said this was going around, and prescribed Zithromax. I did seem to feel better for a few days.

Then the coughing became so bad, especially at night. I would wake up gasping for air.

Turns out that it's probably whooping cough, but I'm told that it's too late to confirm it.

It's not as bad now, but it's not totally gone yet.

Hopefully yours is just allergies, but since you said it's been several weeks you may want to check on this.

I have suspected since the first week of coughing that it might be whooping cough. The last two coughing fits caused me to "whoop." As you said, I am 3 weeks into this, too late to confirm it, and too late to do anything about it. Unfortunately, the post nasal drip seems to worsen it and when I get that to stop the coughing slows down (but does not stop). I'm beginning to think that I will have to live with this for awhile.

Two women in my office have been coughing since March. They've also been to the doctor with do good diagnois/cure.

 

[Christine]

Stop taking the sudafed, it's a decongestant & it causes the drainage. Just stick to what the dr has told you to take! Without the sudafed, you won't have so much drainage & the claritin with then help with the post nasal drip. I'm not a dr, but I am a pharmacy tech & I know what the pharmacist tell the patients & they recommend the claritin too!

I get what you are saying; however, why is the Sudafed stopping my drainage. When I was just taking the Claritin nothing happened and, in fact, I felt so much worse the next day. When I added the Sudafed I felt so much better.

But, it is Saturday and I don't have to work so I'm going to do a bit of an experiment to see how I feel without the Sudafed.

 

[lsyorke]

His choice of Keflex is VERY strange! That would not be the best antibiotic for a sinus infection. Keflex is usually used for "tissue" infections.. post operative protection, skin infections.

Zithromax or another penicillin based antibiotic would be more appropriate.