Another query.

[Wheezycat]

I am now on the usual antibiotic/prednisolone schedule for a week, due to a cold which hadn’t seemingly become quite a chest infection though the usual crackles and wheezes were diagnosed, and a slightly low oximetry reading (93). And feeling rubbish. But bearing up. It is the cotton wool in my brain and the led (lead?) in my legs I mind particularly, and the coughing attacks especially in the night. As long as I sit still and say little it isn’t so bad in the day.

My query: last time when I did get a proper chest infection I was told it can take up to three months for lungs to properly recover and to feel fully back to normal. It took me about two months before I felt readonably right. If chest gunk isn’t showing an infection so it is just mucous how long could it take at worst? Especially bearing in mind I am rising 70. (Good grief! That sounds so ancient! I don’t mentally feel much over 30-40!)

[Noddy66]

Sounds familiar I was given antibiotics for a chest infection a month ago but not given preds at the time, not my usual GP but in retrospect should have pushed it. Initial improvement soon faded and feeling rough and coughing up sputum with peak flow down to 300 at times (550 at best) prompted return to GP another locum but he immediately recognised need for prednisolone, just taken second 40mg and gunk reduced and PF up to 450. I too am nearing 70 and think maybe age has an effect but try to keep moving. Hope you feel better soon I think a bad chest infection does take time to recover from in my case I think it was mucous from asthma and prednisolone earlier would have done the trick.

[Wheezycat in reply to Noddy66]

Nice to hear from someone of similar age! I think we are treated a little differently, that ageing lungs need to be taking into account. I can’t for instance take part in Asthma UK’s 12 week programme due to my age....different factors to consider.

I don’t think I have a chest infection, though it could well have been on the way to become one. No, rather a chest inflammation caused by asthma, the mucous that gets released. I hope that the antibiotics and steroids combo will see it all off. It was with a doctor I had never met, but he was on the case fast, and I must have been in and out in 5 minutes.

My experience of this in the past is that it really knocks me out/slows me down for up to two weeks, but I can feel slight after effects for up to two months. I have a history of failure to notice and paying attention when I ought to, and playing it down and ignoring (I mustn’t be a wuzz), carrying on with normal life as best as I can, and in the end ending up in hospital for a few days. Thus I am on a path to learn to notice how I feel, and act accordingly, but I don’t have much faith in myself. I am now far better at asking for help in a timely fashion, though, so some things have improved.

My max pf is 370. It has very occasionally reached the dizzy heights of 390. Just now I am about 280-290, but I hope that will be starting to shift very soon.

[Noddy66 in reply to Wheezycat]

I too tend to play down problems and get on with it and until this year it has worked. I'm wary of taking prednisolone too often but it does work well on me. Two hours after second dose and PF up to 425. I'm heading off to the gym now, just for a gentle session to shift some phlegm and anticipate PF to go up 😃

[cherokee6399]

Dear Wheezycat. First, I think that name says it all. I too am close to 70. I have severe asthma which means mine is not controlled on meds. About 5% of asthmatics are considered severe. Thus, I am frequently going to the doctor for prednisone and antibiotics. They help a lot but not for very long. One thing I learned this week as I was one step away from going to the hospital is that one needs to move around. This will trigger coughing but clearing one's lungs of the mucous is what my pulmonologist told me to do. I also use a nebulizer on occasion as this helps break up those chunks in one's bronchial tubes. I hope you feel better soon. I am doing much better than last Thursday when I was a an all time low.

[Wheezycat in reply to cherokee6399]

Think you for that! Yes, I can see importance of moving around. Today I went to our local shop, all of 4 minutes away, walked round it for a few things then back home.....and now I am exhausted! I have done a few things indoors as well, but not much. It is finding that balance between exhaustion and moving around. Not easy! But each day it gets better. I am glad I am not severe, so it doesn’t happen that often for me. I have been doing a little bit of huffing to clear the system, and I will keep that up, I think.

[Noddy66 in reply to Wheezycat]

Well been to gym. Did a quarter of normal regime and amazingly peak flow is 530 very close to maximum. Need to repeat I played rugby till age 62 and never have stopped going to gym so sure that's given me resilience. But considering Sunday night had worst ever attack and PF 250 it shows effect of prednisolone after just two doses. Currently walking out in warm sunshine that's gotta help too.

[Wheezycat in reply to Noddy66]

Well, I did my visit to the Coop earlier today (perhaps 20-25 minutes in all?), and was exhausted when I got home. Just now, 4 hours later, I walked to the Chemists, 7-10 minute walk and back again. Interestingly, not as exhausted. But my peakflow just when I got in was marginally lower than this morning, and then dropped from there with each try. Nothing to worry about, but I wonder if I had used my lungs as far as they could go today.

My main query is about how long it takes for lung and airways tissue to heal fully after an inflammation. In the past I have been told up to three months, but I think that was with infection. Does anyone out there know?

[Noddy66 in reply to Wheezycat]

healthline.com/health/get-s...

Hi Wheezy looking at a few sites inc one up above it certainly says a few weeks. Another thing I learnt from our rugby club physio was diaphragm breathing and pursed lipped breathing which I do at the gym they are mentioned in the link above. Good luck.

[Wheezycat in reply to Noddy66]

Diaphragm breathing I am well aware of, but I will have a look at it as I don’t really know pursed lip breathing (even if I can guess some of it), so I will have a good look. I have been huffing today to help 5he gunk on its way. I also mean to look up Buyteko. And other stuff. Now feet up. I have done lots of stuff today compared to the last few days....and I feel it.

By the way, yoga is also brilliant for breathing.