Post-Bronchitis

[Kristy1985]

Hi all!

I am at my wit’s end. I was diagnosed with bronchitis over 6 weeks ago— and am still having symptoms. I’ve been to the doctor (allergist, primary, pulmonologist) over 7 times. And the ER twice. They all say it’s “inflammation” from the bronchitis and can last for some time. I’ve had two chest x-rays, CT scan of chest, blood work, Spirometry. All normal. Negative for mycoplasma and whooping cough. Lungs always clear. Oxygen always normal. I’ve taken two z-packs, two methylprednisone packs, and finally a prednisone taper(which I rescued to but did finally alleviate some of my SOB and coughing. The pulmonologist said that I didn’t get enough prednisone initially and rebounded. However, after finishing the taper (6 days— couldn’t finish due to reaction which he said was OK), I still feel crummy.

Mentally and physically I am spent. I am still coughing and can feel inflammation in my chest, particularly bad in the AM. I have missed so much work and this has all impacted my anxiety.

Has anyone experience similar symptoms? Can this kind of thing really linger? Doctors say I do not have an infection. I have mild asthma that was super controlled before this, no meds needed. Now I feel like an invalid. I’m taking pulmocort 2x day and Albuterol per pulmonologist for now.

Thank you in advance! Please make me feel less alone! I feel like I will never heal.

[Mogget]

Hi, sorry to hear you're going through this! I had bronchitis a couple of years ago and it took about 3 months for everything to clear up properly. After the initial crackling, phlegm and inflammation (visible on x-ray) disappeared I was still having symptoms for quite a number of weeks and nothing was showing up in terms of oxygen levels etc. So whilst the original infection might be gone you can still be impacted as your asthmatic lungs take a little longer to recover! So it can be a drag but hang in there - it should all clear up

[Kristy1985 in reply to Mogget]

Thank you, Mogget! Glad to hear I’m not alone.

[Chester801]

Hi, I was diagnosed with asthma about two years ago but had been lazy with the inhaler since I usually felt OK. In March I had the influenza A, the asthma seemed worse. Just as I was getting better, I was diagnosed with atypical pneumonia. My coughing was so out of control. I took Prednisone for 3 weeks because I wasn’t getting better. During that time, I was miserable physically and mentally. Zpak twice just like you. I still cough, but I feel much better now. I did and still do saline with eucalyptus nasal spray. I rested a lot. I was sick for over a month and thought I’d never get better but did. Hang in there.

[Norsca]

Could it be a viral infection rather than bacterial?

[Kristy1985 in reply to Norsca]

I’m thinking it must be.....

[Johnboyglasgow]

Hi Kirsty. I've been suffering for a year. Same symptoms but no more coughing gladly. I picked up a very nasty virus in the upper respiratory last year which resulted in continuous infection s over a 16 week period. Severe coughing bouts lasting 5 hours or more caused lots of stress to my bronchi plus throat. The main issues now are constant throat clearing but it's is reducing. Plus heavy throat and chest in the morning and also inflamed back nasal passages. It does take a long time to settle so I know what you are going through. Take lots of good rest. Settle the chest down. Avoid chemicals, perfumes, candles, strong soap, car fumes. Avoid anything that could irritate your chest. What has worked for me massively is deep breathing following the wim hof method. Check him out.

It super helps and has reduced my inflammation. It's hard at first but persevere. Look at herbal remedies. Take lots of Turmeric and anti inflammatory foods. Check your vitamin d and a levels as both have a direct role in upper respiratory health. Many people have deficiencies in converting both in their systems. But stay strong and do everything you can to help alleviate the symptoms to let your body repair itself. I take a preventer inhaler also twice a day but now starting to come off it. Good luck.

[Kristy1985 in reply to Johnboyglasgow]

So sorry to hear about your experience. Did they treat you with antibiotics?

[Johnboyglasgow in reply to Kristy1985]

Yes, I've had 4 occurrences of bronchi infection since Jan and were put on Doxycycline. Not had an infection since end of march.

[Kristy1985 in reply to Johnboyglasgow]

Hope you feel better xx

[Sparkywoo]

Johnboy Glasgow makes a lot of good points. It can takes ages for the inflammation to settle post infection, I mean months and months. Interestingly you mention you suffer with anxiety. I believe breathing problems and anxiety are a dreadful mix. You can’t escape not being able to breathe properly, it’s all you can think about and I can actually make my breathing worse by overthinking it. The best advice I was given was distract yourself, read a good book, watch a film. My asthma nurse advised me to keep brown paper bags at home and when my breathing was bad try using those - soon sorted our the anxiety induced panic attacks from the real breathing problems.

[Kristy1985 in reply to Sparkywoo]

That’s great advice- thanks! It’s a vicious cycle. I just cannot believe how long this is taking to get better, how gradual the process is. I do believe it is most likely viral.