Feel terrible

[Pbob]

Does everyone else with chronic bronchitis feel terrible all the time or is it just me? Dry, bad taste in mouth all the time(I don’t use inhalers), headaches that don’t go away. Chest discomfort off and on, a jittery malaise like feeling all the time, and my throat feels tight or full. This is terrible and my lung function isn’t even that bad yet. I’m 41 and smoked a half a pack-full pack a day for 23 years. I have a 5 year old boy and a 10 month old girl to raise and I’m just beside myself

[Hidden]

Welcome Pb

I'd say you would probably benefit from a prescribed inhaler. Can you speak to your pulmo doctor soonest. Untreated chronic bronchitis can lead to repeated lung infections and further lung damage.

Please do arrange to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

This way manging your symptoms will become easier and you will enjoy a better quality of life.

Further guidance : blf.org.uk/search/site/Chro...

[Pbob in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I have an albuteral inhaler, but my lung function isn’t that bad yet. My pulmo basically shrugs it off when I tell him about my symptoms.

[Hidden in reply to Pbob]

You said you don t use inhalers previously, perhaps use the inhaler you have as perscribed. If symptoms persist and you are not getting any help from your doc who can prescribe additional inhaler/s or meds that may help, consider changing your doctor. Its important to manage your symptoms as best you can in order to keep your condition stable, preserve lung health and longevity.

Best wishes BK

[Katinka46]

Hello PbobWelcome to the forum. I sympathise with your problem, you are very young — well, by my standards! — to feel as ill as you do from COPD. I think that is what chronic bronchitis is? And for your lung function tests to be mild is odd. Can you explain all this to your doctor and get further tests and help? Over here we have problems getting to see our GPs (primary care in US terms) because of Covid. And the same with consultants (attending pulmonologist, for you). But I have had tests, scans and procedures during these tricky times.

All the best

Kate x

[ck101]

You could ask for a trial of Singulair, an anti histamine and a LABA. May make you feel better. The phlegm & cough dies down eventually, it did for me.

[Pbob in reply to ck101]

I tried Singulair for 2 months with no change and I’ve tried Claritin, Zyrtec, and Zyzol with no help. I do take supplements and vitamins like D3, E, turmeric, etc.

[ck101 in reply to Pbob]

I’d get a plan together with a Pulmo and stick with it long term. A mistake I made years back was thinking Singulair didn’t work at all. It was overshadowed by anxiety & preoccupation with my breathing and how I felt, now it’s making a significant difference to my breathing at rest and allergies.

[knitter]

Hi and welcome , I am sorry you feel so unwell, I can sympathise .

I know that you are in the US , but have you had a sputum test , a chest X-ray, blood test , Covid/ Coronavirus test ?

Just to see what may be causing your symptoms …..infection or virus.

Any help with the smoking ?

Feeling ill , with responsibilities also can add to your anxiety .

I don’t really know how your health system works , insurance etc. , but can you go back to your health professional and explain how poorly and worried you feel.

I hope you find help soon.

Best wishes.

[Babyboy12]

Hello sorry to hear this. Just like me I found out last August I have bronchiectasis and my chest is always hurting me even when I breathe it hurts I am a lot older than you be 60 in December but sometimes I feel like 80 year old. My doctor was treating me for asthma for over 30 years but the last few years I was getting lots of chest infection and cough so she than said I got copd I said I never smoked in my life. But still was getting then so she sent me to hospital and the nice lady I saw at heartlands she said you might have asthma but I thing its bronchiectasis but will not know until you have a ct scan after haveing it done had a letter to say its mild bronchiectasis but since last year being getting chest infection every 4 to 5 weeks and getting me down been on antibiotics for over a month now and still not cleared up. Got my doctors phoning me tomorrow. As we still car't go and see them until they speak to us. I am on 3 different inhalers and still get out of breath by walking up the stairs. You should go back to your drs as they told me never stop taken your inhalers as could make it worse for ourselves. I know it's hard for you with looking after two young ones. All the best get in touch with your doctor's x

[sassy59]

Welcome Pbob, you really need help with this and should not just be left to get on with it. My husband Pete has COPD (chronic bronchitis) and has all kinds of medication. I know things are different in the USA but please get your pulmonary doctor to be more proactive in treating you. You can live a good long life by taking care of yourself and having the right meds. Wishing you well. Xxxx

[ck101 in reply to sassy59]

Out of curiosity what meds is he on Sassy? Just for comparison, CB here also…

[sassy59 in reply to ck101]

Pete has nebulised drugs (pulmicort, ipratropium, salbutamol and mucoclear (saline)). He also has meds for acid reflux, stomach problems, statins because of heart disease, aspirin (heart) and a Ventolin inhaler. Plus 10mg of prednisolone per day. It’s hard to think of them all.

Hope you get some help. Xxx

[ck101 in reply to sassy59]

Thanks Sassy just wanted to see if Pete was on an ICS. I’m Duaklir currently, not happy with the anxiety it causes. Looking to switch to Spiriva 1.5 and a low dose ICS for a trial. Singulair so far has been a game changer for me.

[sassy59 in reply to ck101]

Pete can’t tolerate any dry powder inhalers as they make him choke. Good luck to you, hope something works out. Xxx

[ck101 in reply to sassy59]

Good luck to both of you also. Love the xx, some lovely people on here 😀

[Pbob in reply to ck101]

Do you experience these symptoms?

[ck101 in reply to Pbob]

Your Symptoms are :

Dry, bad taste in mouth all the time: No, close your mouth when breathing

Headaches that don’t go away No, but I do get the odd one

Chest discomfort off and on: Yes but not when I take an inhaled steroid or LABA

A jittery malaise like feeling all the time: Only if I take Ventolin / Albuterol

Throat feels tight or full: No, CB has nothing to do with your throat.

The biggest complaints I have is an inability to get a deep breath, pains in chest from time to time, I have a constant wheeze and morning cough (once or twice will I hack not continuous) and I produce phlegm from time to time but very small amounts, not even pea sized. All very minor really.

Hope this helps

[Perrythomas]

Get your sputum checked for bugs and get the right antibiotic - nag your doctor- I had a year of feeling unwell and was misdiagnosed and ended up with a nasty 🤮 stay in hospital, which could have been avoided with earlier intervention

[Tugun]

Hi Pbob,

All your symptoms may not be caused by the same thing. You mention a dry mouth. Different medical conditions may cause that and headaches can be due to dehydration. The jittery malaise feeling is not right and you need to find out why. Are you still smoking or have you given up? However there are so many different possibilities that it is best to see a doctor and get a thorough medical examination including blood tests etc. After checking with the doctor another alternative would be a naturopath. Hair analysis can give you some excellent results regarding your minerals etc. Also a naturopath will be able to give you some good advice on how to get rid of toxins and improve your health. There are some good and some bad naturopaths so getting a good recommendation from someone you trust might point you in the right direction. But definitely a doctor first. If one doesn't take you seriously, then find someone else.

[Pbob]

I have had ct scans which showed trace emphysema which is not a problem. I quit smoking 2 years ago and these symptoms manifested after a chest cold that lasted 2 weeks in early 2020. My sinuses also blew up and required surgery a year ago. I’ve been to multiple doctors/specialists and am my whits end

[ffederbompou]

I am 75 years old. I have had Emphysema for years. And there are times when I can hardly get about, while at other times I am as fit as a fiddle and everything is wonderful. Take each day as it comes. The more you worry the worse it will get. And I will tell you that changes of weather, from hot and sticky to cool and breathable make a huge difference to ones life.

Good luck Brian