New to this condition

[reinaway]

Although pretty ancient now and have been pronè to chest coughs all my life when having a cold, the past 8 months I have had the worst chest experience starting with a chest infection last March. I was hospitalised then not being able to breathe and diagnosed with acute viral bronchitis. Sent home with blue nebulizer and steroids. Since then I have had repeated attacks of wheezing and terrible coughing which again have been treated with antibiotics and steroids. It now seems like the gaps between attacks are getting shorter so is it likely that I am developing one of the conditions described on this forum? I have a heart condition on top of this and that forum has helped me immensely over the years. I've bought a humidifier for my bedroom and wonder if this will help? Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated 😌

[sassy59]

Good morning reinaway, it sounds as if further investigation is needed and a diagnosis reached. I hope you have good medical support and will get the help you need.

Good to see you’ve had treatment for your AF. I also have that but not too badly thank goodness.

Wishing you well. Xx

[Patk1]

Do u have any inhalers to help with breathing,wheezing etc? Do try to avoid viruses which can trigger yr symptoms and often trigger asthma &Flare ups of many lung diseases. Avoid people with viruses,even colds; perhaps use viral " blockers" eg coldzyme throat spray+ vicks rescue nasal sprY; carry& use handgel; masks etc.i use air purifiers- just sm quiet ones,off Ebay with hepa + carbon filters.i take antihistamines too

[Alberta56]

It sounds as if there is still a nasty lurking in your lungs. Sassy is right- you need to go back to your doctor, preferably with a sputum sample if you can manage it.

[MoyB]

I agree with Sassy and Alberta. I was back and forth to my GP for many months before I put my foot down and said, 'Enough is enough!' I asked for a referral to a resp consultant and, as there was a long wait predicted, I asked for a private consultation which I got two weeks later.

My resp consultant was a bit horrified when he listened to my chest, did a spirometry test and took my history. He transferred me to his NHS list immediately and ordered a chest x ray and CT scan. COPD, Bronchiectasis and asthma were the diagnoses - later reclassified as asthma with fixed airways disease and Bronchiectasis.

Thanks to regular treatment 'tweaks' by my consultant, I eventually got back to better health and am able to enjoy life again.

Please don't be fobbed off by your GP who is probably doing their best but may be underqualified to treat whatever is causing your problems. Also, remember that there are many treatments that can only be prescribed at consultant level. My inhalers are included in that due to the steroid level in them and also, the prophylactic antibiotic that I take three times a week (Azithromycin).

xx Moy