Chest infections

[0137kaz45]

Hi everyone, i have PBC and had it for 4 years, i am not to bad, get a few aches and pains some times, bu since christmas i have had 2 bad chest infections, this one i have at the mo it is the worse i had to have two weeks off work, does anyone else have the same problem or am i just unlucky regards kaz

[Jeannie31]

I've not had chest infections but I have had three colds and a bad dose of 'flu since Christmas. I was diagnosed with PBC about four years ago and I think the main problem is that the immune system doesn't work as well as it should. I've started taking zinc with vitamin C to help build it up and I think next winter I'll definitely start taking it early in an effort to build up my immune system. Have you talked to your GP about what you can do to avoid the chest infections?

Hope you feel better soon.

Take care

[0137kaz45 in reply to Jeannie31]

Hi Jeannie, thank you for repleying, i am feeling much better today the antibiotics have kicked in and i should be back at work on monday I might try the zinc and vitamin c , thanks again regards karen

[Hidden]

Hi

Sounds nasty. Hope you feel better soon. I have had a few colds etc, but not really anything more than normal, hubby is suffering at the moment and he has not got underlying conditions, so you might just be unlucky.

I must admit I have the flu jab each year now.... We are entitled to it. I usually just get the gp to do it when I go and see them rather than hanging around in a queue with everyone else. There have been and are some nasty bugs going around this year, which when you feel low and have lower immunity are probably worse. As jeannie31 suggests zinc and vit c are supposed to help, but it takes me all my time to remember to take my urso and vit d, never mind more tablets...

Take care

Lou

[0137kaz45 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lou, i am much better today thank you , i have been offered the flu jab but not had it, someone said it gives you flu lol , will give the zinc and vitc a go, i know what u mean about rembering urso and vit d , thank again regards karen

[Wendom]

Hi there I take zinc one a day I got two chest infections in 12 months I had to have three courses of antibiotics both times last chest infection lasted 10 weeks it was awful coughed so much I was sick every day I've had breathing problems for a few years but respitory docs can't get to the bottom of it I have shortness if breath on exertion this scares me as I constantly read about lung problems with autoimmune diseases when I last saw my liver consultant in December I had the chest infection and it was him that said I needed the zinc he said mine was low so I've been taking it ever since on his advice hope this helps take care x

[Tumbleweed41 in reply to Wendom]

Wendom -

Have you been checked for C.O.P.D.? I have not had any chest infections but have had the breathing problems. They tested me 14 months ago and I have COPD for which I now use an inhaler and Spiriva. No more breathing attacks -

[0137kaz45 in reply to Tumbleweed41]

Hi, whats C O P D ? please

[Hidden in reply to 0137kaz45]

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

My late father developed this but it was diagnosed as emphysema. He was a smoker all his life and had he not have developed something else (not related) he would probably have gone on to using oxygen, inhalers and ventilators plus steroids as he sounded worse than an asthmatic under attack.

On his death certificate which I never really took much notice of 16yrs ago COPD was put down as one of the causes as I had cause to get it out last year and noticed this.

My husband's late father developed COPD back in the 1990s and he continued smoking heavily and ended up on oxygen, steroids, etc. He died last year when his heart caused problems and COPD was also noted as a cause.

I wasn't aware until last year that it seems that a lot of chest problems are now clumped together under this one name COPD.

[0137kaz45 in reply to Wendom]

Hi Wendom, i am just about to start a thrid course of antibiotics , had this for about a month now so hope to shift soon, i coughed so much the pain in my ribs was horrible and painful too, i will deff try zinc , got my pbc check on wedesday so will speak to them then to see what they say... many thanks regards karen

[Hidden in reply to Wendom]

Are you aware that shortness of breath on exertion can actually be due to oxygen in the blood levels and not actually your lungs?

Anaemia for one can cause shortness of breathe as apparently can others.

[Axl888]

Hi there, I suffer with chest infections. I have had pneumonia twice. I have a terrible cough at the moment which has been ongoing for about 5-6 weeks. I have been quite busy and stressed at work and I know that is not helping. Have told myself if it doesn't improve with me resting over this bank holiday weekend, need to go to docs for antibiotics. Try to avoid taking them if possible. I think I might look into COPD as I struggle to breathe sometimes - I have had anaemia and know what that feels like, but this is different and I am no longer anaemic. Thanks for the tip.