I can sympathise with you Dawn, I feel worn out - pain, not breathing properly. I wouldn't say it's too late taking the steroids they should help, I'm very tempted to start on my steroids against my doctors advice as I know my old doctor would have advised taking steroids.
I had the same sort of virus a couple of weeks ago, so I can sympathies with you about the difficulty breathing after even a slight exertion such as walking across the room.
Climbing the stairs had me in a terrible state.
I took the anti biotics and steroids from my rescue pack. Unfortunately neither seemed to help much.
Only when the virus ran its course did I feel better.
My doctor did, in the past tell me that I can take the steroids at any time I feel short of breath, regardless of if I need the anti biotics or not.
I assume from that the two though part of a rescue pack are not necessarily meant to be taken together. Though I usually do.
I did see my doctor after to see if I needed an increase in strength with the steroids, but he insisted that 5mg was adequate for my normal condition.
The virus lasted about 5-6 days so I know what to expect the next time.
We were told by hubby's consultant last week that when he starts his emergency antibiotics that he should start his steroids as well, one fights the infection, the other any inflammation. Hope you are feeling better now.
I have in the past on my Doctors and the Respiratory Nurses instructions taken the Steroids by themselves when my only problem was breathing difficulties, and no chesty phlegm issues.
With regards to the rescue meds, if you suspect an infection is starting then both the antibiotics and the steroids should be started and a sputum sample sent for testing. The antibiotics and steroids work together to combat the infection. The sample determines whether specific antibiotics are required as rescue pack ones are generally broad range antibiotics. Take care, Richard
all this really depends what the infection is. mine started with diarrhea and sickness and rapidly progressed to sweats shivering very cold vey hot all at the same time. at 1/2 5 fri am wife had enought so it was a blue lights job to Q.A. Portsmouth. 1/2 hrs later lo and behold i had pneumonia. so dont take anything about thi scopd for granted, take LOTS of care and call for help as often as you need...
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Pain when breathing in
This weather is so bad for my breathing 😟
Chest tightness when breathing properly
Suddenly Fighting for breath.
Update on my breathing difficulties 
