Bronchitis help

[prismpower]

So I have bronchitis for real, I got the flu really bad this year on Thanksgiving - and then came the monster bronchitis that just won't go away. But my anxiety is making me think I am going to die from it at times.

I am just very worried/anxious about it because I'm still coughing up mucus almost every day since Nov 27th.

I've tried Vick's vapo rub, hot showers, humidifiers, decongestants, inhalers, breathing treatments, nose spray thing/rubbing my face and chest with a hot washcloth, pursed-lip breathing technique - it all seems to only work very temporarily and then I will have an episode that leaves me miserable again. Some days are better than others, probably dependent on the weather. The sickly/infected feeling is virtually all gone I think, but my chest/throat still feels very weirdly uncomfortable w/light headaches until I cough up more mucus. Then I feel relief, until the cycle repeats again. It's not really a pain although sometimes very subtle-ty. It's more like an intense discomfort that keeps me miserable and up all night worrying. My chest/throat also has a very irritated feeling.

My nose is often very stuffed up, then drains out quickly. When my nose is running and everything is getting drained I am feeling much better, though I don't know how to make that happen. Some of the stuff I'm taking is making it worse I just don't know what yet.

What annoys me is everybody around me IRL is smiling at me condescendingly as if I just merely stubbed my toe 'oh it's just bronchitis.' Jesus, maybe it's not life threatening and maybe I won't die from this- but I feel like I'm in hell. I hate it. I heard the bronchial tubes heal slowly- and my obesity on top of everything else is probably making them heal that much slower. I'm thinking.

Is it normal for acute bronchitis to last this long? I wonder if it's chronic but - I have the body chills thing too sometimes and I read you only get that with acute bronchitis. Also I haven't had it for 2 years in a row, longer for three months. btw I got my chest x-rayed and they ruled out pneumonia but I'm worried again cuz that was two weeks ago.

 

[triceps]

Hi prismpower. Sorry you're stuck with bronchitis or some other respiratory infection. It's great that you got a chest x-ray with results that eliminate the dangerous other possibilities. I've had bronchitis a number of times which has sometimes lasted two months but not three.
The one side effect I get from taking Lexapro is a constant runny nose. Each night it drains into my lungs so my first part of each day is coughing up that mucus. Sounds gross but I've gotten used to it and wouldn't think of getting off the Lexapro to get rid of it.
My advice is to stop treating it with temporary relief medications and let it run its' course. Again, sorry you are going through all this respiratory discomfort.

 

[Rosy]

Hi Prismpower. When i saw this I just had to jump in. My daughter is dealing with bronchitis. She said this year was really bad. She starts every year around Thanksgiving and into the New Year. She wouldn't take any of the meds the dr. gave her. She has a thing about meds but that is another story. lol She is starting to feel better but it takes a while. Weather has a lot to do with how it acts. I used to give her prednizone when she was little. I agree with Triceps, let it run it's course and it will let up and you will get back to normal. Sorry you are having trouble.

 

[Rosy]

Thanks Triceps for the like. Am I doing my likes to your posts right. I hit like on your post and then I see a thumbs up on your post with "me" after it. Just making sure I am doing it right. Still learning.

 

[Rosy]

sorry it says"you" after the thumb up. lol

 

[triceps]

Thanks Triceps for the like. Am I doing my likes to your posts right. I hit like on your post and then I see a thumbs up on your post with "me" after it. Just making sure I am doing it right. Still learning.

You're doing just fine

 

[Rosy]

Thanks. Going to do some cleaning. Have a good day.

 

[MarieB]

Yes, bronchitis takes forever to clear up! And with the weather ( depending on where you are) really doesn’t help. Another thing I always check in my area ( online) is the pollen and mold counts in the air. They would not be harmful to your health, but can hinder the healing process if you’re sensitive to that. Hope you feel better soon ( you will)!

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

That sounds miserable - so sorry. Bronchitis (or any respiratory mess) is one of those things that just knocks you on your butt. I hope it clears up soon. Personally, if you keep having symptoms for a long time, and especially if you start having fever, there is nothing wrong with following up again with a doctor since it's been a couple of weeks.

 

[prismpower]

Never any fever, in fact my body temp is usually a bit too low due anxiety I think.

I see my new doctor on Jan 29th. Hopefully it will all be gone by then though, as this is just taking forever.

I had a good couple days though. I was sick this morning, but coughed up mucus and then felt better again for rest of day. It like will heal up almost completely it seems, but then for some weird reason I will get sick again and it will all start over. It is HIGHLY weather dependent, as this morning I was getting a coffee and I was miserable but then it started to rain and suddenly I felt good/normal again. Rainy/snowy days are a lot easier on me, the dry/stark days are hell. And this winter, we've had like 2349723832 of the dry/stark days compared to the rainy/snowy ones lol.

(Yes I have a humidifier and take hot showers, but still it's nothing like the earth's natural weather)

Having anxiety issues on top of this just makes me a nervous wreck, thanks everybody for their support and kindness. I'm sorry I need so much of it , I've been too self-absorbed.

When I am too congested it is the worst. I wonder tho if the zyrtec I'm taking is making me better or worse. I have stopped trying to obsess over it so much and let it run its course like you guys said. My real life Sister also told me the same thing. I don't know if the humidifier running all night is making it bad or worse now even. Some days it seems like it's helping it tons other days it's hurting it, it's like there's no rhyme or reason to it and it's annoying.

When I don't take the zyrtec though its like my body goes crazy from being congested. I get clogged up so easily. Drinking lots of fluids/eating healthy, keeping moving during the day seems to help the most. And not sleeping completely flat on my back. And also, avoiding sugar. Eating sweets seems to make it worse for some reason.

I was definitely overly medicating out of paranoia though, and I think I was prolonging it that way. Also was taking way too much albuterol and it was making me nervous as all get out, but luckily I stopped doing that about two weeks ago.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

Yeah, Albuterol will mess you UP! It's a steroid, so stimulant all the way. I know it can be necessary for clearing up bronchitis, but no wonder you are extra anxious. Winter is hard - hang in there....

 

[Steven]

Hey @prismpower check out my reply on your other post you made about this on the forum. Your situation is just like a friend I have who had the same thing last year and it straight up lasted like 3 months or maybe longer and finally cleared up so have hope. More details on my reply to your other thread. Best wishes and good luck.