ugh please help....

[prismpower]

So my bronchitis is super bad today. I feel infected again, and it terrifies me. I thought that feeling had went away, but it came back. I think I'm dying now with a virus that is not treatable. Coughed up mucus about 4-5 times. The first time it was orange, maybe because I just tried drinking OJ, but then it was green/yellow and then finally white/clear. Is that a good sign or bad sign, I have no idea. I now am worried I have both bacterial and viral bronchitis even though I took an antibiotic almost two months ago. (the antibiotic back then really didn't help as you can see) This illness just totally confuses and owns me.

I took a mucinex last night before bed, and now I am thinking it did more harm than help. I wasn't even all that bad before I went to bed, but then I woke up like this, feeling very infected all over in my chest. That infectious feeling is what scares me the most. I did not listen to you guys and my sister telling me to let it run its course naturally sorry. The mucus had blocked my breathing yesterday and scared me again so I felt I had to do something. I took one mucunex and it helped, but then the 2nd one I took didn't need made me feel good at all. Is this normal, does anybody know?

The anxiety on top of the feeling unwell is making me absolutely miserable. If it lasts another six days, it will be two months now since I've had it.

 

[triceps]

So my bronchitis is super bad today. I feel infected again, and it terrifies me. I thought that feeling had went away, but it came back. I think I'm dying now with a virus that is not treatable. Coughed up mucus about 4-5 times. The first time it was orange, maybe because I just tried drinking OJ, but then it was green/yellow and then finally white/clear. Is that a good sign or bad sign, I have no idea. I now am worried I have both bacterial and viral bronchitis even though I took an antibiotic almost two months ago. (the antibiotic back then really didn't help as you can see) This illness just totally confuses and owns me.

I took a mucinex last night before bed, and now I am thinking it did more harm than help. I wasn't even all that bad before I went to bed, but then I woke up like this, feeling very infected all over in my chest. That infectious feeling is what scares me the most. I did not listen to you guys and my sister telling me to let it run its course naturally sorry. The mucus had blocked my breathing yesterday and scared me again so I felt I had to do something. I took one mucunex and it helped, but then the 2nd one I took didn't need made me feel good at all. Is this normal, does anybody know?

The anxiety on top of the feeling unwell is making me absolutely miserable. If it lasts another six days, it will be two months now since I've had it.

Hi prismpower. Sounds like nothing else is working so it might be time to really just accept you've got bronchitis and ride it out without medications, steaming or getting your hopes up for nothing with some other treatment.Your mucus color sounds fine. Remember that the "infectious feeling" is just your anxiety.

 

[prismpower]

okay im trying, its horrid tho. I feel like I'm in a nightmare I am so stressed.

The infectious feeling happened when I first woke up, it didn't feel like I was imagining it. My chest felt physically very irritated red/infected still then I thought I could never be helped. Then I read about ppl dying from the flu a lot this year and got so scared.

Now just trying to ride it out. It is hell.

 

[triceps]

okay im trying, its horrid tho. I feel like I'm in a nightmare I am so stressed.

The infectious feeling happened when I first woke up, it didn't feel like I was imagining it. My chest felt physically very irritated red/infected still then I thought I could never be helped. Then I read about ppl dying from the flu a lot this year and got so scared.

Now just trying to ride it out. It is hell.

When you're able to accept not doing anything more for it your anxiety should lessen. Plus if you're not thinking about what can be done for it, that it's something that just needs to run its' course, you'll have less focus on it. Good luck, feel better.

 

[prismpower]

@triceps

Thank you. Is it normal though to have it last this long? I've had this since Nov. 27th after having the flu really bad. It's been a roller coaster I just want to get off. I think I'm getting better, then it always comes back.

 

[triceps]

Hi prismpower. It's unusual, I think for it to have lasted this long. I'd give it another week and if you're still coughing (don't worry about the mucus, it's just part of the malady) then I would think about another doctor's appointment.

 

[prismpower]

@triceps

Yeah I have an appointment with my doctor on the 29th so that works out well.

I already have an inhaler, humidifier and decongestant and sinus medicine. I just don't know how to use what or when it's so confusing. And I don't want to take something to make it worse. So much so that today finally I stopped taking all medications and just let it played out more. What happened was the breathing got much better, but the 'infected/sick' feeling is coming back. I will feel sick/infected miserable, then puke up mucus. Then feel better. Then latter, rinse repeat a billion times. I will have 2 day stretches of it being barely noticeable, then I will get hit with a nasty attack (esp. if the weather drops.)

I'm also cleaning my house and avoiding dusty places as I will start to feel better, but going to like a dusty basement will trigger it.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

Hey @prismpower - yuck, sorry. Are you on an antibiotic? It's possible that you do have an simple chest infection, but that can easily be treated. But coughing things UP is actually a good sign - that's your body fighting the illness and getting the yucky stuff out. It's doing its job! Keep coughing it and spitting it out.

On the flu - people that die from flu die from fever-related complications like dehydration and organ failure. And they are almost exclusively the elderly or small children, with compromised or weak immune systems. Rest easy!

If you haven't seen your doctor in a while, you should go get checked out, buf unfortunately you may have to ride out the winter crud.

 

[prismpower]

@Hurt&Hopeful

I did take antibiotics at the end of November. It's possible I need another round though. Or I mean, I actually might need them this time whereas last time I didn't as the bronchitis was caused virally by the flu and not by anything bacterial. Can't wait to see my primary care doctor on the 29th because urgent care docs often don't know what they are doing. Or maybe I could try going to a different facility idk, I know it's not that long away but the 29th feels like 7 months away to me now. =/ Do you think I will be safe waiting another week, I am 35 and in fairly good shape besides the infection/virus/bronchitis. The anxiety it gives me is horrible.

I woke up feeling better than I did yesterday. But 30 mins in, I just felt really sick and threw up a bunch of very clear mucus/watery stuff. I'm not keeping even water down well. Possible I just drank too much too fast though.

I realized that I was putting too much effort in healing this, when I seem to be better when I let go and get enough sleep. (got a good night's rest last night, so that's good) It's definitely hard on me emotionally. When I think I'm getting better and healing and have hope, the infection/virus is like Nope!

 

[triceps]

Hi prismpower. How often have you been vomiting or was this an isolated incident brought on by your anxiety. I've got a nerve-racking day coming up and I vomited due to anxiety this morning also. Few things worse than vomiting, maybe hitting your thumb with a hammer is right up there. You're another day closer to the 29th and you got a good night's sleep. It's slowly getting better.

 

[prismpower]

I've been vomiting on/off since I got the nasty flu on Thanksgiving. Sometimes it's food, most of the time it's just mucus though. Generally speaking, I seem to be holding down meals pretty well (still can't eat a lot though and I've lost like 16 pounds), but I will vomit up a lot of mucus often. 3-4 times a day on average.

It's really both. I will vomit because I've been so sick, but I will also vomit due to nerves/stress. I read a couple days ago that when you are emotionally stressed, your body will heal from illnesses a lot slower. My thoughts have been really negative and self-defeating. But 'trying to make a positive thought happen' puts even more stress on my body. So I am letting go.

 

[VNT89]

Hey Prismpower, i'm hope soon you feel better. Thought i'd chuck my 2 cents in here, hope it makes you feel better, but i'm in exactly the same boat. Coughing up mucus, first of all thick green mucus, and then clear mucus, i'll have better days, and then worse, it's been back and forth , back and forth for almost 3 months now. I've had a chest X ray, and an inhaler. I've also been doing stream breathing treatments, honey and lemon teas, just everything. I'm 29, and never ever experienced anything like this. But people around me , encourage me to let go of the worry, and not to panic, ride it out. I'm seeing a doctor again this week hopefully, but hang in there man, worrying will only make it worse. I've got to the point where i'm trying to ignore it, because i know dam well its making me worse when i panic. i live in the UK, and the weather here has been awful, i work every day, so always out in the cold , which i know is prolonging it, i also try to go gym 4 days a week, (again i know this is probably not helping) and i've read a post earlier from Hurt&hopeful, which actually encouraged me , saying riding out the winter is on the cards, so makes me think its heavily weather dependent. i happend to first experiance symptoms towards trge end of october,just when we started to get bad weather again, so i'm just praying warmer weather gets here sooner.

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

@Hurt&Hopeful

I did take antibiotics at the end of November. It's possible I need another round though. Or I mean, I actually might need them this time whereas last time I didn't as the bronchitis was caused virally by the flu and not by anything bacterial. Can't wait to see my primary care doctor on the 29th because urgent care docs often don't know what they are doing. Or maybe I could try going to a different facility idk, I know it's not that long away but the 29th feels like 7 months away to me now. =/ Do you think I will be safe waiting another week, I am 35 and in fairly good shape besides the infection/virus/bronchitis. The anxiety it gives me is horrible.

I woke up feeling better than I did yesterday. But 30 mins in, I just felt really sick and threw up a bunch of very clear mucus/watery stuff. I'm not keeping even water down well. Possible I just drank too much too fast though.

I realized that I was putting too much effort in healing this, when I seem to be better when I let go and get enough sleep. (got a good night's rest last night, so that's good) It's definitely hard on me emotionally. When I think I'm getting better and healing and have hope, the infection/virus is like Nope!

Just sounds so miserable - so sorry! Anxiety definitely prolongs it , as does lack of sleep. Gotta let your body rest and fight it! Have you tried any immune system boosters? I highly recommend elderberry - it's a natural imunobooster that will help your body fight crud in general. You can find it at any health food store, or possibly at a pharmacy like Walgreens or even Walmart! If you're not running fever, you probably don't have pneumonia, but you do what feels right to you - if you feel better going to clinic to get checked out, do it! Hope you feel better soon...

 

[prismpower]

@VNT89

No, your post helped a lot! I loved it. Just knowing somebody is in a similar boat I am helps a lot. I still try to get some exercise in if I can do it, as it's healthy for the lungs. I will do about half as much as I normally can.

I have gotten a bit better just letting go of it and not thinking about it so much. I only coughed up mucus once yesterday. (I don't like getting too excited about being better though, cause I don't want my hopes to come crashing down if I get sick again LOL) I coughed up a bit this morning, but less than I did yesterday. My bronchial tubes and chest still feels irritated, but I think I am healing. I was able to do small tasks like make myself a healthy kale smoothie, wash the dishes and do some minor chores etc. I have been much better at stopping out negative thought patterns. If I notice myself being too doom and gloom, I'm a bit better at neutralizing it. As that only exacerbates my symptoms and makes me feel worse.

Rest/peaceful thoughts + lots of water/knowing my limitations when I do do something (aka back to rest) is what is helping it the most. All those meds I was taking weren't really helping. It's like that song by Pink 'You're just like a pill, instead of making me better - you keep making me ill!'

The thing is, I am so ultra careful now- this season-long illness has practically given me OCD. I am so super careful about what I touch, if I rub my eyes/mouth. I think its good to be this way though, maybe not excessive - but I think before I was kind of too careless. I was naive, and not even thinking about the cold/flu season coming up. Now yes, I can't WAIT for spring omg. The doctor I had when I got my chest x-ray at the end of December said I might not get better until May. MAY!?! Well yes, the warm season in my area runs from May until September.

 

[prismpower]

@Hurt&Hopeful

Thanks for the tip I'll try to check it out. I tried taking Goldenseal for it... but it didn't seem to do much besides make me go #2 easier lol. I only took like 3 pills for it over the course of about two weeks though. I get nervous about taking anything in pill format for some reason.

Before this happened, I definitely wasn't getting enough fruits/veggies and healthy foods in my diet. Boy, did this make me change that.

 

[Steven]

Okay so to be honest I didn’t read every post and reply on this thread because there were so many lol but I skimmed and I think I’ve got some advice. So last year one of my best friends went to China for a couple week trip and came home with a super nasty cough. It went on for like a month or month and a half and just never went away. When he would start coughing it would last like a few minutes it was really bad. He didn’t have health insurance but finally broke down and went to one of those walk in pharmacy clinics and found out it was bronchitis. Put him on a couple meds and it still lasted like another month or maybe a little longer. FINALLY went away and he eventually was 100% better. So I guess my advice is to just be patient. It is normal to last this long and if you take the meds your doctor tells you to take it will eventually go away.

 

[prismpower]

@Steven

Thank you for the reply and the encouragement it helps so much. It is reassuring to know that it has lasted this long for other people.

Well I'm doing better, mostly. However I'm still hacking up mucus here and there and sometimes I will have trouble breathing. My chest can feel too uncomfortably cold and also has this weird smoke-y sensation at times. But it comes and goes. Nights/Mornings are always rougher than the middle of the day. My throat can get a little sore but over-all the feeling went from infected to irritated.

I ate fast food today which was a very stupid thing and I ended up throwing all of it up. No, my body is still too weak and in recovery mode to handle that! But the other meals I kept down. I need to eat very healthy and when I do that plus manage my anxiety it is much better.

This week is going to be rough, and any words of kindness helps. The polar vortex is hitting this area hard and we're gonna get a couple days with the highs in the negatives. The air outside is dry sadistic death and I often need to inhale steam and drink warm beverages to counter act it. Next Sunday the high is going to go back up in the low 40s with rain. I can't wait. I should also feel better in mid March where we will get a more consistent streak of days with the highs in the 40s. Anything 30 F-ish and above I do pretty fine in, usually- if the air is also not too dry. But lower than that, forget about it.

Riding out the brutality of this horrible winter and dreaming of spring!

 

[Hurt&Hopeful]

@Steven

Thank you for the reply and the encouragement it helps so much. It is reassuring to know that it has lasted this long for other people.

Well I'm doing better, mostly. However I'm still hacking up mucus here and there and sometimes I will have trouble breathing. My chest can feel too uncomfortably cold and also has this weird smoke-y sensation at times. But it comes and goes. Nights/Mornings are always rougher than the middle of the day. My throat can get a little sore but over-all the feeling went from infected to irritated.

I ate fast food today which was a very stupid thing and I ended up throwing all of it up. No, my body is still too weak and in recovery mode to handle that! But the other meals I kept down. I need to eat very healthy and when I do that plus manage my anxiety it is much better.

This week is going to be rough, and any words of kindness helps. The polar vortex is hitting this area hard and we're gonna get a couple days with the highs in the negatives. The air outside is dry sadistic death and I often need to inhale steam and drink warm beverages to counter act it. Next Sunday the high is going to go back up in the low 40s with rain. I can't wait. I should also feel better in mid March where we will get a more consistent streak of days with the highs in the 40s. Anything 30 F-ish and above I do pretty fine in, usually- if the air is also not too dry. But lower than that, forget about it.

Riding out the brutality of this horrible winter and dreaming of spring!

Oh, I'm WITH you. Winter is just the worst. lol And we don't even really have severe winter where I live - today it's 24 F, and that's about as cold as it gets. It was 50 a couple of days ago....But I still find myself just dreaming of spring every year.

 

[prismpower]

K just a small update...

This week has been rough. The polar vortex hit us hard, with real feel temps hitting -35 F! Almost constant chest pressure/discomfort in that weather. FINALLY the extreme cold will end tomorrow at 2-3 pm and temps will go back in the 30s and 40s. I've been sleeping every night with a winter coat and hat and about six covers lol fun times. (we have heating of course but the governor told everybody to keep their heat at 65 or lower for a couple days, but even when the indoor heat was up to 70 the cold was so fierce it still got through and you needed to bundle up.)

But I saw the doctor on Tuesday and he was very nice. He prescribed me singulair and nexium. Since I've taken the pills, I've only puked up mucus once in a four day period. I've been sleeping better, and breathing better, although the breathing and chest discomfort is still there at times. We are going to give the pills a month to see how they work. The doctor said my lungs were clear but I have really bad inflammation and the singulair should help with that. I've heard of bad side effects from it though, but so far - it's better than not going without it I think. I've noticed the pills will make my chest feel a little weird, but it's still a better sensation than with the bronchitis.

 

[triceps]

K just a small update...

This week has been rough. The polar vortex hit us hard, with real feel temps hitting -35 F! Almost constant chest pressure/discomfort in that weather. FINALLY the extreme cold will end tomorrow at 2-3 pm and temps will go back in the 30s and 40s. I've been sleeping every night with a winter coat and hat and about six covers lol fun times. (we have heating of course but the governor told everybody to keep their heat at 65 or lower for a couple days, but even when the indoor heat was up to 70 the cold was so fierce it still got through and you needed to bundle up.)

But I saw the doctor on Tuesday and he was very nice. He prescribed me singulair and nexium. Since I've taken the pills, I've only puked up mucus once in a four day period. I've been sleeping better, and breathing better, although the breathing and chest discomfort is still there at times. We are going to give the pills a month to see how they work. The doctor said my lungs were clear but I have really bad inflammation and the singulair should help with that. I've heard of bad side effects from it though, but so far - it's better than not going without it I think. I've noticed the pills will make my chest feel a little weird, but it's still a better sensation than with the bronchitis.

Hi prismpower. Sounds like things are finally heading in the right direction for you. It's been a long time coming. Plus you're past the bitter cold weather. Am very happy for you that your health is getting better.