Bronchitis - Any Advice?

K

katethekid

Guest
I had to go to the ER in chattanooga last night because I couldn't breathe through all my coughing. My O2 was only slightly low. The doc's said I had bronchitis and gave me a good dose of IV zithromax and several breathing treatments before they let me go home. They were a little reluctant as I am still trying to get an appt at the CF center in Atlanta, they wanted me to see a CF dr asap. I'm fairly new to the lung aspect of CF so I was wondering if the intense pain in my chest is normal for this? I was at the hosp all day yesterday and the pain was only when I coughed, but now it hurts all the time, especially when I breathe. I've had pain in the front of my chest before, but this seems to be more in my back on each side where my lungs are. Is there anything you do to help alleviate some of the pain? They tried to give me some pain meds, but I refused as I just got off my pain medicine for my pancreas and really don't want to go down that road again if I don't absolutely have to. My cough is very wet which isn't normal for me when I have bronchitis, only when I have pneumonia, does it just come with the CF territory? My chest x-ray was "pretty clear" as the dr said, but it had a little fluid. The respiratory therapist wanted me to get a vest, but I've never used one and don't know if I can get it without a prescription or how much it would cost as I don't have insurance. She also said the advair I was using as needed is a maintenance med and should be used all the time... is that true? I'm trying to find a dr here I can see as well as a CF dr, but until then I could use some advice from the more experienced CFers here. Sorry for such a long post.
 
K

katethekid

Guest
I had to go to the ER in chattanooga last night because I couldn't breathe through all my coughing. My O2 was only slightly low. The doc's said I had bronchitis and gave me a good dose of IV zithromax and several breathing treatments before they let me go home. They were a little reluctant as I am still trying to get an appt at the CF center in Atlanta, they wanted me to see a CF dr asap. I'm fairly new to the lung aspect of CF so I was wondering if the intense pain in my chest is normal for this? I was at the hosp all day yesterday and the pain was only when I coughed, but now it hurts all the time, especially when I breathe. I've had pain in the front of my chest before, but this seems to be more in my back on each side where my lungs are. Is there anything you do to help alleviate some of the pain? They tried to give me some pain meds, but I refused as I just got off my pain medicine for my pancreas and really don't want to go down that road again if I don't absolutely have to. My cough is very wet which isn't normal for me when I have bronchitis, only when I have pneumonia, does it just come with the CF territory? My chest x-ray was "pretty clear" as the dr said, but it had a little fluid. The respiratory therapist wanted me to get a vest, but I've never used one and don't know if I can get it without a prescription or how much it would cost as I don't have insurance. She also said the advair I was using as needed is a maintenance med and should be used all the time... is that true? I'm trying to find a dr here I can see as well as a CF dr, but until then I could use some advice from the more experienced CFers here. Sorry for such a long post.
 
H

Havoc

New member
The short answer: Yes, pain is common with lung exacerbations and there's really nothing to do but narcotic pain meds or NSAIDS. They are also right about advair, it is a maintenance med and shouldn't be used as a rescue inhaler, or on an as needed basis.

I hope that helps.
 
H

Havoc

New member
The short answer: Yes, pain is common with lung exacerbations and there's really nothing to do but narcotic pain meds or NSAIDS. They are also right about advair, it is a maintenance med and shouldn't be used as a rescue inhaler, or on an as needed basis.

I hope that helps.
 
J

JustDucky

New member
Bronchitis can hurt, it is a deep seated ache that intensifies with coughing for me. Keep an eye on it, if you feel like you are getting worse, see someone as soon as possible. For instance, if you are continually spiking fevers, feel short of breath, feel worse in general, don't hesitate to go back to the ER for treatment. The vest would be ideal, actually, any CPT even if it is manual is better than nothing to help loosen things up.I know you don't have insurance, the vest would probably not be an option just yet...hopefully you can get some sort of state help?

As Jonathan stated, Advair is to be taken daily, it is a maintenance medication that reduces inflammation in the airways as well as dilate them to keep them as open as possible. It should not be taken only if there are problems, it doesn't work that way. The steroid and bronchodilator in it are long acting. Medications like ventolin or albuterol are taken when you have acute symptoms because they are fast acting.

I hope you feel better soon, you know your body....if you feel worse, see someone as soon as possible. Personally, I have gone from a simple cold to all out pneumonia quickly because of my CF. We are just more prone to these things.

Jenn 40 w/CF
 
J

JustDucky

New member
Bronchitis can hurt, it is a deep seated ache that intensifies with coughing for me. Keep an eye on it, if you feel like you are getting worse, see someone as soon as possible. For instance, if you are continually spiking fevers, feel short of breath, feel worse in general, don't hesitate to go back to the ER for treatment. The vest would be ideal, actually, any CPT even if it is manual is better than nothing to help loosen things up.I know you don't have insurance, the vest would probably not be an option just yet...hopefully you can get some sort of state help?

As Jonathan stated, Advair is to be taken daily, it is a maintenance medication that reduces inflammation in the airways as well as dilate them to keep them as open as possible. It should not be taken only if there are problems, it doesn't work that way. The steroid and bronchodilator in it are long acting. Medications like ventolin or albuterol are taken when you have acute symptoms because they are fast acting.

I hope you feel better soon, you know your body....if you feel worse, see someone as soon as possible. Personally, I have gone from a simple cold to all out pneumonia quickly because of my CF. We are just more prone to these things.

Jenn 40 w/CF
 
K

katethekid

Guest
Thanks Jenn and Jonathan. It does hurt most when I'm coughing. I'll start using the advair everyday rather than as needed since it will work better that way. I did try to get medicaid, but was denied. The CF center said they could get me financial help to see a dr there <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Starting to think this site should be paying you all since you're so much help. This all started as a cold, then went to a sinus infection and two rounds of oral antibiotics didn't do it for me, but the IV zithro boost and zithro/keflex combo orally should be enough to kick it in the butt. I have an immune deficiency on top of my CF, so pneumonia can come on quick, hopefully it doesn't get to that point. I am doing manual CPT, but still trying to teach my fiance to do it so my Mom doesn't have to come over all the time lol. Us CFers can become really dependent on our parents <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Thanks again for the help, as well as the emotional support of knowing I'm not alone.
 
K

katethekid

Guest
Thanks Jenn and Jonathan. It does hurt most when I'm coughing. I'll start using the advair everyday rather than as needed since it will work better that way. I did try to get medicaid, but was denied. The CF center said they could get me financial help to see a dr there <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Starting to think this site should be paying you all since you're so much help. This all started as a cold, then went to a sinus infection and two rounds of oral antibiotics didn't do it for me, but the IV zithro boost and zithro/keflex combo orally should be enough to kick it in the butt. I have an immune deficiency on top of my CF, so pneumonia can come on quick, hopefully it doesn't get to that point. I am doing manual CPT, but still trying to teach my fiance to do it so my Mom doesn't have to come over all the time lol. Us CFers can become really dependent on our parents <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Thanks again for the help, as well as the emotional support of knowing I'm not alone.
 
H

Havoc

New member
As an aside, don't forget to rinse you mouth or brush your teeth after the Advair. Inhaled steroids can cause oral thrush if you don't rinse.
 
H

Havoc

New member
As an aside, don't forget to rinse you mouth or brush your teeth after the Advair. Inhaled steroids can cause oral thrush if you don't rinse.
 
K

katethekid

Guest
Thanks again Jonathan, I didn't know that. Once again, I vote you should be paid lol.
 
K

katethekid

Guest
Thanks again Jonathan, I didn't know that. Once again, I vote you should be paid lol.
 
K

katethekid

Guest
I'm now two days into the oral zithro and now my couch doesn't seem to be getting any of the mucus out of my chest. I can feel it rattling with every breath. I am also wheezing now, which I've never done in my life (I usually just cough). I tried my breathing treatments and CPT, but nothing seems to be jogging it loose. The pain is in my chest all the time now, not just when I breathe or cough, though it does get worse. Is there anything else I can do at home or do I need to go back to the hospital? I slept for a whole 3 hours last night and the night before, so I'm kinda at my wits end here. Any advice is appreciated, I just hate to go back to the hosp if it isn't necessary.
 
K

katethekid

Guest
I'm now two days into the oral zithro and now my couch doesn't seem to be getting any of the mucus out of my chest. I can feel it rattling with every breath. I am also wheezing now, which I've never done in my life (I usually just cough). I tried my breathing treatments and CPT, but nothing seems to be jogging it loose. The pain is in my chest all the time now, not just when I breathe or cough, though it does get worse. Is there anything else I can do at home or do I need to go back to the hospital? I slept for a whole 3 hours last night and the night before, so I'm kinda at my wits end here. Any advice is appreciated, I just hate to go back to the hosp if it isn't necessary.
 
I

Incomudrox

New member
I'd say the best advise in the case if go to the hospital and let them determine if it isn't necessary. You don't want to end up with a pneumothorax or something worse.
 
I

Incomudrox

New member
I'd say the best advise in the case if go to the hospital and let them determine if it isn't necessary. You don't want to end up with a pneumothorax or something worse.
 
K

katethekid

Guest
I did end up going back on Monday and after waiting for 7 hours in the ER I finally saw a dr. Granted this was only after my bp was 180/120 and my bp is usually perfect or slightly low and my hr was 160. At this point in triage they freaked and brought me back immediately. I was coughing and wheezing, which I have never wheezed in my life. Albuterol and pulomozine (?) didn't do the trick in the neb, so they gave me some lidocaine in the neb and that did the trick to stop the cough. I also got a script for tessalon pearls, which don't do much for me, but they're better than nothing. Thanks for the advice to go back, not sure what would have happened if I had gotten that bad at home. They didn't have to admit me, but at least got it under control for now.
 
K

katethekid

Guest
I did end up going back on Monday and after waiting for 7 hours in the ER I finally saw a dr. Granted this was only after my bp was 180/120 and my bp is usually perfect or slightly low and my hr was 160. At this point in triage they freaked and brought me back immediately. I was coughing and wheezing, which I have never wheezed in my life. Albuterol and pulomozine (?) didn't do the trick in the neb, so they gave me some lidocaine in the neb and that did the trick to stop the cough. I also got a script for tessalon pearls, which don't do much for me, but they're better than nothing. Thanks for the advice to go back, not sure what would have happened if I had gotten that bad at home. They didn't have to admit me, but at least got it under control for now.
 
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