What's the deal here?

[ladybug]

Hey all,

So since my head cold moved to my chest and my cough has gone throuh weird stages, I was put on prednisone (for a week) and levaquin (as you probably already know from earlier posts). The hope is that these can kick out the inflammation or infection and I can avoid I.V. time.

Here's the thing, and I've never experienced this before...

The last couple of days (I just started meds yesterday), I've felt weird in my throat/upper chest. I have wheezing. I have that grumbly sound in my chest/throat, but when I cough like nothing comes out without some serious huffs.... And, even with the huffs I'm not getting much out. Its weird. Its like the gunk is literally sitting in my throat. It doesn't feel like its coming from super low in my lungs but rather just on the surface and I can't "reach" it. It wakes me in the morning and keeps me from resting cause it just feels "full" again within a few moments of coughing.

Its very odd. I'm not sure if this is more of a viral cough (no idea what those feel like) or an asthma issue. Any thoughts?

Also, with prednisone, does this sometimes happen? Like its opening the airways and you feel like you have to cough but not much comes out?

I'm so confused. I actually feel really really good! I got a TON of stuff done today around my house and I have crazy energy. I just don't feel that "I.V." sick or true infection sick. Its more of an issue with my upper airways I think???

Any thoughts or experiences would be great.

I'm getting my reflux under control, so I'm pretty sure its not that.

Just curious whether others have had this happen and what they do about it?

Thanks!

 

[ladybug]

Hey all,

So since my head cold moved to my chest and my cough has gone throuh weird stages, I was put on prednisone (for a week) and levaquin (as you probably already know from earlier posts). The hope is that these can kick out the inflammation or infection and I can avoid I.V. time.

Here's the thing, and I've never experienced this before...

The last couple of days (I just started meds yesterday), I've felt weird in my throat/upper chest. I have wheezing. I have that grumbly sound in my chest/throat, but when I cough like nothing comes out without some serious huffs.... And, even with the huffs I'm not getting much out. Its weird. Its like the gunk is literally sitting in my throat. It doesn't feel like its coming from super low in my lungs but rather just on the surface and I can't "reach" it. It wakes me in the morning and keeps me from resting cause it just feels "full" again within a few moments of coughing.

Its very odd. I'm not sure if this is more of a viral cough (no idea what those feel like) or an asthma issue. Any thoughts?

Also, with prednisone, does this sometimes happen? Like its opening the airways and you feel like you have to cough but not much comes out?

I'm so confused. I actually feel really really good! I got a TON of stuff done today around my house and I have crazy energy. I just don't feel that "I.V." sick or true infection sick. Its more of an issue with my upper airways I think???

Any thoughts or experiences would be great.

I'm getting my reflux under control, so I'm pretty sure its not that.

Just curious whether others have had this happen and what they do about it?

Thanks!

 

[ladybug]

Hey all,

So since my head cold moved to my chest and my cough has gone throuh weird stages, I was put on prednisone (for a week) and levaquin (as you probably already know from earlier posts). The hope is that these can kick out the inflammation or infection and I can avoid I.V. time.

Here's the thing, and I've never experienced this before...

The last couple of days (I just started meds yesterday), I've felt weird in my throat/upper chest. I have wheezing. I have that grumbly sound in my chest/throat, but when I cough like nothing comes out without some serious huffs.... And, even with the huffs I'm not getting much out. Its weird. Its like the gunk is literally sitting in my throat. It doesn't feel like its coming from super low in my lungs but rather just on the surface and I can't "reach" it. It wakes me in the morning and keeps me from resting cause it just feels "full" again within a few moments of coughing.

Its very odd. I'm not sure if this is more of a viral cough (no idea what those feel like) or an asthma issue. Any thoughts?

Also, with prednisone, does this sometimes happen? Like its opening the airways and you feel like you have to cough but not much comes out?

I'm so confused. I actually feel really really good! I got a TON of stuff done today around my house and I have crazy energy. I just don't feel that "I.V." sick or true infection sick. Its more of an issue with my upper airways I think???

Any thoughts or experiences would be great.

I'm getting my reflux under control, so I'm pretty sure its not that.

Just curious whether others have had this happen and what they do about it?

Thanks!

 

[ladybug]

Hey all,

So since my head cold moved to my chest and my cough has gone throuh weird stages, I was put on prednisone (for a week) and levaquin (as you probably already know from earlier posts). The hope is that these can kick out the inflammation or infection and I can avoid I.V. time.

Here's the thing, and I've never experienced this before...

The last couple of days (I just started meds yesterday), I've felt weird in my throat/upper chest. I have wheezing. I have that grumbly sound in my chest/throat, but when I cough like nothing comes out without some serious huffs.... And, even with the huffs I'm not getting much out. Its weird. Its like the gunk is literally sitting in my throat. It doesn't feel like its coming from super low in my lungs but rather just on the surface and I can't "reach" it. It wakes me in the morning and keeps me from resting cause it just feels "full" again within a few moments of coughing.

Its very odd. I'm not sure if this is more of a viral cough (no idea what those feel like) or an asthma issue. Any thoughts?

Also, with prednisone, does this sometimes happen? Like its opening the airways and you feel like you have to cough but not much comes out?

I'm so confused. I actually feel really really good! I got a TON of stuff done today around my house and I have crazy energy. I just don't feel that "I.V." sick or true infection sick. Its more of an issue with my upper airways I think???

Any thoughts or experiences would be great.

I'm getting my reflux under control, so I'm pretty sure its not that.

Just curious whether others have had this happen and what they do about it?

Thanks!

 

[ladybug]

Hey all,
<br />
<br />So since my head cold moved to my chest and my cough has gone throuh weird stages, I was put on prednisone (for a week) and levaquin (as you probably already know from earlier posts). The hope is that these can kick out the inflammation or infection and I can avoid I.V. time.
<br />
<br />Here's the thing, and I've never experienced this before...
<br />
<br />The last couple of days (I just started meds yesterday), I've felt weird in my throat/upper chest. I have wheezing. I have that grumbly sound in my chest/throat, but when I cough like nothing comes out without some serious huffs.... And, even with the huffs I'm not getting much out. Its weird. Its like the gunk is literally sitting in my throat. It doesn't feel like its coming from super low in my lungs but rather just on the surface and I can't "reach" it. It wakes me in the morning and keeps me from resting cause it just feels "full" again within a few moments of coughing.
<br />
<br />Its very odd. I'm not sure if this is more of a viral cough (no idea what those feel like) or an asthma issue. Any thoughts?
<br />
<br />Also, with prednisone, does this sometimes happen? Like its opening the airways and you feel like you have to cough but not much comes out?
<br />
<br />I'm so confused. I actually feel really really good! I got a TON of stuff done today around my house and I have crazy energy. I just don't feel that "I.V." sick or true infection sick. Its more of an issue with my upper airways I think???
<br />
<br />Any thoughts or experiences would be great.
<br />
<br />I'm getting my reflux under control, so I'm pretty sure its not that.
<br />
<br />Just curious whether others have had this happen and what they do about it?
<br />
<br />Thanks!

 

[Nightwriter]

Hi Sonia,

I can relate because I'm going through a bit of an exacerbation myself. I did a couple of dumb things that I knew would irritate my lungs, pushing my own boundaries, and was exposed to smoke. I coughed up blood for about a week, and my doctor felt it was inflamation rather than infection. I thought I might need Tobi (which I haven't been on in 2 years) but she said that she didn't think that would help. Like you I also felt I was having a hard time getting the mucus out.

She changed all my meds to things less irritating but at the same time would help me cough up stuff. The bleeding stopped, but then I had tons of mucus which I had been diligent in trying to get out --which was also diffiicult because I couldn't use the Flutter (could restart the bleeding). And I was afraid to cough hard. I took steamy showers, did postural drainage, CPT and by the time I was able to go back to the Flutter, all the inflamation resulted in an asthma flareup with really swollen airways and even more mucus.

I am telling you all this because you are asking about whether you have asthma and inflamation. You had a cold that went into your chest, so you know how you got bronchitis. You said you are wheezing -- which sounds like asthma to me. Doctors give prednisone (cortisone) to reduce inflamation and open swollen airways. Because it is oral cortisone and taken over a few days, it may take a little time. But as the swelling reduces, the mucus can finally get out.

Your problem sounds a bit like mine. In my case, I have inflamation and asthma for now, rather than infection. It can certainly turn into infection. My doctor gave me a cortisone shot today and already the copious amount of mucus has stopped.

Some things my doctor told me to do for the congestion: She says the best thing for a cough is fresh ginger tea. She thinks it's more effective than cough medicine. I didn't really want to take ginger because it is a blood thinner, so she suggested Japanese Green tea.

You said that you don't really feel sick. That's great. Maybe you don't have infection either. And that feeling of mucus in your throat... I've gotten that when my sinuses have slowly drained down my throat and it feels like the mucus is sitting on my vocal cords. It happens especially when you are sleeping. I don't think we swallow as much so it just sits there. I have turned myself upside down (lying over the arm of the sofa) to get it to go the other way and then cough it out. The hot tea would probably help this too. Do you do Nasal Rinses?

Lets hope we both don't get infections!

 

[Nightwriter]

Hi Sonia,

I can relate because I'm going through a bit of an exacerbation myself. I did a couple of dumb things that I knew would irritate my lungs, pushing my own boundaries, and was exposed to smoke. I coughed up blood for about a week, and my doctor felt it was inflamation rather than infection. I thought I might need Tobi (which I haven't been on in 2 years) but she said that she didn't think that would help. Like you I also felt I was having a hard time getting the mucus out.

She changed all my meds to things less irritating but at the same time would help me cough up stuff. The bleeding stopped, but then I had tons of mucus which I had been diligent in trying to get out --which was also diffiicult because I couldn't use the Flutter (could restart the bleeding). And I was afraid to cough hard. I took steamy showers, did postural drainage, CPT and by the time I was able to go back to the Flutter, all the inflamation resulted in an asthma flareup with really swollen airways and even more mucus.

I am telling you all this because you are asking about whether you have asthma and inflamation. You had a cold that went into your chest, so you know how you got bronchitis. You said you are wheezing -- which sounds like asthma to me. Doctors give prednisone (cortisone) to reduce inflamation and open swollen airways. Because it is oral cortisone and taken over a few days, it may take a little time. But as the swelling reduces, the mucus can finally get out.

Your problem sounds a bit like mine. In my case, I have inflamation and asthma for now, rather than infection. It can certainly turn into infection. My doctor gave me a cortisone shot today and already the copious amount of mucus has stopped.

Some things my doctor told me to do for the congestion: She says the best thing for a cough is fresh ginger tea. She thinks it's more effective than cough medicine. I didn't really want to take ginger because it is a blood thinner, so she suggested Japanese Green tea.

You said that you don't really feel sick. That's great. Maybe you don't have infection either. And that feeling of mucus in your throat... I've gotten that when my sinuses have slowly drained down my throat and it feels like the mucus is sitting on my vocal cords. It happens especially when you are sleeping. I don't think we swallow as much so it just sits there. I have turned myself upside down (lying over the arm of the sofa) to get it to go the other way and then cough it out. The hot tea would probably help this too. Do you do Nasal Rinses?

Lets hope we both don't get infections!

 

[Nightwriter]

Hi Sonia,

I can relate because I'm going through a bit of an exacerbation myself. I did a couple of dumb things that I knew would irritate my lungs, pushing my own boundaries, and was exposed to smoke. I coughed up blood for about a week, and my doctor felt it was inflamation rather than infection. I thought I might need Tobi (which I haven't been on in 2 years) but she said that she didn't think that would help. Like you I also felt I was having a hard time getting the mucus out.

She changed all my meds to things less irritating but at the same time would help me cough up stuff. The bleeding stopped, but then I had tons of mucus which I had been diligent in trying to get out --which was also diffiicult because I couldn't use the Flutter (could restart the bleeding). And I was afraid to cough hard. I took steamy showers, did postural drainage, CPT and by the time I was able to go back to the Flutter, all the inflamation resulted in an asthma flareup with really swollen airways and even more mucus.

I am telling you all this because you are asking about whether you have asthma and inflamation. You had a cold that went into your chest, so you know how you got bronchitis. You said you are wheezing -- which sounds like asthma to me. Doctors give prednisone (cortisone) to reduce inflamation and open swollen airways. Because it is oral cortisone and taken over a few days, it may take a little time. But as the swelling reduces, the mucus can finally get out.

Your problem sounds a bit like mine. In my case, I have inflamation and asthma for now, rather than infection. It can certainly turn into infection. My doctor gave me a cortisone shot today and already the copious amount of mucus has stopped.

Some things my doctor told me to do for the congestion: She says the best thing for a cough is fresh ginger tea. She thinks it's more effective than cough medicine. I didn't really want to take ginger because it is a blood thinner, so she suggested Japanese Green tea.

You said that you don't really feel sick. That's great. Maybe you don't have infection either. And that feeling of mucus in your throat... I've gotten that when my sinuses have slowly drained down my throat and it feels like the mucus is sitting on my vocal cords. It happens especially when you are sleeping. I don't think we swallow as much so it just sits there. I have turned myself upside down (lying over the arm of the sofa) to get it to go the other way and then cough it out. The hot tea would probably help this too. Do you do Nasal Rinses?

Lets hope we both don't get infections!

 

[Nightwriter]

Hi Sonia,

I can relate because I'm going through a bit of an exacerbation myself. I did a couple of dumb things that I knew would irritate my lungs, pushing my own boundaries, and was exposed to smoke. I coughed up blood for about a week, and my doctor felt it was inflamation rather than infection. I thought I might need Tobi (which I haven't been on in 2 years) but she said that she didn't think that would help. Like you I also felt I was having a hard time getting the mucus out.

She changed all my meds to things less irritating but at the same time would help me cough up stuff. The bleeding stopped, but then I had tons of mucus which I had been diligent in trying to get out --which was also diffiicult because I couldn't use the Flutter (could restart the bleeding). And I was afraid to cough hard. I took steamy showers, did postural drainage, CPT and by the time I was able to go back to the Flutter, all the inflamation resulted in an asthma flareup with really swollen airways and even more mucus.

I am telling you all this because you are asking about whether you have asthma and inflamation. You had a cold that went into your chest, so you know how you got bronchitis. You said you are wheezing -- which sounds like asthma to me. Doctors give prednisone (cortisone) to reduce inflamation and open swollen airways. Because it is oral cortisone and taken over a few days, it may take a little time. But as the swelling reduces, the mucus can finally get out.

Your problem sounds a bit like mine. In my case, I have inflamation and asthma for now, rather than infection. It can certainly turn into infection. My doctor gave me a cortisone shot today and already the copious amount of mucus has stopped.

Some things my doctor told me to do for the congestion: She says the best thing for a cough is fresh ginger tea. She thinks it's more effective than cough medicine. I didn't really want to take ginger because it is a blood thinner, so she suggested Japanese Green tea.

You said that you don't really feel sick. That's great. Maybe you don't have infection either. And that feeling of mucus in your throat... I've gotten that when my sinuses have slowly drained down my throat and it feels like the mucus is sitting on my vocal cords. It happens especially when you are sleeping. I don't think we swallow as much so it just sits there. I have turned myself upside down (lying over the arm of the sofa) to get it to go the other way and then cough it out. The hot tea would probably help this too. Do you do Nasal Rinses?

Lets hope we both don't get infections!

 

[Nightwriter]

Hi Sonia,
<br />
<br />I can relate because I'm going through a bit of an exacerbation myself. I did a couple of dumb things that I knew would irritate my lungs, pushing my own boundaries, and was exposed to smoke. I coughed up blood for about a week, and my doctor felt it was inflamation rather than infection. I thought I might need Tobi (which I haven't been on in 2 years) but she said that she didn't think that would help. Like you I also felt I was having a hard time getting the mucus out.
<br />
<br />She changed all my meds to things less irritating but at the same time would help me cough up stuff. The bleeding stopped, but then I had tons of mucus which I had been diligent in trying to get out --which was also diffiicult because I couldn't use the Flutter (could restart the bleeding). And I was afraid to cough hard. I took steamy showers, did postural drainage, CPT and by the time I was able to go back to the Flutter, all the inflamation resulted in an asthma flareup with really swollen airways and even more mucus.
<br />
<br />I am telling you all this because you are asking about whether you have asthma and inflamation. You had a cold that went into your chest, so you know how you got bronchitis. You said you are wheezing -- which sounds like asthma to me. Doctors give prednisone (cortisone) to reduce inflamation and open swollen airways. Because it is oral cortisone and taken over a few days, it may take a little time. But as the swelling reduces, the mucus can finally get out.
<br />
<br />Your problem sounds a bit like mine. In my case, I have inflamation and asthma for now, rather than infection. It can certainly turn into infection. My doctor gave me a cortisone shot today and already the copious amount of mucus has stopped.
<br />
<br />Some things my doctor told me to do for the congestion: She says the best thing for a cough is fresh ginger tea. She thinks it's more effective than cough medicine. I didn't really want to take ginger because it is a blood thinner, so she suggested Japanese Green tea.
<br />
<br />You said that you don't really feel sick. That's great. Maybe you don't have infection either. And that feeling of mucus in your throat... I've gotten that when my sinuses have slowly drained down my throat and it feels like the mucus is sitting on my vocal cords. It happens especially when you are sleeping. I don't think we swallow as much so it just sits there. I have turned myself upside down (lying over the arm of the sofa) to get it to go the other way and then cough it out. The hot tea would probably help this too. Do you do Nasal Rinses?
<br />
<br />Lets hope we both don't get infections!
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />

 

[ladybug]

Hey, Nightwriter!

Great insight! Thanks.... I hope that you're also experiencing inflammation and not infection. Are you feeling well otherwise?

YES!!! I totally get you about the putting your head down and THEN being able to cough it out!!! Its crazy. I was actually going to add that to my post but you beat me to it. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

They started me on nasal washes yesterday as well, but those have actually made my nose feel worse. I feel MORE plugged up now that I've been doing them. Is this normal?

So, you're coughing up tons of mucus or having a hard time but feel its there? I'm not coughing up tons. I huff and puff and dance around and nothing happens. Other than my upper chest feeling gunky and kinda that "sitting in my throat" feeling I actually am coughing LESS and less dark green crap. Very odd.

This whole disease process is just so hard to fathom sometimes. Each little illness/virus/inflamation feels just different enough to make things difficult. Each is a little quirky or includes one or two things that "don't quite feel like infection". Its frustrating.

I've actually been put on I.V. meds in the past when I probably should not have. It was likely at those times it was inflammation and asthma cause I only spike my FEV1 for a little while and am immediately back to baseline. And, those times, I don't usually "feel" sick when they put me on I.V.s. So, I try to err on the side of caution after all the attempts at I.V.s that seem to do little more than dry up my cough and reduce sputum for a week or less.

Anyway... good luck to you as you fight your inflammation/bug/whatever. Please keep me posted! <img src="i/expressions/coughing.gif" border="0">

 

[ladybug]

Hey, Nightwriter!

Great insight! Thanks.... I hope that you're also experiencing inflammation and not infection. Are you feeling well otherwise?

YES!!! I totally get you about the putting your head down and THEN being able to cough it out!!! Its crazy. I was actually going to add that to my post but you beat me to it. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

They started me on nasal washes yesterday as well, but those have actually made my nose feel worse. I feel MORE plugged up now that I've been doing them. Is this normal?

So, you're coughing up tons of mucus or having a hard time but feel its there? I'm not coughing up tons. I huff and puff and dance around and nothing happens. Other than my upper chest feeling gunky and kinda that "sitting in my throat" feeling I actually am coughing LESS and less dark green crap. Very odd.

This whole disease process is just so hard to fathom sometimes. Each little illness/virus/inflamation feels just different enough to make things difficult. Each is a little quirky or includes one or two things that "don't quite feel like infection". Its frustrating.

I've actually been put on I.V. meds in the past when I probably should not have. It was likely at those times it was inflammation and asthma cause I only spike my FEV1 for a little while and am immediately back to baseline. And, those times, I don't usually "feel" sick when they put me on I.V.s. So, I try to err on the side of caution after all the attempts at I.V.s that seem to do little more than dry up my cough and reduce sputum for a week or less.

Anyway... good luck to you as you fight your inflammation/bug/whatever. Please keep me posted! <img src="i/expressions/coughing.gif" border="0">

 

[ladybug]

Hey, Nightwriter!

Great insight! Thanks.... I hope that you're also experiencing inflammation and not infection. Are you feeling well otherwise?

YES!!! I totally get you about the putting your head down and THEN being able to cough it out!!! Its crazy. I was actually going to add that to my post but you beat me to it. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

They started me on nasal washes yesterday as well, but those have actually made my nose feel worse. I feel MORE plugged up now that I've been doing them. Is this normal?

So, you're coughing up tons of mucus or having a hard time but feel its there? I'm not coughing up tons. I huff and puff and dance around and nothing happens. Other than my upper chest feeling gunky and kinda that "sitting in my throat" feeling I actually am coughing LESS and less dark green crap. Very odd.

This whole disease process is just so hard to fathom sometimes. Each little illness/virus/inflamation feels just different enough to make things difficult. Each is a little quirky or includes one or two things that "don't quite feel like infection". Its frustrating.

I've actually been put on I.V. meds in the past when I probably should not have. It was likely at those times it was inflammation and asthma cause I only spike my FEV1 for a little while and am immediately back to baseline. And, those times, I don't usually "feel" sick when they put me on I.V.s. So, I try to err on the side of caution after all the attempts at I.V.s that seem to do little more than dry up my cough and reduce sputum for a week or less.

Anyway... good luck to you as you fight your inflammation/bug/whatever. Please keep me posted! <img src="i/expressions/coughing.gif" border="0">

 

[ladybug]

Hey, Nightwriter!

Great insight! Thanks.... I hope that you're also experiencing inflammation and not infection. Are you feeling well otherwise?

YES!!! I totally get you about the putting your head down and THEN being able to cough it out!!! Its crazy. I was actually going to add that to my post but you beat me to it. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

They started me on nasal washes yesterday as well, but those have actually made my nose feel worse. I feel MORE plugged up now that I've been doing them. Is this normal?

So, you're coughing up tons of mucus or having a hard time but feel its there? I'm not coughing up tons. I huff and puff and dance around and nothing happens. Other than my upper chest feeling gunky and kinda that "sitting in my throat" feeling I actually am coughing LESS and less dark green crap. Very odd.

This whole disease process is just so hard to fathom sometimes. Each little illness/virus/inflamation feels just different enough to make things difficult. Each is a little quirky or includes one or two things that "don't quite feel like infection". Its frustrating.

I've actually been put on I.V. meds in the past when I probably should not have. It was likely at those times it was inflammation and asthma cause I only spike my FEV1 for a little while and am immediately back to baseline. And, those times, I don't usually "feel" sick when they put me on I.V.s. So, I try to err on the side of caution after all the attempts at I.V.s that seem to do little more than dry up my cough and reduce sputum for a week or less.

Anyway... good luck to you as you fight your inflammation/bug/whatever. Please keep me posted! <img src="i/expressions/coughing.gif" border="0">

 

[ladybug]

Hey, Nightwriter!
<br />
<br />Great insight! Thanks.... I hope that you're also experiencing inflammation and not infection. Are you feeling well otherwise?
<br />
<br />YES!!! I totally get you about the putting your head down and THEN being able to cough it out!!! Its crazy. I was actually going to add that to my post but you beat me to it. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />They started me on nasal washes yesterday as well, but those have actually made my nose feel worse. I feel MORE plugged up now that I've been doing them. Is this normal?
<br />
<br />So, you're coughing up tons of mucus or having a hard time but feel its there? I'm not coughing up tons. I huff and puff and dance around and nothing happens. Other than my upper chest feeling gunky and kinda that "sitting in my throat" feeling I actually am coughing LESS and less dark green crap. Very odd.
<br />
<br />This whole disease process is just so hard to fathom sometimes. Each little illness/virus/inflamation feels just different enough to make things difficult. Each is a little quirky or includes one or two things that "don't quite feel like infection". Its frustrating.
<br />
<br />I've actually been put on I.V. meds in the past when I probably should not have. It was likely at those times it was inflammation and asthma cause I only spike my FEV1 for a little while and am immediately back to baseline. And, those times, I don't usually "feel" sick when they put me on I.V.s. So, I try to err on the side of caution after all the attempts at I.V.s that seem to do little more than dry up my cough and reduce sputum for a week or less.
<br />
<br />Anyway... good luck to you as you fight your inflammation/bug/whatever. Please keep me posted! <img src="i/expressions/coughing.gif" border="0">

 

[Nightwriter]

Hi Sonia,

You asked how I felt. During the "blood" week...terrible. But I guess "terrible" is all relative. Flu-ish. But then when the blood stopped, day to day I felt better, then I felt worse with the increased mucus, my chest ached, then it didn't, felt feverish, but no fever....then I thought I was fine, then not. Like you said this was different from any exacerbation I ever had.

Any time I've had blood episodes for a week, it was an infection. But what was different about this whole episode -- was that each day, I coughed up less blood rather than more blood. My doctor said that after the initial blood vessel breaking, it could leak out of the vessel, and then finally it comes up. Which is what happened.

The cortisone shot has definitely made me feel better.

A word about the Nasal Rinse. If your nose is very red inside (inflamed) then nasal rinses can be painful. I use various nasal sprays to keep the inflamation down -- Nasalcrom, Astilin, and Nasonex -- every day. My doctor always looks at the redness and swelling in my nose, because she says that is probably how my lungs look too (another clue whether it's infection or inflamation.) As well as how your eardrums look.

Also when you are doing the Nasal Rinses, is the water coming out the other nostril on both sides? Because your nasal passages are probably very swollen too. Lungs? Nasal passages? See a pattern? Anyway, if the water doesn't come out, bend over, and let it drain.

The other thing I wanted to mention was the point that you brought up about sometimes taking antibiotis possibly unnecessarily. I saw another thread here where everybody was listing all the antibiotics that they they ever took. Things like Augementin and the like...A few people mentioned that these drugs do not work on Pseudomonas. Which is correct. But people take the drugs and feel better. When I was treated by other doctors, I too would be on Augmenten, Keflex, and others, every couple of months when I would get sick too. But since I've gone to this doctor, I haven't had any of these drugs in eleven years...

So I thought I'd ask her about this. I asked, "Why, if none of these drugs work on pseudomonas, why did I need them then?" And I did get better. So Did I in fact need them? She said no. It might give some psychological comfort (I'm sick, I need medicine). I would have gotten better without them. I mentioned to her that I have read that most people would recover from bronchitis without antibiotics. A lot of these infections are viral, or from inflamation. She said that is true and the new guidelines suggest that doctors do not prescribe antibiotics for 10 days after a cough begins. Now, of course if someone has asthma, there are other treatments (other than antibiotics) that must be done -- as we discusssed in the above posts.

I'm writing this while I'm doing my flutter, and so far so good. Love that Cortisone shot.

Keep me posted too.

 

[Nightwriter]

Hi Sonia,

You asked how I felt. During the "blood" week...terrible. But I guess "terrible" is all relative. Flu-ish. But then when the blood stopped, day to day I felt better, then I felt worse with the increased mucus, my chest ached, then it didn't, felt feverish, but no fever....then I thought I was fine, then not. Like you said this was different from any exacerbation I ever had.

Any time I've had blood episodes for a week, it was an infection. But what was different about this whole episode -- was that each day, I coughed up less blood rather than more blood. My doctor said that after the initial blood vessel breaking, it could leak out of the vessel, and then finally it comes up. Which is what happened.

The cortisone shot has definitely made me feel better.

A word about the Nasal Rinse. If your nose is very red inside (inflamed) then nasal rinses can be painful. I use various nasal sprays to keep the inflamation down -- Nasalcrom, Astilin, and Nasonex -- every day. My doctor always looks at the redness and swelling in my nose, because she says that is probably how my lungs look too (another clue whether it's infection or inflamation.) As well as how your eardrums look.

Also when you are doing the Nasal Rinses, is the water coming out the other nostril on both sides? Because your nasal passages are probably very swollen too. Lungs? Nasal passages? See a pattern? Anyway, if the water doesn't come out, bend over, and let it drain.

The other thing I wanted to mention was the point that you brought up about sometimes taking antibiotis possibly unnecessarily. I saw another thread here where everybody was listing all the antibiotics that they they ever took. Things like Augementin and the like...A few people mentioned that these drugs do not work on Pseudomonas. Which is correct. But people take the drugs and feel better. When I was treated by other doctors, I too would be on Augmenten, Keflex, and others, every couple of months when I would get sick too. But since I've gone to this doctor, I haven't had any of these drugs in eleven years...

So I thought I'd ask her about this. I asked, "Why, if none of these drugs work on pseudomonas, why did I need them then?" And I did get better. So Did I in fact need them? She said no. It might give some psychological comfort (I'm sick, I need medicine). I would have gotten better without them. I mentioned to her that I have read that most people would recover from bronchitis without antibiotics. A lot of these infections are viral, or from inflamation. She said that is true and the new guidelines suggest that doctors do not prescribe antibiotics for 10 days after a cough begins. Now, of course if someone has asthma, there are other treatments (other than antibiotics) that must be done -- as we discusssed in the above posts.

I'm writing this while I'm doing my flutter, and so far so good. Love that Cortisone shot.

Keep me posted too.

 

[Nightwriter]

Hi Sonia,

You asked how I felt. During the "blood" week...terrible. But I guess "terrible" is all relative. Flu-ish. But then when the blood stopped, day to day I felt better, then I felt worse with the increased mucus, my chest ached, then it didn't, felt feverish, but no fever....then I thought I was fine, then not. Like you said this was different from any exacerbation I ever had.

Any time I've had blood episodes for a week, it was an infection. But what was different about this whole episode -- was that each day, I coughed up less blood rather than more blood. My doctor said that after the initial blood vessel breaking, it could leak out of the vessel, and then finally it comes up. Which is what happened.

The cortisone shot has definitely made me feel better.

A word about the Nasal Rinse. If your nose is very red inside (inflamed) then nasal rinses can be painful. I use various nasal sprays to keep the inflamation down -- Nasalcrom, Astilin, and Nasonex -- every day. My doctor always looks at the redness and swelling in my nose, because she says that is probably how my lungs look too (another clue whether it's infection or inflamation.) As well as how your eardrums look.

Also when you are doing the Nasal Rinses, is the water coming out the other nostril on both sides? Because your nasal passages are probably very swollen too. Lungs? Nasal passages? See a pattern? Anyway, if the water doesn't come out, bend over, and let it drain.

The other thing I wanted to mention was the point that you brought up about sometimes taking antibiotis possibly unnecessarily. I saw another thread here where everybody was listing all the antibiotics that they they ever took. Things like Augementin and the like...A few people mentioned that these drugs do not work on Pseudomonas. Which is correct. But people take the drugs and feel better. When I was treated by other doctors, I too would be on Augmenten, Keflex, and others, every couple of months when I would get sick too. But since I've gone to this doctor, I haven't had any of these drugs in eleven years...

So I thought I'd ask her about this. I asked, "Why, if none of these drugs work on pseudomonas, why did I need them then?" And I did get better. So Did I in fact need them? She said no. It might give some psychological comfort (I'm sick, I need medicine). I would have gotten better without them. I mentioned to her that I have read that most people would recover from bronchitis without antibiotics. A lot of these infections are viral, or from inflamation. She said that is true and the new guidelines suggest that doctors do not prescribe antibiotics for 10 days after a cough begins. Now, of course if someone has asthma, there are other treatments (other than antibiotics) that must be done -- as we discusssed in the above posts.

I'm writing this while I'm doing my flutter, and so far so good. Love that Cortisone shot.

Keep me posted too.

 

[Nightwriter]

Hi Sonia,

You asked how I felt. During the "blood" week...terrible. But I guess "terrible" is all relative. Flu-ish. But then when the blood stopped, day to day I felt better, then I felt worse with the increased mucus, my chest ached, then it didn't, felt feverish, but no fever....then I thought I was fine, then not. Like you said this was different from any exacerbation I ever had.

Any time I've had blood episodes for a week, it was an infection. But what was different about this whole episode -- was that each day, I coughed up less blood rather than more blood. My doctor said that after the initial blood vessel breaking, it could leak out of the vessel, and then finally it comes up. Which is what happened.

The cortisone shot has definitely made me feel better.

A word about the Nasal Rinse. If your nose is very red inside (inflamed) then nasal rinses can be painful. I use various nasal sprays to keep the inflamation down -- Nasalcrom, Astilin, and Nasonex -- every day. My doctor always looks at the redness and swelling in my nose, because she says that is probably how my lungs look too (another clue whether it's infection or inflamation.) As well as how your eardrums look.

Also when you are doing the Nasal Rinses, is the water coming out the other nostril on both sides? Because your nasal passages are probably very swollen too. Lungs? Nasal passages? See a pattern? Anyway, if the water doesn't come out, bend over, and let it drain.

The other thing I wanted to mention was the point that you brought up about sometimes taking antibiotis possibly unnecessarily. I saw another thread here where everybody was listing all the antibiotics that they they ever took. Things like Augementin and the like...A few people mentioned that these drugs do not work on Pseudomonas. Which is correct. But people take the drugs and feel better. When I was treated by other doctors, I too would be on Augmenten, Keflex, and others, every couple of months when I would get sick too. But since I've gone to this doctor, I haven't had any of these drugs in eleven years...

So I thought I'd ask her about this. I asked, "Why, if none of these drugs work on pseudomonas, why did I need them then?" And I did get better. So Did I in fact need them? She said no. It might give some psychological comfort (I'm sick, I need medicine). I would have gotten better without them. I mentioned to her that I have read that most people would recover from bronchitis without antibiotics. A lot of these infections are viral, or from inflamation. She said that is true and the new guidelines suggest that doctors do not prescribe antibiotics for 10 days after a cough begins. Now, of course if someone has asthma, there are other treatments (other than antibiotics) that must be done -- as we discusssed in the above posts.

I'm writing this while I'm doing my flutter, and so far so good. Love that Cortisone shot.

Keep me posted too.

 

[Nightwriter]

Hi Sonia,
<br />
<br />You asked how I felt. During the "blood" week...terrible. But I guess "terrible" is all relative. Flu-ish. But then when the blood stopped, day to day I felt better, then I felt worse with the increased mucus, my chest ached, then it didn't, felt feverish, but no fever....then I thought I was fine, then not. Like you said this was different from any exacerbation I ever had.
<br />
<br />Any time I've had blood episodes for a week, it was an infection. But what was different about this whole episode -- was that each day, I coughed up less blood rather than more blood. My doctor said that after the initial blood vessel breaking, it could leak out of the vessel, and then finally it comes up. Which is what happened.
<br />
<br />The cortisone shot has definitely made me feel better.
<br />
<br />A word about the Nasal Rinse. If your nose is very red inside (inflamed) then nasal rinses can be painful. I use various nasal sprays to keep the inflamation down -- Nasalcrom, Astilin, and Nasonex -- every day. My doctor always looks at the redness and swelling in my nose, because she says that is probably how my lungs look too (another clue whether it's infection or inflamation.) As well as how your eardrums look.
<br />
<br />Also when you are doing the Nasal Rinses, is the water coming out the other nostril on both sides? Because your nasal passages are probably very swollen too. Lungs? Nasal passages? See a pattern? Anyway, if the water doesn't come out, bend over, and let it drain.
<br />
<br />The other thing I wanted to mention was the point that you brought up about sometimes taking antibiotis possibly unnecessarily. I saw another thread here where everybody was listing all the antibiotics that they they ever took. Things like Augementin and the like...A few people mentioned that these drugs do not work on Pseudomonas. Which is correct. But people take the drugs and feel better. When I was treated by other doctors, I too would be on Augmenten, Keflex, and others, every couple of months when I would get sick too. But since I've gone to this doctor, I haven't had any of these drugs in eleven years...
<br />
<br />So I thought I'd ask her about this. I asked, "Why, if none of these drugs work on pseudomonas, why did I need them then?" And I did get better. So Did I in fact need them? She said no. It might give some psychological comfort (I'm sick, I need medicine). I would have gotten better without them. I mentioned to her that I have read that most people would recover from bronchitis without antibiotics. A lot of these infections are viral, or from inflamation. She said that is true and the new guidelines suggest that doctors do not prescribe antibiotics for 10 days after a cough begins. Now, of course if someone has asthma, there are other treatments (other than antibiotics) that must be done -- as we discusssed in the above posts.
<br />
<br />I'm writing this while I'm doing my flutter, and so far so good. Love that Cortisone shot.
<br />
<br />Keep me posted too.