Cough

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A quick background on me: I have asthma (not severe). It rarely bothers me unless I'm exercising or if I get too hot. I have had bronchitis in the past (mom said so), but it was a while back and I don't remember having it.For the past two weeks, I've had this wheezing type cough that neither my inhaler(s) or cough medicine could get rid of. I seemed to get better over the weekend, but it came back Sunday night. I'm coughing up some phlegm (sp), but not much. It doesn't sound like a cough that comes w/ a common cold, but more like an asthma cough. Along w/ the cough, I'm wheezing and I feel short of breath. I can't get too excited or laugh as this will bring on the coughing. I had a sore throat Sunday and Monday, but it seems to have gone away. I have a general feeling of tightness in my chest. My nose is stuffy (maybe because I sit under the air vents at work for 8 hours a day) and I sound stopped up. I'm not really concerned with my nose as I am with the cough.My mom is thinking that I have a touch of bronchitis again. I'm not so sure because I don't remember having it as a child. Any ideas? I went to the doctor last Monday and they gave me some type of new inhaler, but it's not working. I've taken all the antibiotics and I'm still coughing. I took some cough medicine last night, but I was still coughing and my nose was still running. Any ideas?

To add to the above post, it also sounds like it's coupled with a sinus infection (been there, done that) I would also recommend mirroring your post on WebMD (search for Dr. Enright's [asthma and respiratory specialist] board, instead of the asthma support board)

Did you get your whooping cough(prertussis) booster when you were in high school? That acts more like asthma than a normal cold. Do a Google search and see if your symptoms match. Pretty rare still but it gets misdiagnosed a lot.Here is a little bit of info...The first symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of a common cold: * runny nose * sneezing * mild cough * low-grade feverAfter about 1 to 2 weeks, the dry, irritating cough evolves into coughing spells. During a coughing spell, which can last for more than a minute, the child may turn red or purple. At the end of a spell, the child may make a characteristic whooping sound when breathing in or may vomit. Between spells, the child usually feels well.Although it's likely that infants and younger children who become infected with B. pertussis will develop the characteristic coughing episodes with their accompanying whoop, not everyone will. However, sometimes infants don't cough or whoop as older children do. They may look as if they're gasping for air with a reddened face and may actually stop breathing for a few seconds during particularly bad spells.Adults and adolescents with whooping cough may have milder or atypical symptoms, such as a prolonged cough without the coughing spells or the whoop.

To be fair Pepsi, whooping cough has pretty much gone the way of polio.

As a 19 year veteran of asthma (I'm 22) Classy is describing symptoms that I've had verbatim at various points in my life.

The best option is to look at a possible sinus infection, coupled with either bronchitis or an upper respiratory infection. (All of that aggravating the asthma)

The problem is, that it is becoming more prevalent and the need for the later vaccine is there. My concern is that she has been fighting it for a while, and the medicine and such isn't helping her. Edit: She is also seeing a doc, it is a worthy question to ask of him as well.

I can honestly say that sounds about right. I had a similar bout just last August that took about a month to turn to shit, and nearly two months to regain my health.Even Prednisone (corticosteroid) can have limited effectiveness. Remember too that anti-bacterial medication is useless against a viral infections (Unfortunately, it seems murhpey's law makes sure that's the case)

Here is a bit of a rundown, Mayo site I don't want to say she has it, but it is getting more common, and just want her to check with her doc especially since many people don't get the booster. Doesn't really seem fatal to older people, but if it is whooping cough, she will feel better sooner if it is diagnosed properly.I am very aware that asthma doesn't help the situation any...

Hey Classy,I too have had similar symptoms on a couple of occasions. Mine turned about to bronchitis one time and a severe sinus infection the next. I had the nasty cough that was irritated by dry air like yours. I found some medicated cough drops. They have an anesthetic in them that helps to temporarily numb your throat so you can get passed the tickle/irritation etc. I remember needing them mostly at night when the coughing came on the most. Once I could get some relief from the nasty cough I was able to sleep.You can get them at any pharmacy in the cold/allergy section. Incidentally, I have bad allergies too and these drops work for itchy throat too.Good luck!

To add to this, you may wish to avoid ones that are heavy in menthol. A couple asthmatics find it irritates asthma symptoms.

This certainly does sound like an upper respiratory tract infection or bronchitis. It could be viral, in which case antibiotics would not help. Or it could be that the antibiotic you took wasn't the right one or didn't do enough. I would give it a little time and if it doesn't get better go back to the doctor. I sure hope you feel better soon!!!

Good point. Sorry, I left that out. I can't find my packaging, but I know mine are cherry flavored, non-menthol with one of the numbing agents.

Well, I don't really know what more I could add to this except my diagnosis. lol. From what you describe it doesn't sound like bronchitis. Bronchitis seems (to me) to be more of a hacking, rough cough. You sound alot like my youngest son. He developes an asthma type cough and breathing when he gets a respiratory, sinus, and even ear infection. It was really bad when he developed pneumonia. He actually has to get breathing treatments, you know from those nebulizer machines. But it always happens when he contracts some type of infection. When this happens, I sometimes notice him breathing from deep in his belly and he is real short of breathe. He needs to go in and get prednisone, antibiotics and multiple breathing treatments for a few days. If I were you, I would go back to the doctor. I think you need some combination of anti-inflammatory and antibiotics.

With my personal experience I can't help but chime in with this....Prednisone is the devils candy. Unless someone REALLY REALLY needs it, I'd avoid it.The side-effects in the long term are damn near as bad as the disease, and the short term side effects are brutal. I had a quack put me on a 5 day 50mg dose and I got to deal with shakes that boarded on convulsions, cold sweats etc. Devils-freaking-candy.

Well, it's not like you can get it over the counter. It has to be prescribed. And do you realize how quickly air ways can close? That is what Prednisone is for. I highly doubt a doctor would prescribe it willy-nilly. It has been the saving grace for my son a few times.Generally Prednisone is meant to be tapered off the last few days. Although, short bursts of the drug ie. 3 days do not have to be tapered. Perhaps your doctor should have tapered you down slowly.

I still know from personal experience that Prednisone is like Penicllian, Lozeprem, or Ritalin, it's the "cure-all" flavour-of-the-week.I wouldn't call him a doctor, so much as a freaking quack...(nor was he 'my' doctor, he went on vacation and I had to visit this quack at a walk-in clinic)I'm sure it is very valuable, but it's over prescribed consider the massive list of proven side effects and damage the drug causes.

Ok, so now that I totally took the thread off topic (sorry Kristal-kiss, kiss :)) what do you suggest giving to a patient instead of Prednisone? Btw, just so you don't think I am, but I'm not trying to be an ass. Just curious about your thoughts and feelings since I think the drug is more helpful than harmful.

More helpful than harmful depending on the situation (as most drugs are to be fair, from Nitro pills, Lithium, antidepressants)Prednisone (And other corticosteroids) tend to lower the immune system, and even after a long period of use it can pretty much destroy it. It hinders healing, and literally only treats the symptoms; besides also having psychological effects (Don't forget the lovely 'moon-face' some patients get)My point being the drug is being abused by doctors. Especially for breathing problems; there should be more effort on the breathing environment for the person, as well as INHALED NSAIDS. However, a good alternative to oral corticosteroids are leukotriene receptor antagonists...better known by the brand name SINGULAIR. I'm on that myself and it does a better job than pred..

Quote:Especially for breathing problems; there should be more effort on the breathing environment for the person, How does this help someone that developes breathing issues from INFECTIONS (sinus, respiratory etc.)? Which is the case for my son and why I mentioned it in this thread for Kristal, being that it seems like she has some type of INFECTION.I think you and I are talking about completely different situations. I am referring to 'emergency' or 'right now' situations, whereas you seem to be referring to long term use of Prednisone. And I don't think it is even ethical to have a patient on Prednisone for life for something like asthma. (although I could be wrong) I know there is long term therapy, but even that eventually gets tapered down. Quote:better known by the brand name SINGULAIR. I'm on that myself and it does a better job than pred.. Right, so you are talking about everyday use. You need a stronger bronchodilator when your air ways are almost completely constricted. By the way, I do know what corticosteroids and medications such as Singulair are. So you are not really clarifying things for me.

Since prednisone causes a negative reaction on the immune system; it is logical to assume that using it during in infection will prolong it. Also, the environment is VERY important for recovery, even if you don't have asthma or allergies, it is important to stay away from pollen, pet hair, smoke, dust, chemicals, and mold. There is a reason WHY she became sick; if this is due to mold in her office or house, excessive dust, or a previously unknown allergy, it should be taken care of.

Using prednisone even in a "right now" situation, may lead to a physiological dependency (especially if your doctor is a quack and doesn't taper you off) pred is STRONG stuff, even tapering down to 10mg and then stopping is enough to cause a withdrawal...especially dangerous if you still have the infection (since now your symptoms are going completely untreated)

You didn't mention previously that you knew the difference between cortico's and mont-sodium; you don't have to jump on me for that one...overall, I apologize for not being a pulmonologist.

If you'd like, you can always seek out the message board on WebMD run by Dr. Paul Enright, he specializes in respiratory illnesses, and may be able to provide better answers than I can (Not being a doctor, and all)

Ummm, I didn't jump on you. And I even made a comment about me not trying to be an ass...why are you trying to be an ass?

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If you'd like, you can always seek out the message board on WebMD

No thanks. I work in a hospital. My very, very good friends are nurses that are all older than me and have 20+ years of experience. Not to mention, I have a pretty good working friendship with a few MD's and PhD's around here.

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and may be able to provide better answers than I can (Not being a doctor, and all)

Which is why you shouldn't go around saying things like Prednisone is the "devils's candy".