Am I getting pneumonia or what?

[jread]

First, I just want to say that I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning before everyone comes in with the "y RU askIn on a intraweb forUm instEdz of g0in to teh DcoTor?!?111" comments.

For the past few weeks I've had this cold/allergy thing going on. Some coughing, lots of sneezing, major sinus problems... always having to blow my nose.

This past week it seems to have migrated into my chest. I don't have the sinus issues as much, now I just can't stop coughing. It feels like I need to cough something up but it feels like whatever is in my chest is so deep that there's no way I could. I'm also having a major shortness of breath here and there and am having to use my asthma inhaler (which I NEVER need) almost constantly. I had to go get it refilled last night since I'm using it so much.

This morning I stayed home from work to try to get some rest, but I don't seem to be getting any better. Also, starting this morning, there is a "rattle" in my chest everytime I inhale or exhale. I can put my hand on my chest and feel it actually vibrate from the rattling whenever I breathe.

So, WTF is wrong with me? Jenny thinks it may be pneumonia. What do you guys think? I'm not a person who gets sick very often so I have no idea what it is.

 

[Sundog]

You are asking here. Hahahaha.......

 

[Kalvin00]

I'm no expert but I bet it's pneumonia..

 

[n0cmonkey]

It's HIV.

 

[Squisher]

Whopping cough is on the comeback this year too.

Try regular Robitussin (Guiatuss) followed by a glass of water until you see the doc.


EDIT: I said regular tussin because all the PEs, DMs, CEs, etc. have stuff to dry you out.

 

[jread]

I've been searching around the web and from what I've read, it sounds like acute bronchitis: http://www.infectionspotlight....n/CommonBronchitis.jsp

The thing that sucks is that I also have asthma and this is triggering it, so it's not too easy to breathe right now

 

[olds]

Sounds like SARS.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: jread
I've been searching around the web and from what I've read, it sounds like acute bronchitis: http://www.infectionspotlight....n/CommonBronchitis.jsp

The thing that sucks is that I also have asthma and this is triggering it, so it's not too easy to breathe right now

I agree, but this can develop into pneumonia. Doc will give you antibiotics and some condiene laced cough syrup. If that doesn't work the next step will be inhalers . And, finally prednisone(sp?).

Read my above post as a stop gap.

 

[paulney]

Doesn't sound like pneumonia to me. More like bronchitis. Pneumonia is a very active process, accompanied by fever and overall weakness. If untreated, it develops rapidly, and you'd be calling 911 instead of posting on a forum. Bronchitis, on the other hand, can be going on in the background with similiar symptoms as you described. Definitely needs to be checked out by a doctor.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: jread
I've been searching around the web and from what I've read, it sounds like acute bronchitis: http://www.infectionspotlight....n/CommonBronchitis.jsp

The thing that sucks is that I also have asthma and this is triggering it, so it's not too easy to breathe right now

I agree, but this can develop into pneumonia. Doc will give you antibiotics and some condiene laced cough syrup. If that doesn't work the next step will be inhalers . And, finally prednisone(sp?).

Read my above post as a stop gap.

Bah, someone already posted about it. I need to read to the end of thread.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Sounds like bronchitis.

Doctor will probably tell you to keep using the inhaler, take a cough medicine with guaifenesin and possibly prescribe antibiotics. Should clear up within a week. If not come back and see me...er him.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Probably bronchitis, but if you keep letting it go, it can very well turn into pneumonia I have a problem with this, I get it about 3 times a year, and unfortunately, I'm very prone to have it turn into pneumonia quickly.
Get some antibiotics and you'll be fine.

And don't let it go so long next time, the worse it is, the longer it takes to recover. Get used to that cough, you'll have it for at least another month.

 

[alien42]

sounds like you might die

 

[jread]

Thanks for the help everyone