Bronchitis, is worse than the flu. It feels like biological torture.

[Arkitech]

Early last week I was in the last stages of a cold when I developed a really nasty cough. I could barely speak a sentence without an accompanying 5 minute cough. I finally got into the doctor and I was told I have bronchitis. They gave me anti-biotics which really did'nt seem to help much.

I'm constantly either burning up or freezing, often both at the same time. Sometimes I can get through the day without much coughing but then in the evening it seems like I'll have a coughing spell for 10 hours, so naturally I have'nt been able to get much sleep.

Then there's the issue of hydration, I try to drink a lot of fluid. But the more I drink the thirstier I get, I'm a diabetic so I'm aware of elevated blood sugar levels and what comes with that. My blood glucose levels are somewhat high, but not high to drive the type of thirst I have. Drinking Gatorade seems to help keep me from feeling thirsty for awhile, but once that runs out I'm back to square one.

I can't wait for this nightmare to end. For the people who've had bronchitis how long does it take to get rid of this sickness? And what can I do to prevent from being constantly thirsty despite drinking lots of fluids?

 

[highland145]

Fortunately, I've been bronchitis free for 6+ years. I learned that getting an antibiotic ASAP is the best thing for me. 2 weeks of suffering vs. a few days.

Good luck.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I had bronchitis + atelectasis that turned into Pneumonia. First or second closest I ever felt to dying in my life. I needed antibiotics to get better from what I understand bronchitis usually isn't bacterial though.

 

[brainhulk]

advair or symbicort BID

 

[CrazyAznDriver]

probably lung cancer... your going to die bro.

 

[highland145]

I had bronchitis + atelectasis that turned into Pneumonia. First or second closest I ever felt to dying in my life. I needed antibiotics to get better from what I understand bronchitis usually isn't bacterial though.

Thanks. Don't want to give the OP poor info. Maybe I've just been lucky.

You DO NOT need antibiotics for acute bronchitis caused by a virus. The infection will generally go away on its own within 1 week. Take the following steps for some relief:

• Do not smoke
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Rest
• Take aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you have a fever. DO NOT give aspirin to children
• Use a humidifier or steam in the bathroom

If your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler to open your airways if you are wheezing. If your doctor thinks that you have a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. Most of the time, antibiotics are not needed or recommended.

 

[Arkitech]

probably lung cancer... your going to die bro.

again?

 

[dud]

Imagine what life was life before antibiotics ...

 

[Arkitech]

What about the thirst thing? How do I keep from being constantly thirsty?

 

[highland145]

What about the thirst thing? How do I keep from being constantly thirsty?

Sorry other that drink more, I have no idea.

 

[KidNiki1]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2191885 ???

 

[Elganja]

lots of water and make sure you spit out the flem that comes out.

may want to ask your doctor if you should take a decongestant such as mucinex-D (behind the counter good decongestant)

 

[ussfletcher]

Vick's Vaporub and a humidifier will do wonders to help you sleep.

 

[Eli]

If you think bronchitis is worse than the flu, you've likely never actually had the flu.

 

[911paramedic]

If you think bronchitis is worse than the flu, you've likely never actually had the flu.

And vice versa.

 

[torpid]

And vice versa.

Disagree; I've had bronchitis multiple times in my life and it's nothing compared to the flu or pneumonia (both of which I've had as well). Though, as a kid with bad asthma, it certainly was quite scary.

 

[JTsyo]

I have a special hate for bronchitis since I had it in HS when we had football in gym. I had to sit out the whole 2nd half of the season (we had teams playing a tournament).

 

[Regs]

I had bronchitis once and it felt like a bad cold with a cough for about a month. The Flu will have you laying your face on a toilet.

 

[KLin]

What about the thirst thing? How do I keep from being constantly thirsty?

Are you absolutely sure your blood sugar is within the normal range at the moment? Go check it and post the results.

 

[Regs]

I also remember when I was stressed to the max with panic and I actually couldn't stop peeing and had dry mouth.

Stress can have the same effect on you. And if you're going to panic about everything you feel different about your body, then odds are, it could just be in your head. Of course, no one online is going to tell you that especially after admitting to type II.

 

[Xyclone]

The first time I had bronchitis, I thought I was going to die from the whooping cough lol. Smoking endless bowls of weed, chilling in an indoor hookah lounge, and smoking mad hookah bowls while sick turned out to be not the best idea.

Now, I've dealt with bouts of acute bronchitis about a dozen times since then, and know exactly what to do:

-no antihistamines!!! (they create more bronchial secretions)
-no smoking of weed or tobacco products while sick (and a week after)
-I take antibiotics sometimes, even if only 5% of bronchitis is viral
-don't use too many cough suppressants (you need to cough that shit out)
-take Guafeneisin!! (generic Mucinex)
-drink plenty of fluids
-relax, we all get better with time

 

[FirNaTine]

...
-no antihistamines!!! (they create more bronchial secretions)...

Actually no, diphenhydramine (Benadryl and others) reduces them. That makes them thicker and harder to clear. But generally you are right it is to be avoided. Not all antihistamines do this as also, it is not the histamine blocking but rather a side effect of some of the antihistamines. Namely those that have anticholinergic side effects.

Doxylamine (diphenhydramine cousin) is the antihistamine in Nyquil, and related product, and also has the same side effects

Fexofenadine (Allegra) for example does not cause these problems.

Moral of the story though is you should be seeing a practitioner of some sort for this, and discussing medications, including OTC products with them. They can give you a list safe to take. Pharmacists should also be able to let you know if medications you are condsidering have anticholinergic effects.

*The above is for general information, and is not medical advice for a specific situation.*

 

[macystu]

can anyone please guide I was looking for help, and have stumbled here today
I’ve been diagnosed with both asthma and chronic bronchitis at different times in the past. Recently (past 6 months) my normal OTC hasnt been preventing symptoms well. Most of the day every day I have coughing fits and constantly feel like I need to clear my throat. This has always been solved by taking a 24 hour allergy tab (allegra) and using my albuterol inhaler if the preventative allergy med fails me. This is not bringing any relief. Not serious enough symptoms to worry about an acute asthma attack with high risk but sick of constantly coughing and feeling like my throat needs clearing. Any recommendations on additional/alternative preventative measures or other diagnoses that may have been previously missed that would cause these symptoms are appreciated. Even if it’s a EverydayHealth level information, I would appreciate any thoughts that may steer me in the direction of relief. No other chronic conditions No drug/alcohol use No current tobacco use Former smoker/Last smoked 10 years ago.

 

[shortylickens]

KLIN!!!!!!

I wanna kiss him! But he's long gone now.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

we're a tech forum, we aren't doctors