ongoing bronchitis

United States
January 21, 2008 1:20pm CST
I have had bronchitis for over 3 months. Perfectly healthy before then and now I am being told I may have asthma. Never had any symptoms until I started coughing when the last cold I had turned into bronchitis. Can you just get asthma out of nowhere?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@mugwort (77)
• United States
22 Jan 08
I have no idea but being I've been suffering from bronchitis intermittently for the past few years I can somewhat sympathize with you. Do you still have our tonsils. I remember when I got mine out at 8 it really improved my bronchitis for years. Before I literally came down with acute bronchitis every other month for the first 8 years of my life.
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
22 Jan 08
I suffer from occasional bouts of allergic bronchitis. I once had it turn into pneumonia. Did your doctor do a chest x-ray? Did you do a breathing test? Did they put you on antibiotics? Usually when I get it bad, they put me on Azythromicin, or what is called a Z-Pak. I find it rather strange that you suddenly developed it. My mother in law was diagnosed with emphysema several years ago, went to the doctor for a constant cough, and they found spots in her lungs... turned out it was lung cancer. Has your doctor run the necessary tests, or is this just his best guess? It could be allergies too. I was put on Zyrtec for allergies and that has kept me from getting the allergic bronchitis as often as I used to. As a matter of fact, I haven't had it in over a year now. If your doctor didn't run tests, look into seeing a respiratory therapist. They can run the tests you need. Hope that helps.
• United States
22 Jan 08
Yes, I have had 2 chest x-rays, both were normal. I have done the pulmonary breathing tests several times, all normal. I just finished my fifth antibiotic in 3 months. I believe that my primary doctor did not treat me correctly in the beginning by only giving me augmentin, which is like giving me baby aspirin basically. I have now seen an allergy and asthma specialist, where after extensive testing, I am allergic to nothing. So, maybe when the weather warms up for good, it may go away, but I see him again in 2 weeks to see if I am any better.
• United States
22 Jan 08
Well, it sounds like you are on the right track. Augmentin is basically worthless against severe bronchitis. I went that route too, fighting with the VA doctors before I finally went to my kid's doctor, and I used my husband's insurance, so it paid for the visit, that was when it had turned into pneumonia. I was extremely irritated with the VA doctors, because they consistently prescribe the cheapest meds they can. I had to get approval for the Zyrtec because it's so expensive, but it's the only thing that keeps me from getting bad bronchitis. Hopefully, the new doctor will get this under controll. I remember my ex husband told me of him getting asthma so bad they thought he would die. One of the older doctors came through on the weekend doing rounds, (he was in the hospital) and that doctor stopped all the other meds, put him on super high doses of vitamin C and it cured him. Maybe adding some vitamin C to your daily routine might do some good. It surely couldn't hurt, as it helps boost the immune system.
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
8 Mar 08
i think there are some who develop asthma later in life.. some when they are born. but our doctor said that babies who get asthma can be cured easier than those who got asthma as adult.
• United States
21 Jan 08
Hello stephie2, Your body might be weakened in your immune defenses department simply because the air has so much pollutant in it that our bodies cannot resist fast enough the allergens that precipitate an 'asthmatic attack'. I worked for an ear, nose and throat specialist for nearly ten years and learned quite alot about changing body systems as we grow older and away from being protected by our immune system. As it weakens, so do we. Might I suggest for your bronchitis attack, some Echinacea, Zinc and plenty of Vitamin C ? Unfortunately, once a body gets a bronchial infection, it is difficult to remove it even with antibiotic treatment that further inhibits the weakness of immunity. You are not alone. I had bronchitis back in 1997 and occasionally I will still get a 'flare-up' yet never, thankfully, developed serious allergies from it. I hope I have helped some and I wish you a speedy recovery ! sharing the light and happy new year, Miss Erica Hidvegi, the Enlightenment_Advisor, B.A. Psych/M.A. Transpersonal Studies- Cnslng/Author, Artist, Photographer, Entrepreneur & Freelance extraordinaire http://www.enlightenment-psych.net/psychologistsnatural.htm