Bronchitis?

[synesthesia]

Early in October, I started having difficulty breathing. I figured I was just having a panic attack, but I was still having trouble breathing

the next day. It got worse, and worse, until finally I went to the ER. They told me I had "a touch of bronchitis", and prescribed some

antiobiotics that I needed to take for a month. They also told me to take some kind of anti-allergy medicine, but it doesn't seem to help at

all.

On the last week of the antibiotics, I kept forgetting to take them, and I didn't want to start taking them again since they were almost

gone. My breathing was seemingly improving, and I thought it was almost gone. Then a few days later, it came back. So my doctor came over and

did an exam, and gave me a perscription for a different antibiotic, that I was to take for 2 months. I've been sticking with it so far, with

no improvement, and no relief.

A few days ago, the doctor told me it would be ok to use Primatene Mist to ease my breathing. I just started using it today, and the only

noticable changes, are that I have developed a dry cough, and my voice is scratchy. I never had any kind of cough before using the inhaler. Just a little bit of a

whistling sound when I inhale sometimes, and a really tight, congested feeling in my chest.

I can't reach my doctor at the moment, and I would like other opinions as well. Should I stop using the inhaler? Do I even have bronchitis at

all? Could it be something else that I ought to discuss with my doctor?

I should probably mention that I've lived with heavy smokers all my life, and I currently live with 2. I don't smoke, and I pretty much stay

clear of them when they're smoking. Would the second hand smoke still affect me?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

sorry you are having these symptoms.

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this is a board for nurses and nurses-to-be to discuss primarily nursing issues. this is not a free medical advice board. please be aware that allnurses.com cannot be responsible for problems resulting from reliance on medical or nursing advice received here. "if you have a medical problem, please seek attention from your health care provider."

"bit of whistling sound when you inhale, and tight chest" symptom of airway tightness often seen in bronchitis and asthma. followup with your family doctor or see pulmonary (lung) specialist since symptoms have persisted.

info links:

bronchitis

asthma: steps in diagnosis

symptoms of asthma