Lingering Bronchitis

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 5, 2005

LPN 90 said:
Hi Pulomo Nurses,
I have had bronchitis for 5 weeks now. HELP !!!
I have been on Z-Pak, Tequin and Avelox to no avail.
I am on Albuterol Inhaler, Advair, bid but this chroic cough won't go away.
My voice his raspy and hoorifice. I went to an ENT and they said I now have nodules on my vocal cords from the chronic coughing. They said the only way to relieve it will be to rest my voice and stop talking.....Yea right !!
How do you hold down a job and not talk ??
I would be so grateful to anyone who might be able to give me some ideas on how I can finally get healthy again ..
Thanks so much !
LPN 90

I wouldn't attempt to diagnose you over the Internet, of course, but you sound so much like me it's not even funny........I have asthma, and everytime I get bronchitis the cough and the voice changes will linger for weeks, even months. In fact, one of the ways I know my asthma is about to flare up is when my voice becomes husky for no apparent reason......this sometimes happens even when I'm NOT incubating some infection, and within days I'll develop a full-blown asthma exacerbation.

The usual picture, though, is more like this: I catch a cold/sore throat, then it rapidly goes into my chest and I develop bronchitis, at which point I know I'm in for weeks of coughing and wheezing whether or not I take any ABX. I usually have to go on prednisone for a week or two to get the inflammation under control, do nebulizer tx at home to manage the symptoms, and sometimes I need narcotic cough medicines to help me control the nighttime coughing fits.

Check it out with your doctor.........a lot of asthma goes undiagnosed because people tend to put up with their symptoms, not realizing they may be related to something that's not just a "cough that goes on for weeks".

Good luck to you, and please keep us posted. ?

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · May 5, 2005

mjlrn97 >>> Thanks so much for the reply. Sounds like we're kindred spirits!

I may see if I can get a medrol-dose-pack for this episode and see if that helps. You have a great day :) Again....thanks !!!

LPN 90

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 5, 2005

You are very welcome........Just follow up on this please, get a diagnosis, and if it turns out you do have asthma, make sure to follow your doctor's instructions, even when you're feeling well and having no symptoms. Asthma may sound like it's not serious, but it can be.......I've seen folks end up on ventilators during an acute exacerbation, and that can happen to any one of us at any time if we don't take care of ourselves!

Blessings,

Marla :)

fotografe · May 5, 2005

I had bronchitis from November to February when I was pregnant with my son. My doctor did everything she could and then said she could do no more and sent me to an acupuncturist. I had my doubts but was desperate. The first appointment she interviewed me (had to make sure I had no active bacterial infections) and then placed the needles. They are small. A few sting when being placed, but not much more than that. You can't feel them once they are in. I had them everywhere. She left me alone for about 30 minutes in a dark room with soothing music on. I fell asleep. She took the needles out and then did this odd thing with a chinese soup spoon, scraping along my spine pretty firmly. I was told by a Chinese friend that this is typical traditional treatment and stimulates nerves along your spine. I felt relaxed, but other wise no different when I left. Then in the car, about 15 minutes after the treatment, I coughed like I had never coughed before. I can only describe it as coughing up pure evil. It lasted 3 hours. The next day I was pretty much clear. I went back two days later, and had gotten congested slightly again, and again, I coughed after this treatment and cleared everything out. I went back two days after that for a final treatment. I had no congestion, but it was kind of a safety appointment. I was completely cured in a span of only 5 days. (appts M W F)

Try it. It really worked for me. My insurance carrier gave me a 15% discount on the fees. It was about $40 per treatment ( Boston Area).

Good Luck!

After

LPN 90 said:
Hi Pulomo Nurses,
I have had bronchitis for 5 weeks now. HELP !!!
I have been on Z-Pak, Tequin and Avelox to no avail.
I am on Albuterol Inhaler, Advair, bid but this chroic cough won't go away.
My voice his raspy and hoorifice. I went to an ENT and they said I now have nodules on my vocal cords from the chronic coughing. They said the only way to relieve it will be to rest my voice and stop talking.....Yea right !!
How do you hold down a job and not talk ??
I would be so grateful to anyone who might be able to give me some ideas on how I can finally get healthy again ..
Thanks so much !
LPN 90

Geezer · Sep 13, 2005

Hi Lingering Bronchitis,

Hope you are feeling better.

I am an RN with Vent and trach experience for over 20 years.

Here are a few ideas that you might find helpful.

1. Hot and Cold

For the throat and you might consider applying alternating hot and cold to dilate and constrict the blood vessels there. The rationale is to bring new O2 and nutrients to the site as heat dilates blood vessels, then use cold and resulting constriction to force the swelling and toxins away. I recommend 2-3 minutes of heat followed by the same of cold.

A quick -easy way to fix a hot pack is to put a damp washcloth in the microwave for 2 minutes, then wrapping it inside a dry towel.

For a cold pack you might try a package of frozen veggies wrapped in a damp washcloth to maximize thermal transfer. Continue alternating back and forth for about 20 minutes. You may need to reheat your washcloth to maximize the thermal dynamic range.

If this treatment seems helpful, you could repeat it several times a day PRN. The treatment should bring relief, but remember that the throat is still injured and this treatment with a reduction in inflammation provides your neck a greater opportunity to heal. The healing occurs after the treatment so try to rest after each one.

2. Herbs and Vitamins

Licorice tea contains a natural expectorant, cortisone and diuretic. I have experienced major benefit its use. You might try a cup or two a day and monitor results. If you take it along with a decongestant the tea loosens mucus from the membrane. It should help you start getting rid of lung and sinus mucus in 2-3 days. (When I feel a cold coming on I take licorice tea and cough syrup. For me it stops 90 percent of colds before they get a toehold.)

When I was just out of college, I had a bout of tonsillitis. A Naturopath mentioned that Vitamins E, D and B liquefied lymphatic fluid. I tried it and it relieved all symptoms. You might access a medicinal herb book and review the list of herbs and their therapeutic application. The philosophy behind AROMATHERAPY and Essential oil is intriguing. I haven't experienced this first hand, but believe they are worth checking out. Acupuncture also could be a viable option.

3. Allergies & Sensitivities

You might be experiencing a reaction to something. Consider examining your diet. Try avoiding all dairy products for a week. Wheat products bother many people. You may be challenged with processed or fast foods. Try avoiding fried food and you might consider avoiding meat. Consider eliminating artificial sweeteners and preservatives from your diet. Avoid MSG. (I worked briefly at an allergy-testing center and found out that allergies can mimic everything from rashes to arrhythmias and psychiatric disorders.)

I have a challenge processing pork rennin, which is an ingredient in jellybeans and gummy bears. I find if I eat just one jellybean I will have intense prolonged dry coughing spells almost every half hour for about three days.

You also might have issues with laundry soap, bath soap, shampoo, hairspray or makeup. Possibly household cleaning chemicals, air freshener spray. Pet hair... .... Allergy testing may be something to consider.

You may be reacting to something in the air. Diesel fumes exhaust pesticides, pollen... (One client was reacting to a chemical they were pouring on a forest fire miles away.)To eliminate airborne particles I recommend an ozone machine.

3. Fresh Air

I have a major challenge working in a hospital setting at night. I found out that air-conditioning systems often filter and recalculate the same air. During the day, real air sneaks in when the outside doors open. At night we were 'SOL'.

4. Internal Toxins

You might consider going on a cleanse to eliminate waste and tune up your system. A Google search for colon and liver cleanse will give you further resources. You can do some things to assist your lymph system pump toxins out of your body. Chances are, a daily massage would be helpful. For lung congestion, CPT could help.

You may consider an alternative to deodorant. Consider a powder (without Aluminum) that doesn't block your pores. If you still feel that toxicity is your challenge you might try eliminating heavy metals from your body. A fast and cleanse helps release heavy metals from the tissues, but there is a high probability that you have deposits of mercury in your teeth.

5. Environmental Exposure

You may be reacting to issues related to work. As for long-term effects, nitrous oxide is not a carcinogen or a mutagen. However, chronic exposure can mess up the vitamin B12 in your system, which can lead to impaired DNA synthesis and poor cell growth. Chronic users can end up with something akin to pernicious anemia. Those most in peril are hospital operating-room staff who are exposed to small amounts of leaked gas over long periods, although 24-hour exposure to a high concentration will also do the job.

Other

Might as well consider exercise and rest patterns as well as the emotional state that you are in.

Well, I'll quit annoying everybody now. This does not begin to cover the possibilities, but are a reflection of my experience. Hope you find something in there that is helpful.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 13, 2005

Thanks, Geezer, but, hopefully the OPs bronchitis/laryngitis has resolved after 4 months......