Expert: Marc Rubin, RPh Asthma Educator - 5/2/2010

Question
i have had broncitis for about 6 wks, have been on 2 different antibiotics neither which have gotten rid of it..i cough alot and feel tightness in my chest, i have been taking prednisone and abutreol thru the nebulizer daily...i am really at a loss of as what to do and how to get rid of this?

Answer
Hi Amy,
Simply put, bronchitis is a pain in the butt. I had it last spring, and it lasted for weeks, which is typical.

Pushing fluids, keeping the air well humidified ( I'd go to sleep with my face just above the humidifier...at the end of EVERY exhalation, my lungs would whistle!) getting plenty of rest, eating well and properly taking the medication is essential. If you smoke, or live with smokers, quit, and get the others to respect the fact that they are having an negative impact on you. Keep their smoking out of the home, and to have them shower and put on fresh clothing when they come home. The smoke clings to the clothing, and will just irritate your lungs more.

Was it clearly determined that it was bacterial and not viral? Antibiotics have no effect on the viral infections, and often are of little help on the bacterial infections..adding to the frustration.

If you also have asthma, that just complicates things more, as we are now in the tree pollen season, and, depending where you live, mold counts are also high. This further aggravates the situation.

Are you being treated by a generalist, or a pulmonary specialist? If a general practitioner, were you sent for a specialist consult? If not, it would be a good idea to get that perspective.

I'm glad I had the infection from the perspective that I can relate to what you are going through, not that I ever want to go through it again. Just hang in there, get a second opinion if you haven't already done so, and remember that this will pass. I feel your pain and frustration, and it brings me back to a place that I never want to visit again.

Sincerely,

Marc