Is it bronchitis or pneumonia or what?

Question

I went to the doctor on Thursday, I had bronchitis and was given antibiotics that I have taken every day since then. I am feeling better but my cough is not getting any better. It is hard to breathe, my cough is non productive and it is giving me pain in my chest.

I am wheezing very badly, having chest pain, sore throat and it is very hard for me to cough

do i need to go into the er or can it wait till morning?

Answer 1

thats bronchitis

Answer 2

I have had bronchitis on and off since I was 6 wks old. I actually coughed so hard that by the time I was 8 wks old I had a hyrnia (thanks mom and dad for chain smoking around me). I have had it so bad before that I woke in the middle of the night because I was suffocating on the fluid in my lungs. I was so scared cause I literally was getting NO air, I thought I was going to die.

Everytime I get this it lasts forever and I know exactly what you mean. I think it can turn into pneumonia tho. I think that may have happened to me that time I mentioned above. It has only been a few days but maybe call your dr and ask if he can do anything about the congestion. Tell him how you feel and ask if it is normal or what. I really feel for ya and I know how horrible it is so I hope you get better soon.

If you really feel like you are too scared to go to sleep for fear of not being able to breathe then go to the ER but I think you can just sleep sitting up with pillows and be ok.

Answer 3

Sounds like bronchitis. But I would call your doctor ...I had a very similar issue recently and was given antibiotics, but I would still cough so hard and non-productively I almost passed out (I was even wheezing)! My doc gave me a new prescription (new antibiotic), and I felt better with my cough after about 5 days. You might just need a more broad spectrum antibiotic. Another option is to try Mucinex...it is over the counter, and helps to make your cough more productive. Maybe try that for a couple days, but if it worsens or doesn't get better, call the Doc! Hope you feel better!

Answer 4

I once suffered from Chronic Bronchitis. I would suffer sometimes 3 to 4 times per year! Usually when there was a major change in the pressure outside (I live in the north, and the temperature spikes and dips do wonders to chronic sufferers of bronchitis!). Each time I would get horrible hacking coughs, hoarking up green phlegm..it was so frustrating!

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Answer 5

is it phlegm or sputum? phlem comes out of your nose and throat, sputum is coughed up, usually in a greyish-green wad and is often cold to the touch. if it's phlegm it's not a lung problem, it has to be sputum to be bronchitis or pneumonia. and also, bronchitis often preceeds pneumonia, bronchitis is in the top of the lungs, pneumonia is in the bottom and is much more dangerous. i worked with a girl who ignored it and then laid down to go to sleep and died. if it doesn't get better within 10 days-2 weeks get antibiotics because it's probably bacterial. before that it's most likely viral and antibiotics won't do a damn thing for you.

Answer 6

Wait 4 of 5 days, it takes 4 or 5 days for the anti-biotics to clear up bronchitis. If it doesn't get better after 7 days, go back to the doctor.

Answer 7

You are on the correct medications. I and sure that the pain in you chest is because you have been coughing so much and your muscles are tired. You will be fine till the a.m. You should have a good cough in the morning and it should be productive. Try and stay away from smoke, perfumes and fresh flowering plants. Eat well to keep you strength up.

Answer 8

do you have a fever? because that would indicate that you have an infection. if you have pneumonia -- you would probably cough out purulent secretions that are yellow or green in color.

bronchitis however is inflamation of the bronchioles. but when you mentioned that you have a sore throat -- something tells me that the area of the inflammation COULD (not necessarily) be found in the upper respiratory tract. it's really hard to tell -- it could be anything, from bronchitis to laryngitis to anything. the only way to find out is to have tested. if you think that your doctor is not providing enough care that you need, seek second opinion.

Answer 9

Sometimes it takes a while for you to heal. If you got it last Thursday, then it's nothing irregular, because it's only been three or four days. Take it slow, and around a week and a half point on the meds, check yourself to see your progress. If your still AS BAD as you felt when you got the meds, talk to your doctor, because the medicine might not be working, or it could be worsening the bronchitis.

Answer 10

If you still feel this way, after being on the antibiotic. I would say you have viral pneumonia. Antibiotics would only wipe out bacterial pneumonia. I think it is time for another trip to the doctor. Good luck and feel better!

Answer 11

You have pneumonia when you have to srain to cough, if you lay down to sleep you can't breath and need extra pillows to prop you up when you sleep.

You might want to get a perscription from the doc for a puffer, so you will be able to cough out the infection.