Question:
I had a bout of bronchitis last November and again this summer...

And while I don't usually cough, occasionally I do have a slight wheeze when I breathe. I still have my inhaler from this summer so I will take a couple quick hits on it and move on. Well, ever since my PFT yesterday I can't seem to get a regular breath. Every breath has a wheeze. I did well on the PFT, but should I tell me surgeon about my breathing? My surgery date isn't until December, but I'm afraid this occasional wheezing might have some serious effect on my surgery. BTW, I'm not short of breath, it just annoys me to hear and feel the wheeze when I breathe. Thanks for your help!!    — Pamela P. (posted on October 25, 2001)

October 25, 2001
Sounds to me you might have seasonal allergies that are making your airways tighten up. I have the same exact thing with the change of seasons, although I do have asthma. You might just tell you doctor that you have allergies and leave it at that. Your anethesiologis will need to know this as well so he can look for signs of closing airways during surgery.
   — Kendra A.

October 25, 2001
I don't know what your inhaller is, but when I get bronchitis I cough till I actually throw up. And I really wheeze. I've found that "albuteral" (spelling?) works wonders. Once I can stop the wheezeing the cough usually goes too.
   — Danmark

October 25, 2001
Try talking to your PCP about it, get it diagnosed, like the former poster said, it sounds like seasonal alergies (often called simply "bronchitis" until the pattern comes up - as your's seems to be doing) Discuss this with your PCP, seasonal allergies should not affect your surgery, but once you have a deffinate diagnosis explain it to your surgeon, making him aware of the problems should be workable, and for allergies and such it's just a matter of making your anesthesiologist aware of it, perhaps a visit to a pulmonologist (just in case they need a specialist s/he will have already seen you) and possibly adjusting your medications before you go into surgery, they will let you know.. I've been through it with mine, I was scared to death because this is my "season" and they are both "working around" it... Good luck..
   — Elizabeth D.

October 25, 2001
I have just gotten back to work from being of with bronchitis. I suggest to see your doctor. Your lungs need to be clear and healthy to have this surgery. The longer you put off seeing your doctor, the longer it may take to clear up the wheezing. Good luck
   — Jackie E.