Question:
I have Bronchitis, and am scared.

I am worried this may get worse. I went to my PCP and he put me on anitbiotics. The cough is awful and meds are not working to stop the cough. Can this damage my pouch. I know it was good to cough once an hour in the hospital, but this is just way too much coughing. And it is starting to scare me.    — Wendy G. (posted on March 23, 2002)

March 23, 2002
I am very prone to bronchitus. When I get it I have to go on anit biotics, and get something with codiene in it for the cough. Then I've found I still get in coughing fits that I can not stop even with the codiene! Quite by accident I found that that spasms in my lungs that cause the unstopable coughing can be stopped or GREATLY controled with a spray called "Albuteral" (sp?). I think people with asma might use that but I'm not sure. Seems when I get the uncontrolable cough it gives me a headace and stomachache. Personally I feel it WOULD hurt the pouch, but who am I to be dogmatic about it. But along with the codiene, get the Albuteral inhallant. You put that in your mouth, and deep breath it into your lungs and hold it in as long as you can before expelling air. That is done 2 or 3 times. Because if you can't stop the coughing, one cough will lead to the next and it'll never stop. God bless the Albuteral. I sure wish I knew about it years ago.
   — Danmark

March 23, 2002
I also forgot to mention that around 3-4 years ago I got an phemonia shot. I've only had bronchitus "once since then". And I use to get it and have it all winter. So between the shot, and freqent hand washing, I hardly ever have to go though it anymore.
   — Danmark

March 23, 2002
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU RESPONSES. I WENT TO THE AFTERHOURS CLINC TODAY AND THEY GAVE ME, GUESS WHAT ALBUTEROL! COOL HUH. WELL, LETS SEE IF IT WILL WORK THEY SAID MY CHEST X-RAY IN "HAZY" SO THEY WOULD HAVE A RADIOLOGIST LOOK AT IN ON MONDAY. WE WILL SEE.... THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOU ADVISE.
   — Wendy G.