Anybody suffer from Bronchitis?

['The Gaffer']

Anybody suffer from Bronchitis? I didn't till recently then it hit me full on.

Cough like you have never felt, all night and all day

Saving grace was after giving anti biotics a go to no effect I was prescribed some steroids, cough stopped same day but can I sleep? NO.

[Richardp]

No can't say I have, but it doesn't sound good.

I hope that things settle down soon.

[Krazyken]

Yes I had a cold leading up to Easter, which wentr to bronchitis over Easter which prevented me from going to the WSM event.  Bronchitis is a bacteria infection which affects the bronchial tube between your throat and lungs.  Like any bacteria infection it is not pleasant but is usually treated with penicillin or anti biotics.

I had a reaction to the first lost of anti biotics they gave me but Clarithromicin did the trick, still leaves you feeling week though.

[Quarrycars]

Yea, I had a bronchial problem over 20 years ago while living in California, after a cold or flu I would get a violent cough that wouldn't go away, coughing so hard that I would get dizzy.
After the expensive antibiotics stopped working I was referred to a pulmonary specialist who said that I had probably developed and allergy to smog.
He suggested I try a change in diet, use pepper in any form, chew on peppercorns, drink Tabasco mixed with water etc, he said alcohol spirit is good, not beer and wine which tend to make you more congested.  I told him I had been drinking a very large scotch before bed and sleeping OK, I thought I was just knocking myself out with the booze but the doc said that the alcohol opens up the bronchial tubes.
I figured any doc that told me to eat spicy food and drink scotch was OK with me, the downside was to stay clear of dairy products, milk and cheese etc.
Had no problems since, if I start getting 'chesty' I cut back on the fats and start drinking hot sauce and water (and scotch!) I also usually have some cayenne  capsules handy.
The doctor was Indian so I asked if curry had the same effect, he said no - it is particularly pepper that has the effect on the bronchial system.

['The Gaffer']

Hmm, some interesting stuff there. Shame about wine causing congestion - A small glass of wine is my only vice these days

Anyway, after a course of pretty strong steroids things have cleared up to the extent I haven't coughed for a couple of days. Relief is an understatement.

[7builder]

I suffered with bronchitis about 10 years ago and couldn't shift it for over 2 months. The mornings were the worst for me, I would cough so much I would be gasping for air. It was very distressing and I would hack up dockyard oysters the size of a dinner plate. Steroids helped me in the end and I was also prescribed a cayenne pepper based cough syrup that I had to stir into a cup of boiling water, when swallowed it was like a hand grenade going off in your innards but really helped. I was a smoker at the time so that was probably why I had it so bad. I found that sleeping (or trying to) propped up in bed helped with the breathing and keeping the morning "oysters" to a minimum.

['The Gaffer']

I suffered with bronchitis about 10 years ago and couldn't shift it for over 2 months. The mornings were the worst for me, I would cough so much I would be gasping for air. It was very distressing and I would hack up dockyard oysters the size of a dinner plate. Steroids helped me in the end and I was also prescribed a cayenne pepper based cough syrup that I had to stir into a cup of boiling water, when swallowed it was like a hand grenade going off in your innards but really helped. I was a smoker at the time so that was probably why I had it so bad. I found that sleeping (or trying to) propped up in bed helped with the breathing and keeping the morning "oysters" to a minimum.

You were lucky, I think the biggest problem is - I've never coughed anything up, EVER And yes agreed, mornings are / were bad.

[7builder]

Hi Gaffer, I was warned by my doctor that bronchitis can cause scarring that leaves you vulnerable to more attacks in the future. I've had a few colds turn chesty but sleeping propped upright seemed to work for me. Giving up smoking would have helped as well.  I hope you get sorted soon and you see the back of it for good.

['The Gaffer']

Hi Gaffer, I was warned by my doctor that bronchitis can cause scarring that leaves you vulnerable to more attacks in the future. I've had a few colds turn chesty but sleeping propped upright seemed to work for me. Giving up smoking would have helped as well.  I hope you get sorted soon and you see the back of it for good.

Most of my colds have always ended up on my chest, but I have to say that this time steroids were the miracle cure. Funnily enough, I gave up smoking years ago but have suffered more with my health since giving up

Wishing you all the best too.