'Just a cold'? No, it's worse than that

[melchar]

I've been suffering from a cold since just past Christmas. It's gotten worse, despite hot soup, tea and care.

5 days ago, on Wednesday, at 7-8am I had a terrible coughing fit that made some muscles in my side feel like I was being knifed there. My Sweetie convinced me to go to the emergency room. About 4 hours later, I had been examined, poked, X-rayed and diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia. I was given 2 different antibiotics [Amoxicillin & Azithromyci] as a 5-day course that ended today.

I was also given 3 other drugs: Prednisone - a corticosteroid medication - for the inflammation, an albuterol inhaler & benzonatate gels to ease coughing. The examining doctor said that I was in really good shape - everything considered - and thus did NOT need to be immediately hospitalized. Back home, I flopped into bed and have been slowly recovering over the last 5 days - seeking to rest between coughing fits.

Currently, I feel SO much better than I did, but am concerned since [a] the antibiotics courses are finished but I am still unwell & [b] - given my typical rate of recovery it is extremely likely that my condition will not improve. Also, why 5 days now, when the 'norm' used to be 10-14 days of medication? The probability of relapsing and feeling worse again just depresses me.

Comments

[cupcake_goth]

Hey, medications twin!

My doctor said they regularly prescribe much shorter periods of antibiotics because (as heavenscalyx said) the medical profession is trying to be more careful about antibiotic resistance. But absolutely be aware of how you're feeling and ping the doctor if needed.

Also, as someone who is recuperating from bronchitis, rest more than you think you need, and use the inhaler. Don't wait until you feel really wheezy, use the inhaler as soon as you notice tightness when you breathe.

[heavenscalyx]

I can second the inhaler part, as a person with asthma who goes directly to bronchitis with any upper respiratory illness, do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Think of staying ahead of it as one stays ahead of post-surgical pain.

[melchar]

Bronchitis is NO fun at all. Dancing with pneumonia is even worse, due to gunk in the lungs. My sinuses going into overdrive to make ALL the MUCUS just makes things ... nasty. ^_^ I am being EVER so careful right now. Thank you!

[melchar]

Absolutely! There are times to hold back on a medication that can cause one's heart to race, but in my current circumstances, taking the higher dosage of Albuterol is entirely warranted!