2 weeks of hacking up a lung

vrk3ds

Team EN, 
 
I have been struggling now for two weeks with what the doc says has turned into Bronchitus.
I have been taking my prescribed antibiotic Erythromycin 500 mg since Thursday, and per doctors advice, I have been riding the couch basically all week.
 
I can't seem to shake this? I have struggled with Bronchitus in the past, but nothing like this! How long do I continue with prescribed treatment before I go see what mig be going on? This time around, this crap has really kicked my arse. I have NO Energy, can't seem to get rid of the cough, and I doesn't seem to be getting any better?
 
I don't want to be a hypochondriac about this, but also don't want to linger around like a pet!

graham_m_dunn

There are a lot of people where I live (including me) who've had something like that. I was on antibiotics for 10 days, that seemed to knock it back quite a bit, but I'm still not 100% ... I still don't have that extra gear to get to 110-120%, I just feel like lead. It's getting better, slowly, but I'm in week 5. Still, there are some people I've talked to who are in week 8 ... so this is not something that you can fake your way through.

Give the antibiotics a solid week, but if they don't do anything, get back to your doc, my friend here ended up with pneumonia after he delayed and delayed getting it looked at. It's not in your head

vykkio

I'm sorry to hear about your bronchitis. It is absoulutely miserable! I used to get a cold every year that turned into bronchitis that lasted 4-6 weeks. Then a new doctor suggested that it might be triggered by issues with my sinuses. Even though I didn't think I had any sinus problems, I started using Nasonex twice a day and my bronchitis went away.  I have used Nasonex every time I get a cold and have not had bronchitis since. Something worth trying.

chris malone

I've got it too. Lots of folks around here have had or have it. Big time chest congestion and feeling like crapola. Yesterday a 1.5 hr ride at 86% left me really drained. Laying off completely today and sleeping a lot and trying to be patient.
Good luck, Scott.

Shaughn Simmons

Guys, so sorry to hear! Is frustratiing and difficult to stand down when these things come, especially this time of year. My two cents, that I follow, is that if it is only neck up and no fever, I train through it hitting the volumes and adjusting the intensity. If it goes to my chest and / or causes fever, I back off altogether realizing that my body needs everything it has to fight the bug and that exercising might only cause a deeper issue with longer recovery.....



Patience and smart planning here will have you back in no time!



SS

gonnzo

I had something like that too that started in january. Down hard for 4 -5 days, though never with a fever. After that I was mobile, but with a nagging cough that just wouldn't go away. After 2 weeks I went to the doc who said it was bronchitis (no pneumonia) and of uncertain origin, could be viral or bacterial. He gave me antibiotics which I took faithfully (odd for me) but made no difference at all. Since then it's been very slowly getting better and I still can't say it's completely cleared two months later. It doesn't seem to cause much trouble during the workouts, but is annoying much of the rest of the day. Given the season, I can't be sure it hasn't migrated from bronchitis to some sort of allergy issue, though I haven't been too prone to allergies in the past... ?

So in the end I guess it just cleared on it's own. Sorry I can't offer any better information besides to say you're in good company Hope you get better soon!

vrk3ds

Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement!

Went to see my ENT doc yesterday since this has now settled into my ears. Backstory is I have dealt with ear problems since childhood, and have had 2 major surgeries to remove a tumor from my inner ear. Needless to say I don't mess around with anything going on in that area!

Doc had chest x-rays + bloodwork done to check for pnemonia. Thankfully that came back as negative, so he has prescribed a strong antibiotic, clindomycin, a steroid dose pack, and if need flovent. Says after about 48 hrs on the antibiotic I should see major improvement. Hopefully, I will be able get back at it this weekend, or maybe Monday at the latest!

Thanks Again!

bfritton

Had something similar just got done with a week of Clarythrimicin (?) seems like it has cleared up a lot, knock on wood. I took an extra day off and dialed back the intensity. Also, as soon as it started I hit the Mucinex like they were Hershey's Kisses, I swear by Mucinex as soon a a cough starts up. Good luck.