Comment from: 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: January 21
I have had bronchitis three times in my life, twice in the last two years. The last two bouts began right before Thanksgiving and lasted until New Year's (about six weeks). This seems consistent with what I have read. ("Acute" bronchitis can last up to six weeks ...) I got better as the weeks progressed, but it took me about six weeks to get fully "well." Things that I found helpful were: Mucinex, drinking a "healthy" amount (about two liters for me) of water, and an albuterol inhaler. I have been prescribed codeine and Tessalon Perles, but these have not worked for me. The Mucinex (which is OTC) seemed to thin the mucus and decrease the coughing. Drinking water also helped. It seemed to make my cough more wet/productive (which may not seem desirable), but it also seemed to decrease the frequency and extent of my coughing fits, especially those dry ones that just won't end! My doctor prescribed the albuterol inhaler (often used for asthma) when I went to see him about the bronchitis. It seemed to help me breathe and decrease my coughing somewhat. One final note: My brother swears by Celestial Seasonings Echinacea wellness tea with a spoonful of honey. I didn't find out about this until my last bout was almost over, so I can't really comment. But he says this helps him when he has respiratory infections.
When I had bronchitis, I couldn't stop coughing and was unable to sleep more than two hours at a time, even with sleeping aids. I put hand towels in my dryer at moderately high heat and then wrapped a towel against my chest (over my top) and zipped up in my down vest. I wrapped another dryer-warm towel loosely around my neck and covered my ears with the warm cloth. The warmth felt wonderful but what was more important was that the coughing stopped almost immediately. I think the warmth helped my lungs to expand. The towel in the vest will stay warm for a long time; repeat as desired.
I currently have bronchitis and pneumonia. I developed these after I was ill (originally with strep) a few weeks ago. I feel slightly more tired than normal and am much more easily exhausted. I have a hacking cough, but medications have greatly diminished the number of coughing fits. I have just finished my Z-pack and still have several days' worth of albuterol. I really dislike the jittering caused by the albuterol. Other than the lethargy and the occasional cough, I feel pretty good.
Comment from: Soma108, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: October 07
I had viral bronchitis for more than two months. This was several years ago. I feel as if I may get a bout of it since I have been coughing for two weeks. If the cough doesn't go away by next week, I am going to the doctor. When I had viral bronchitis, I first had a dry cough and an upset stomach. I also had some fever symptoms, but mostly my asthma kicked in. I was on two inhalers, prednisone, an antibiotic, Singular and a cough medicine, and Z-pack. I was in the emergency room at least four times because I couldn't breath, and my asthma was so bad I had to be put on a breathing machine. Then at the tail end, I had a bad cold, and when I coughed, I pulled a muscle near my lungs. It felt as if I had been stabbed.
I mostly stopped working and tried to work a little here and there. I slept a lot. One time, I went to bed at 8 p.m. and woke up at 1 p.m. the next afternoon. I was exhausted and thought I would never get over it. Finally I did. Please go to the doctor if you are continuously sick or coughing.
Comment from: shazaam, 45-54 Male (Patient)Published: September 26
I am also a bronchitis survivor. I seem to get it at least twice a year, but I never seem to go to the doctor in time. I work as a pharmacy tech, so we tend to try to self heal first! By the time I seek a doctor's appointment the mucous is nice and chunky and green (that is if it comes up) and you just feel your chest tightening up. Mine usually starts with sneezing fits and watery eyes (which I brush off as seasonal allergies) then goes to the chest. Doctors usually give me a broad spectrum antibiotic (Z-pak Biaxin Levaquin or Avelox) and something to suppress the tight cough-Tessalon caps. I also use Mucinex (or a cheap store brand) and take 1 & 1/2 tabs (600mg) twice a day to move the mucous along. Drink lots of fluids really keep a water etc bottle with you and sip a lot and yes tea w/honey and I found Chloraseptic drops really numb up the old throat before sleeping. The doctor suggests a humidifier or vaporizer (whatever you have) I use it before I go to bed because I can't stand the noise all night, .at work I slap a Thera-flu vaporizing patch on the inside of my shirt so it sits on your chest...amazing! (Yea it smells a little like the old mom cure of Vapo-rub, but hey it helps also at night!). I am curious if anyone else out there has heard any relation to not ever having your tonsils out as an irritant. I once years ago had a questionable doc (and I use that loosely) say if I kept getting it I may need to think about getting my tonsils out? I am well in my 40's not thinking I want to go there. Considering seeing an ENT doc.
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I have had bronchitis three times in my life, twice in the last two years. The last two bouts began right before Thanksgiving and lasted until New Year's (about six weeks). This seems consistent with what I have read. ("Acute" bronchitis can last up to six weeks ...) I got better as the weeks progressed, but it took me about six weeks to get fully "well." Things that I found helpful were: Mucinex, drinking a "healthy" amount (about two liters for me) of water, and an albuterol inhaler. I have been prescribed codeine and Tessalon Perles, but these have not worked for me. The Mucinex (which is OTC) seemed to thin the mucus and decrease the coughing. Drinking water also helped. It seemed to make my cough more wet/productive (which may not seem desirable), but it also seemed to decrease the frequency and extent of my coughing fits, especially those dry ones that just won't end! My doctor prescribed the albuterol inhaler (often used for asthma) when I went to see him about the bronchitis. It seemed to help me breathe and decrease my coughing somewhat. One final note: My brother swears by Celestial Seasonings Echinacea wellness tea with a spoonful of honey. I didn't find out about this until my last bout was almost over, so I can't really comment. But he says this helps him when he has respiratory infections.
Related Reading: albuterol | codeine | asthma