Continuous Illness

[escape_thereal_world]

The last four months, I've been at the doctor almost every week. It started in late October '15. I had a sinus infection. It didn't react to three antibiotics or decongestants. Finally given a Z-pack, Prednisone, and Allegra with Sudafed in it.

I had this about six weeks before those meds were prescribed. Well a week later, it went to my chest. I developed Bronchitis. Another week, I deveopled Pneumonia in my left lung. It looked like it just started, so we caught it early. Given a more powerful antibiotic and more pred.

I had bronchitis up until January. It was all finally getting better. January 25, I came down with a fever. It was a cold. Mu uvula swelled up. Went to urgent care. Told I had pneumonia in my left lung and it was full and I had a sore throat with uvulitis.

Last week, went to doc. Have pneumonia still and now bronchitis again.

I've asked them multiple times why I keep getting sick but all they can say is that it must be the weather. Every winter I get bronchitis. But this year I've had it four times and pneumonia three times in my left lung.

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or ways to prevent this from happening. Also any tips for coughing would be great/

[Celyn]

Hey there,

I've never had pneumonia but I've heard that it's extremely draining and takes ages (maybe even months) to get better. I'm so sorry you have this.

My longest illnesses or the times where I didn't react to antibiotics have often been because I felt stressed or depressed. When we feel this way, our immune systems are weaker and it makes us more vulnerable to illnesses and takes us longer to get better. I think trying to lessen any stress that you have, get plenty of rest, and stock up on vitamins might help in trying to prevent it in the future.

I'm not sure about coughing, but another way of decongesting is to carefully fill a bowl with boiling water (so there's steam), maybe add a few drops of lemon, and breathe in the steam. Best to do this really close to the bowl with a towel draped over you and the bowl so it traps all the heat in.

Hope this helped a bit and hope you get better soon!

[MsNobleEleanor]

Hey there,

When I was a teenager I was hospitalized from pneumonia. I also had asthma. When it was repeated the doctor gave me this new puffer steroid. It really helped.

Do you know if you have asthma? If you do its worth a try to ask about a medication called, "symbacort" it's a inhaler that helps your airways. This helped me and my pneumonia did go away, I might have had it once after. Symbacort isn't like the other medications for asthma, it keeps the airways open, helps break down mucus and allows more airflow. The medication stays in your body longer than normal puffers. If you don't have asthma ask to be tested.

Holly gave great suggestions on using steam and lemon.

I'm not sure if you are able to receive IV treatment in the hospital, it's more effective than pills. You would have fluids all the time and medication through IVs plus pill treatment. The infection gets better quicker and you can also see a respiratory therapist. I'm not sure if you have coverage but it's something to ask for. You've had it come back a few times.

I hope you start to feel better soon.