*WARNING: WHINING AHEAD*
Dudes, I'm sicker than I've been in YEARS. This bronchitis is kicking my ass, mopping up the floor with me, then kicking my ass again. My throat hurts; I feel like I've got perpetual heart burn or acid reflux or something (the wise @dashoff mentioned last night that the coughing churns up the stomach acid); my chest/back/stomach ache from the coughing; my head feels like it's going to EXPLODE from the pressure when I have a coughing fit; it feels like I have an elephant sitting on my chest, and cement in my lungs; I can't take deep breaths because it hurts (and makes me cough); I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I was steaming my head this morning and started coughing so hard I threw up. GOOD TIMES. I'm petrified that the antibiotics are going to give me the, uh, runs and that I'll LOSE said antibiotics in an assplosion. (Don't laugh: I've lost many of my time-release antihistamines this way.) I have zero - I mean ze.ro. - energy. I've spent my vacation thus far either in doctors offices or with my ass fused to the couch. Everything is covered in a fine, sticky film of Vick's Vapo-Rub (skin, clothes, bedding... EW).
To my recollection, I haven't had bronchitis as a teen/adult, so I'm completely out of my league. I've been:
- Steaming my head
- Taking hot baths with Epsom salts
- (Trying to) rest
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Using a humidifier
- Lubing myself up with Vick's
- Getting, uh, "out" anything I can cough up
- Using my Neti pot twice a day (mostly to prevent a sinus infection, because that's usually what I get)
- Using my Flonase twice a day
- Taking my antibiotics as prescribed (but only since I got them yesterday, so I'm only two doses in)
Is there anything else I'm missing? Anything I should or shouldn't be doing? I'm particularly perplexed by the whole cough syrup debate - I'm seeing information that says I should try to suppress the cough to give my airways a chance to recover, and information that says I need to cough to get the crap out of my chest (oh, and never mind the research that questions whether cough syrup even WORKS). GAH!
I want a do-over. *pouts*
Oh you poor thing, that sounds AWFUL! It really sounds like you are doing everything I could think of to try, the only thing I can suggest is sleep, sleep, sleep. Maybe prop yourself up on the couch to sleep cause I know laying horizontal when you're that sick probably makes you cough more.
ReplyDeleteSounds horrible, and a lot like what I had when I was back in the UK for my Christmas vacation. Coughing until I threw up was a common thing. At the timeI was worried too because Swine Flu had been going around the school I teach at. Unfortunately there's nothing to do but wait it out (it seemed to stay forever).
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I'll be absolutely no help for advice as I only know (kinda) how to deal with sick toddlers ... but I do hope you get feeling better real soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm tired just reading that. How about adding rest. Time to just lay down and take a nap. I know that's not always possible, but thought I would throw that out there.
ReplyDeleteawwwww i'm soooo sorry you're sick :( i wish my mommy could send you her chicken noodle soup... that's what you're missing... it always makes me feel better... i'll be keeping ya in my prayers
ReplyDeleteLicking the avatars of people you wish sickness on?
ReplyDeleteheh.
So here's my advice. Try probiotics. They might help with the ehm...assplosions. Although sadly those are common when using antibiotics.
ReplyDeleteAs far as cough syrup I say cough your head off during the day. It sucks, it's not comfy and I know it makes you want to lay down and never move again. But you're right, you need to get that stuff out. Just use the cough syrup or something at night so you don't cough your head off all night long and get a some sleep, I mean you need to rest to get better.
Hope you feel better soon and this helps some.
I don't know if cough syrup is a good thing for bronchitis or not - but one that works is Buckleys. Since you're in Canada, you can get your hands on it. Just don't drink anything afterwards! It reduces how well it will work. The taste is horrid - feels like you've swallowed tar-ey Pine Sol, but it does work.
ReplyDeleteI really hope you feel better - the best thing to do is get lots of rest. Rent a season or two of some tv show (Glee is out, I believe) and doze on the couch all day long.
My husband has it too and has had it for over a month now, nothing seems to be getting rid of it.
ReplyDelete