Not sure either, but have always heard with x-rays - so found this link: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/pneumonia-symptoms
When mine get bad typically I am x-rayed for pneumonia and have been checked for TB quite a bit in the past. That was until the Dr. got a grip on my alligy issues. My problem is that I keep working and pushing it until it goes into pnumonia.
I have not had blood drawn. Was supposed to this week for my yearly physical, but didn't due to my not feeling well, like to do it when I'm feeling up to par...no xrays either. I'm just going to take the meds, and if I'm not feeling better after a week, will see about xrays. Just wondering how others have dealt with it, and what the xrays show? I will say I'm not pushing myself to the limit, that's for sure, cause I've been too tired. And I don't have a "job", although I am home with the kids, but can at least pace myself, and get them to help me more.
I feel for you DMJ! Last year I had the worst case of bronchitis of my life. Took some serious narcotic cough suppressent before I was finally able to rest, I was coughing day and night. (That was some GOOD stuff!) :lol: I managed to get through Christmas without getting sick this year, thank heavens! It sounds very much like you are having some sort of post-nasal drip going on. I can't remember if you said you'd tried some sudafed or not. It will dry things up if you are drippy. :jester:
No, I don't feel drippy at all (well, this week I do, but like I said, I now i have a cold on top of it, but that' new). Before that, there's been nothing coming out of nose, mouth, nothing. And even now, what's coming is clear, and not much of it. I don't know, you've all suggested so much, wouldn't even know where to start! Like I said before, gonna just stick with the meds for now, and see what happens. If nothing happens, I will definitely go back and do xrays and blood work and move on to next step. I don't know if it's the meds working so quickly (doubt it) but my cough seems to be dryer today for some reason, and I'm also very hungry and thirsty.
The only way I've ever been checked for it is with an xray. I've had no fever or anything either, just the cough and when I do cough, omg my chest hurts and I can't catch my breath.
OK. I wanted to update anyone who cares, and see how everyone else on here's doing that was complaining of a cough... My cough has not gotten any better. At all. Period. I finished my zithromax on Saturday, and will finish my prednisone tomorrow (no crazy side effects, thank God!) Now, all you smarty pants out there, here are some things I have discovered the past week: I worked out on the eliptical for 40 minutes the other day at the gym, and didn't cough once, no breathing problems either. I have been cleaning my house like a mad woman to get all the dust out, cleaned/changed all air filters, vacuumed the carpet in my room, most of the house is hardwood, and there wasn't that much dust to begin with. We had a get-together Saturday night, and that must have stirred something up, because Sunday morning I started hacking like an 80 year old life-time chain smoker, and I never cough that much in the morning. No one had smoked around me, and I didn't do anything different, eat anything different, had 1/2 cup of liquor but that was the only different thing I had...Sunday (yesterday) was the worst day I've had since last weekend. I'm starting to think I'm allergic to my husband! This all started about 2 weeks after we got our cat, so now I'm thinking maybe it is the cat, I don't know, what do you all think? I'm going to call the dr tomorrow, he wanted me to finish the meds first, and tell him I want xrays, and see about allergies/asthma? Also, I cough more in the shower and outside, but it feels better when I cough there, if that makes sense. I know, I'm wierd. CAN ANYONE HELP ME????
I am so sorry you are not feeling better, I am going with allergies to your cat. It seems to be the one thing that has changed, you could see if a friend would keep the cat for a few weeks and do another deep clean and see if the cough goes away if so then you know if not then try something else.
The only thing that doesn't make sense, and I don't know much about this, is when I was in Costa Rica for 5 days last month, I was away from the cat, I was taking allergy meds while I was gone (for other reasons, long story) and I was still coughing like crazy then too. Wouldn't it have gotten better, or would I have had to take the meds longer than that, or been away from the cat longer than that?
maybe the cat dander was on something or your suitcase, I dont know but would for sure go back to the doc or ask for an allergist just to be sure, you don't want to be coughing like that everyday..
I 2nd going to an ear nose and throat doc and getting tested for allergies. and I will still say you need to have blood drawn too. :mrgreen:
Some high blood pressure meds can cause a hacking cough. If this is the case, it should be changed to another medication.
I am so sick of coughing. I am sick of taking meds. I am sick of being sick! Now I am having stomach pains! I can't win! Good way to start the new year!
Nope, not on any blood pressure meds, that was brought up earlier... I will be getting blood drawn this week, now that kids are in school and won't have to drag them with me... Maybe the cat dander was on something...would I have to go to an ENT, allergist, or are they the same thing? It seems my hubby went to an ent to find out what he was allergic to. I know one thing, I can't do that test he did, where they stick 100+ needles in you, I'd pass out after the 3rd one, so I hope there's another way to find out! My mom found out about 6 months ago she has asthma, because she was coughing constantly, but she also was having trouble breathing (I'm not). She lives in NY, has a horrible doctor, and still has not been sent to a pulmonologist, has had not a single xray, nothing, her dr hasn't done a single test, just assumes she has asthma. Anyway, I don't know much about this, but besides the breathing part, she said it sounds the same as her, as far as the getting worse throughout the day, coughing in the shower type of thing. Are allergies/asthma usually related? As in, if you has asthma, do you automatically have allergies? (I know you don't have to have asthma to have allergies) But if you have asthma, do your allergies trigger it? I guess my question is, could I have had asthma, but since I never had a cat, at least not in years, maybe nothing around me has triggered it until now?
I did that test when I was in 5th grade its really not as bad as it sounds you are laying on your stomach and they place a grid on your back then the ***** you with a straight pin, so its not like a big needle. But they can be related, I would for sure get checked out and get what ever it is under control. GL
Thanks. And would that be an ENT or an allergist, or can either one do it? I want to know what I'm talking about when I go to my doctor. Should I ask to see a pulmonologist? Or would that depend on xrays, or do I even need xrays, you think? Every time he's listened to my lungs they sound clear, but some people have suggested I get them done anyway, not sure why.
I would ask your dr for recommendations and a referral. Ask which one he would suggest first or if they can both do the same they should be able to tell you that much. If your lungs are clear I dont know why you would need an xray.. but like I said your doc may can give you more answers than me I only play a doc on 4042 :jester:
