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Suggest Treatment For Chest Pain Along With Shortness Of Breath
Posted on
Sun, 30 Nov 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 30 Nov 2014
Answered on
Wed, 24 Dec 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi -- I saw the doctor on Thursday and began treatment for bronchitis with levaquin (I've had 3 doses). Cough, chest pain and shortness of breath have not improved. Called doctor today and was put on a 12 day tapering course of prednisone (4-4-4-3-3-3...) He said if that didn't help I would probably need to be hospitalized for IV antibiotics and breathing treatments. Tonight started running low grade temp (100.5) with very clammy skin. When I have a coughing fit, I can hardly get my breath and cough is very congested. I was recently diagnosed with asthma and am taking Symbiacort and albuterol inhalers. I also have diabetis (well controlled with metformin and diet). I'm afraid it might be turning into pneumonia. Should I go ahead and go to ER or is it safe to ride it out for another day or two and see if the meds start working? ThanksOh, forgot to say that I've also had diarrhea for 2 days, I assume from the antibiotics. I'm trying to drink lots of water but maybe not enough.
Brief Answer:
If coughing fits are more than 3/hour attend ER
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Your doctor has added steroids today. It takes at least 48 hours for the antibiotics and medicines to show an effect. If the fever is associated with chills rigor and shortness of breath then it is better to attend an ER and get yourself hospitalized. Possibility of pneumonia is present.
Antibiotics are usually associated with diarrhea. You can add probiotics and yogurt to your diet to help it. Take electrolyte rich fluids liberally to combat the fluid loss.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
If coughing fits are more than 3/hour attend ER
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Your doctor has added steroids today. It takes at least 48 hours for the antibiotics and medicines to show an effect. If the fever is associated with chills rigor and shortness of breath then it is better to attend an ER and get yourself hospitalized. Possibility of pneumonia is present.
Antibiotics are usually associated with diarrhea. You can add probiotics and yogurt to your diet to help it. Take electrolyte rich fluids liberally to combat the fluid loss.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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