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Lung Infection, Asthmatic Symptoms, Thick Sputum Cough. Taken Biaxin, Prednisone, Symbacort, Ventalin. No Relief. Treatment?
I am 63 years of age, arrived back in Canada from Fla in Feb 2012 with what the Dr. called a lung infection . Placed on biacin for 2 wks, and prednisone for 2 weeks, c/w inhalers. April 30, same infection occurred - asthma like symptoms. Same course of meds. Now July 25th, same symptoms, on Symbacort and Ventalin. Coughing thick sputum . Short of breath almost all day, but especially in mornings until noon. Not sure what next step should be..................please comment.
posted on
Sat, 28 Jul 2012
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 28 Aug 2012
Answered on
Wed, 29 Aug 2012
Last reviewed on
Your symptoms seem to be persisting despite treatment. First and fore most you have to take your inhalers very religiously, atleast 2 puffs 2 to 3 times a day. You may change your inhaler to seretide500 accuhaler. Take nebulization with duolin and budecort 2 to 3 times a day and take tablet doxyphyllin400 twice a day along with montair lc once a day. If you are a smoker, pl quit it. If you have acid reflux, pl get it treatyed. If no improvement, go in for a CT Chest.
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Hi
The fact the doctor placed you on courses of prednisolone and inhalors for these infections indicate that there is a reactive airway component to the infections. In some cases of pneumonia only antibiotic therapy is needed, however is the the airways are hyperresponisve and there is associated increased mucus production and closure of the airways then prednisolone and inhalors may be needed.
To improve your symptoms you would need to eliminate the factors that could aggravate the asthma or reactive airway such as (1)smoking or exposure, if possible, to second hand smoke (2) treat any associated allergic rhinitis or sinusitis, determine if there are any specific allergens that you can identify that trigger a response (3) treat any associated GERD
Remember to use the preventer inhalor daily as prescribed, it will help reduce your symptoms and carry the ventolin with you always in case of an attack.
You may need a mucolytic to help break up the mucus and allow for easier expulsion. Drinking alot of water is also recommended to reduce the thickness of the mucus.
I hope this helps and I hope that you feel better soon
The fact the doctor placed you on courses of prednisolone and inhalors for these infections indicate that there is a reactive airway component to the infections. In some cases of pneumonia only antibiotic therapy is needed, however is the the airways are hyperresponisve and there is associated increased mucus production and closure of the airways then prednisolone and inhalors may be needed.
To improve your symptoms you would need to eliminate the factors that could aggravate the asthma or reactive airway such as (1)smoking or exposure, if possible, to second hand smoke (2) treat any associated allergic rhinitis or sinusitis, determine if there are any specific allergens that you can identify that trigger a response (3) treat any associated GERD
Remember to use the preventer inhalor daily as prescribed, it will help reduce your symptoms and carry the ventolin with you always in case of an attack.
You may need a mucolytic to help break up the mucus and allow for easier expulsion. Drinking alot of water is also recommended to reduce the thickness of the mucus.
I hope this helps and I hope that you feel better soon
I find this answer helpful
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