Quote from byrdwoman:

I been to the doctors 2 x's this week. Im so frustrated. I feel like im not getting any air at times. Then i panic. I have been asthmatic for 30yrs. On theodur,advair 500/50 daily. Now that i got this cold i have been started out at 120 mg from one er doc. I seen my allergist today and he doesn't believe in big burst of predinisone. My peeks are running 250-300 (not to bad). Some wheezing in the left lobe. My conjestion is in my chest and IT HURTS. It feels tight as a drum. Had xrays they were clear. and thats where it is out Now im also on 2 antibotics zithromax and septra. Zithromax i was started on a few days ago. The asthma doc isn't sure whether the zithromax is working, but wants me to stay on it with the septra. I need some advice on how i can get some relief of what feels like a inflamed bronchial tube in my chest. .I feel like im pushing air. I got a croopy cough that sometimes brings up green and yellow mucus. The taste is awful. The doctor also prescribed the mucus thinning med starts with a gul.. and a gel pill for the cough. Its been about 4 days and still battling. If anyone can help this lifetime asthmatic that has tried everything to get out of this hell. If you have any advice on what i can take to lighten the load in my chest and get that feeling breathing normally. Im sure someone out there that has this happened to them. It would be nice take anything that will relief this tiring run. Thanks to all that take the time.

So sorry you are feeling so badly. Everything you describe sounds appropriate (except the 120mg pred...I agree with your allergist and personally don't think you will get any more benefit from 120mg than 60mg but what do I know). Are you taking albuterol by nebulizer? If not, that might make a big difference. I know when I've got bad bronchitis, it will open my airway AND break up a little mucus that I can cough up within the first 30min of dosing. Mucus thinner is probably guifanesin, which is the main ingredient in robitussin, et al. I sometimes get liquid guif with hydrocodone in it, which dulls the pain but it's up to your doc. (the hydrocodone may not mix well with the theodur--I don't take any theophylline meds any more). Coughing is a good thing, although it's tiring and can certainly make your rib cage hurt.

Good luck. Let us know how you are doing in a couple of days!