I have been coughing since the beginning of September...been to the DR. 5 times..first z PAC -bronchitis diagnosis- no better....10 days later worse with a night of drenching sweats..pneumonia diagnosis with no X-ray. Cephlaxin and inhalers ...started to get better but then started to cough up discolored mucus again. This time another round of Cephlaxin and Pregnisone with in a couple of days I was much worse with deep spasmatic bronchial cough and heart palpitations- back to the doctor- did a breathing treatment- still very deep racking cough- wheezing- trouble breathing after going up stairs. Have an appointment with a Advair pulmonologist in a week ...they gave me a script for a nebulizer at home...also prescribed symicort instead of Advair which I had been on. I want to rule out the most serious issues first...which tests to you recommend?
Hello, By your history and description, possibility of bronchitis is more likely. But better to get done chest x-ray again to rule out worsening of pneumonia. If chest x-ray is normal then get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). PFT will not only diagnose bronchitis, but it will also tell you about the severity of the disease and treatment is based on severity only. You may need longer acting inhaled bronchodilators (indacaterol and glycopyronium). So get done chest x-ray and PFT. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.