Lingering chest pain

Very healthy 48 y.o. female;I caught bronchitus (bronchitis) Dec. 20 and coughed almost continually until Jan. 1.  A chest xray ruled out pneumonia. My coughing has stopped, and my enegy levels have returned. I am, however, experiencing continual bilateral chest pain. Is it normal for this type of pain to linger this long? Thank you

[National Jewish]

Your chest pain is most likely due to muscles that are sore from coughing.  This pain will gradually improve, but often lingers for months.

[Diane-K]

I had chest pain really bad, in a similar fashion.  It hurt to laugh or take a deep breath, in fact, taking a deep breath was difficult.  When it didn't get better after a week, I went to my GP. The doc said that the lining of my lung was inflammed.  He put me on a steroid dosepak and it was gone by the end of that treatment.  In my case, night time asthma brought it on.

[Tiz]

I read that after bronchitis or other lung infections you can get RAD (reactive airways disease) which is an inflammation of the lungs and that even tho the infection is cured there can be pain in the lungs for up to 6 months afterwards.

[Rivka]

cONTINUATION OF STORY:
Word from doctor is that I should take Advil around the clock which will reduce inflammation of the muscles and relief the pain. I have been on it 2 days, and I have had some relief; I guess it will take a great deal more time.

[Diane-K]

It makes sense.  I forget about non-steroidals because I'm allergic to them and cannot take any.  Therefore, steroids are the only choice for me in eliminating such inflammation.