Pneumonia with asthma?

[lynn60585]

After I returned home from trip to USA 2 mos ago, both my daughter and I developed a cough. After a 2 weeks we both saw dr - diagnosis bronchitis. I was given a mucolitic and told to see my own dr. He gave me claritromicin and cortisone for a week. Felt better but still coughed. few days later high fever- wound up in emergency room. Chest xray- diagnosis retro-cardiac pneumonia. Hospitalized- given IV ceftriaxone and cortisone by mouth. After a week blood work improved. Cough much the same. Sent home to continue amoxicillin and cortisone by mouth and three different broncodilators/cortisone by nebulizer. After a week slight fever, cough same still green mucous. Dr. adds levofloxacin. after 2-3days feel somewhat better- mucous - green. still coughing but now + sensation of lungs sticking together. See lung specialist- talks about asthma- wants me to continue cortisone for 20 days, ciprofloxacin for 10 and budesonide/formoterol inhaled powder. Should I continue this stuff? when will I get better? Have I developed asthma from the pneumonia? I breathe better after the inhalation but still have gurgling when I take a deep breath. Help! Am very tired of coughing (almost two months).

[Victoireh]

Sorry, but these types of things don't clear up fast, especially if there is underlying lung disease. You still have a lot of fluids/mucous in your lungs by the sounds of it. I would say as an asthmatic myself that it is best to follow doctor's orders. Stay on the medicines till you're better. You don't want a relapse or to take even longer yet to heal. Once, your lungs have cleared up, your doctor will start weaning you off all of the drugs. If you do have asthma, you might need to stay on one or two inhalers. The lung specialist can do more tests later on, such as a pulmonary function test to see how your lungs are performing and decide on the course of treatment.

Yes, I've been there too where the coughing lasted months, so you certainly have to learn some patience in that regard, till the lungs are healed up.