Post-Bronchitis, 2 Colds and Syncope: Chest Pain, Indigestion and Slight Cough

[Coffycup]

My insurance has not yet kicked in at work, and the bills are piling up, so any assistance you could give would be wonderful.

Diagnosed with bronchitis the day after Thanksgiving. Doctor prescribed a z-pack, which seemed to be doing the trick.

Caught a cold one week later and felt horrible. Went to the doctor for congestion, pressure on right side of face, diagnosed with "inflamed bronchial tree."

Went to doctor again a week later for chest discomfort, nausea, told by doctor that the symptoms "weren't at the top of her list" because my heart and lungs sounded fine. Was rushed to ER later that day (I passed out at a pharmacy), given an ECG, blood test, urine test. Passed all tests, but was diagnosed with syncope due to many medications and dehydration. Given fluids intravenously.

Back to the doctor, given a peak flow test (which I passed) and prescribed another z-pack to knock out any remaining bronchitis. I was improving, and then I caught yet another cold, accompanied by a very bad cough.

The cough is slight now and seems to be on its way out, but I am
concerned about any prevalent lung damage. I've seen 6 doctors between  November and late December, and none of them gave me a chest x-ray. They all listened to my heart and lungs, said they were clean, but I now have pain in my chest, indigestion, occasional light-headedness/headache and a tingling that extends to my jaw and fingers. No shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Mucus is clear. Ibuprofen seems to help, just started taking it yesterday. I hope you can guide me in the right direction. Thanks

[National Jewish]

You should definitely have a chest x-ray.  Also ask your doctors to explain why you are having recurrent bronchitis.  You may need to have your immune system checked before your doctors can give you this explanation.  If your symptoms do not resolve, you may have to see a pulmonary specialist.

The tingling suggests hyperventilation.  With this problem the breathing gets faster causing the carbon dioxide level to drop.  This could be the cause of your occasional light-headedness, headache, and tingling.

[Coffycup]

The doctor just diagnosed me with an ulcer, so I now know what is wrong. I went on this forum hoping to find help, but I would like to leave a few tips of my own in the spirit of helping someone else who might be experiencing similiar symptoms.

1. Drink PLENTY of water. I was taking drug after drug for two months of bronchitis and cold (got one right after the other), and I didn't drink enough water to compensate for the water that I was losing through medications and being sick. I paid for it - I passed out while in line at the pharmacy and was rushed to the ER with dehydration-related syncope (fainting). The nurse in the ER said that at least 3 bottles of water a day is recommended. At least. By the way, another doctor I'd seen prescribed black tea for my bronchial inflammation, which had a lot of caffeine in it. Unbelievable. Three cups of that tea a day as directed most definitely contributed to my dehydration. Just FYI.

2. Before I fainted, I went to a doctor earlier that morning complaining of nausea. She didn't take my complain seriously, since my heart and lungs were "clean". If this happens to you, INSIST that a nurse take a urine or blood sample. Inquire about the possiblity that you're dehydrated. If she had taken the time to do one or the other, I would have been treated for my dehydration right away. Thanks to her I am too embarrased to ever go into my pharmacy ever again, and I now have over $3,000 in medical bills for the ride in the ambulance and one night in the ER.

3. My chest hurt due to lingering, post-bronchial inflammation, but after feeling more than jaded about doctors altogether, I made the mistake of treating myself with ibuprofen. What's worse, I took it on an empty stomach most of the time. Hence, the ulcer. My advice: inquire about a more gentle yet equally effective means of pain relief, so long as everything checks out alright and your chest pain isn't due to heart issues, etc.

I hope everyone gets the help they need, but mostly, I hope everyone gets better. I know this has been the worst cold/flu season I've ever had in all my 30 years. Good luck to all ;o)

[Coffycup]

I should also add that I am a female, 30, and a non-smoker. I worked out three days a week prior to the bronchitis and am now afraid to do anything strenuous. Again, thanks.