First symptoms starting March 1: dry,violent cough,chest tightness,chills,general feeling bad progressing to difficulty breathing in hours. March 2nd began taking 100mg each 12hrs of doxycycline. Next 3 days all symptoms cycled from not as bad to really bad again, and 3rd day added symptoms of upper chest pain down center with 'quarter' sized areas of more intense pain on either side of chest bone, and lots of mucus that wouldn't come up,wheezing.
After 5 days felt getting better, went out for day, by evening as bad as before plus fatique. Continued the doxycycline, vitaimins, rest, but very ill with all symptoms. For first time have head cold symtoms added, and flu feelings,little appetite,dizzy.
Finally went to hospital March 12.Doctor changed meds to amoxycillin 875mg+ciavulanate potassium 125mg each 12hrs & Romilar Expectorant. Did chest x-ray they said showed no damage or pneumonia. Said acute bronchitus,drink lots of warm decaf tea,breathe steam if can't breathe. Still unable to sleep lying down or much at all,coughing,burning in chest,hard to breathe, especially at night & mornings. 3 days later have good day, get around, then hits hard again.
Go back to hospital May 19, same Doctor. Changes meds to 582mg ciprofloxacin HCI every 12hrs + small pill not named for encouraging expectorating/loosening mucus. Again in 3 days feeling a bit better, able to sleep, coughing but getting things up, get up and around, then hits hard again last night. Burning in chest after coughing, and burning spreads from center to both sides and remains burning/tight, but able to breathe better than first 3 weeks. No more head cold or flu like body feelings, but deep wheezing,deep mucus cough,always burning in chest after coughing and lasts for hours if no coughing,difficulty sleeping,hot flashes/chills/sweating,strong fatigue.
I have not had even a cold for over 2 1/2 years, I'm 54, female, smoker (cold turkey quit date april 1 - this is scaring me),good shape/weight. Because of being in middle east now,and because will NOT get better, I fear this is something like anthrax or unusual microbe or something. I never mentioned anthrax to doctor, and have taken advice and meds, but it's not going away, and when comes back as bad after feeling like I'm getting better, I get more concerned about diagnosis. Medical care here isn't good, and Doctor doesn't speak English well either.
Does this sound like acute bronchitus? If anthrax, would it go on this long without having killed me already? I feel like I am fighting it, but it keeps coming back as bad like none of the meds are working, and it's something different than I have ever had.
I am to go back to hospital the 26th, and would appreciate any help with questions, tests, etc to ask the doctor about before I go.
Thank you so very much for any help or advice,
Carlene