I have had an respiratory track infection (bronchitis) since January of this year...

[Mechanicaltype]

I got a very slight/mild respiratory track infection in January of this year, and have not been able to cure it.  I went to the doctor after fighting it for 4 months, and he gave me a round of antibiotics, and then I went back a couple of weeks later, to get another round because I still had it.  After two rounds, I was still experiencing symptoms, and the third time I went back, he referred me to a specialist.  I never did see the specialist (the doctor wanted to rule out disease, of which I am certain it is NOT related to) before treating me again.  I drink a lot of alcohol, and I suspect that this may have a negative effect on the antibiotics, but the doctor didn't seem to worry about it too much.  I really want to get rid of this thing before winter comes up and I get sick for real, and this infection lapses into pnuemonia.  Here is an xray of my chest taken about 4 months ago. I routinely have to work very strenuously and have very odd sleeping habits due to work.

Note that the xray also shows a messed up collarbone, but that is not the subject of this query.

What should I do?

thanks,

upset over bronchitis

[Victoireh]

Oh another thing, with working in a dusty environment. Do you take safety precautions, such as wearing a dust mask? You can get permanent lung conditions from chronic exposure to irritants to the lungs. Some people develop what they call Farmer's lung. I'm assuming the name is because it first first noted in farmer's and their exposure to moldy hay. But there are other irritants that can cause this condition, especially if you take no safety precautions and continue the exposure over many years.

[Victoireh]

You mention it's episodic. Have you had pulmonary function tests? Maybe it's asthma. I find if my asthma is out of control, I can walk around the whole day with shortness of breath, particularly when doing physical things, like climbing stairs. Is your breathing worse at night? I also have a mucous cough, just one of those asthmatics who do. But the throat clearing is usually due to post nasal drip or GERD (stomach contents that are aspirated to your throat will do that). Both can cause problems to the lungs and cause shortness of breath and cough. You should go for further tests to determine what is irritating your throat/lungs.

You could always ask for advise from the doctor's forum. But I'm sure they will say the same thing and possibly have a few more ideas for you.

[Mechanicaltype]

This site is just for regular members,-not sure what you mean by this.



I don't smoke, but I have the same slightly wet cough, throat clearing that I've had since Jan.  Both docs said I had a respiratory track infection, and that it was mild.  I work in a very dusty environment and that probably contributes to the problem.

The reason that I think it is an infection (bacterial) is because it ebbs and flows with my physical condition.  If I am run down and in poor (relatively) shape it will become much more pronounced and the cough will get much worse.  If I'm getting plenty of sleep and eating well, it almost completely subsides.  I just can't get it to go away and stay away.  The last time I felt like this was 18 years ago when I was in high school, always feeling run down from basketball practice and not eating enough.

thanks for the reply.

[Victoireh]

This site is just for regular members, so I can't give you a diagnosis. Repeat boughts of bronchitis or bronchitis that doesn't clear up often leads to asthma. Although there are some unfortunate souls who have a cough after their bronchitis that takes up to 3 months to go. Antibiotics only work if there is a bacterial infection. You need a temperature. Or at least green mucous coming out of your chest. Is your cough dry or wet? Do you have shortness of breath, especially during exertion? Do you wheeze? Some people with asthma don't wheeze, especially if it's mild. They just have a cough. I don't think you have an infection anymore. Bronchitis doesn't last that long. Unless you are a smoker and have "chronic bronchitis".