Is it possible I have Chronic Bronchitis??

[Nickoteen]

Ive had asthma since I was a kid.However for many years I wasnt taking any puffers.When I was around 15 I started smoking weed which turned into a daily habit until I quit just about a month ago.Im now 20.Over the years I smoked weed my chest would always get a bit tight.Turns out Im actually allergic to weed.It makes me sneeze and if I rub it on my skin little bumps appear.This explains why my breathing hasnt been well in the years I smoked weed.

My cough sounds like a violent loud rattle in the front of my chest.However its not something that I HAVE TO DO.Its not a spontaneous irritating cough that I cant control.Its more of a cough I activate and force myself to do to clear my lungs.This rough cough has been with me for awhile now but I do

I have been off my meds for awhile but just started up just over a month ago.My lungs arnt feeling that much better

Is this just my lungs cleaning themselves out with the asthma aswell?Or is it possible to have Chronic Bronchitis without a cough that you cant control??Is it possible to get Chronic Bronchitis in 5 years with a smoke you are allergic to?.It seems the irritation is mainly in the front of my chest.I guess this is where I held most of the marijuana smoke

[National Jewish]

It is not clear from what you have written as to the cause of the coughing you are experiencing.  It could be bronchitis from an infection, chronic bronchitis from smoking daily for 5 years, or an exacerbation of your asthma.  It should be fairly easy for your physician to tell the difference and prescribe accordingly.  You need a good physical examination, probably a lung function tests and possibly a chest x-ray.  I would suggest seeing your physician as the first step.

[tmaurstad]

nick, try doing the Buteyko Breathing exercises, that's what finally got me on the road to recovery with my own respiratory problem. There's a couple of great books by Patrick McKeown, both available on Amazon, "Asthma Free Naturally" and "Close Your Mouth". Close your mouth is basically a mini-version of Asthma-Free, both will tell you how to do the exercises but asthma-free has more history on Prof. Buteyko and the reasoning behind why the exercises work.  You can also find a little info online at these two pages:
http://members.westnet.com.au/pkolb/but_strt.htm
http://www.btinternet.com/~andrew.murphy/asthma_buteyko_shallow_breathing.html

Know this, your body has the innate capacity to heal itself. Give it time and good support. Try to eat well, lots of fruits, veggies, and try to stay away from refined sugar (it's a killer to your immune system). More diet and supplement advice in the Asthma-free book. Good Luck!