Ugh!! I'm over the coughing and phlegm!! - Asthma Message Board

celtic_mom · 02-24-2005, 10:28 AM

Please tell me it will end! I don't see my doc for another week and it's driving me crazy. I know I shouldn't complain, because I know so many more people are in worse shape than I am right now, but it just feels like it will never end. After being treated for the infection, I thought the cough was going away until 2 days off prednisone and 7 days off Levaquin I started coughing a lot again and produced green phlegm. My chest also started getting "tight", but not like it was with the asthma attack - this time it seemed harder to breath in than out. I went back on Levaquin and the tightness went away and the phlegm is now clear again, but I keep coughing. I guess I should be grateful I'm able to sleep at night.

Plus my sinuses are completely congested again. How long does it take to shake all the coughing/phlegm after a lung infection? Is this at all normal??

Update: I just had a coughing fit that produced green phlegm again. Could it be that I just have a lot of gunk in my lungs that still needs to be coughed up ? Or does it sound like I need a different antibiotic?

Gal4Dale88USP · 02-24-2005, 12:36 PM

Boy you got me on that one. I know as the winter goes on,,,the more infections I get,,,the longer they take to clear up. I'm still coughing and it's been about 3 weeks for me. However,,,the stuff I'm coughing up is not green any longer. I'd call the doctors office and ask to speak to a nurse,,,they sould be able to give you some guidence.
Hope you feel better soon!
~~Lorrie

celtic_mom · 02-24-2005, 12:49 PM

Thanks for the reply Lorrie. Funny thing is when I had that coughing fit, I really coughed hard and think I cleared stuff really deep down. I've felt pretty good right after that. I'm still coughing, but I'm not nearly as congested. Also, most of the stuff I cough up is clear, I really had to cough hard to bring up the green stuff.

I would call my docs, but the only thing they would do is tell me to come in and see the nurse practitioner. I'd rather just go ahead and wait until I can see my reg GP next week. Not that I have anything against NPs, I just feel more comfortable with my GP right now. If the cough gets worse I'll go ahead and make the call though.

I hope you feel better soon too. Lord I can't wait until Spring!

Gal4Dale88USP · 02-25-2005, 06:01 PM

Boy I hear ya on that one,,,bring on Spring! Although,,,that means springtime allergies!!! LOL

When I cough,,,I don't always get 'stuff' up,,,seems I really have to cough to get anything. The other night I had such a deep coughing spell it felt like someone was picking my entire torso with pins,,,it HURT so bad!!!

Hope your feeling better!
~~Lorrie