When to go to the doctor? - Asthma Message Board

snowdrift · 08-15-2008, 05:01 AM

Y'know, if I hadn't had two ER visits for asthma attacks in the past six months, I wouldn't even be thinking about going. I have a cold. Well, I've had a cold. For a week now. With a cough. That is getting worse. I cannot lie down, I'm starting to get a bit short of breathe, and the cough is getting deeper and more painful. Slightly productive cough. I feel terrible. But, it's just a cold, and there's nothing they can do about a cold.

Anyway, if I did go to the dr, it wouldn't be to my dr. She just gives me antibiotics every time, for everything, and I just am tired of taking antibiotics. One of the times she gave me abx it may was probably warranted, but the other times, not so much. I'm starting with a new doctor in a few weeks, but can't go there until my coverage changes over. I don't have time anyway to make an appointment, and they wouldn't get me in until at least Monday anyway. I'd just go a clinic.

I dunno. Before asthma, I wouldn't even be thinking about it. But now, as I say, I've been the the ER twice, recently, and last time spent a night there, and I'm nervous that this'll lead to another attack that will mess up my life more, and make me sicker for longer. But is there even anything they can do to forestall than happening? I've already done two short courses of prednisone recently too, and I guess that that probably isn't warranted now. What could they do, other than tell me that it's a cold, and they can't do anything for colds?

Titchou · 08-15-2008, 05:30 AM

OK, here's the deal. You should be seeing a pulmonologist for your asthma. If you were, you would have a written plan and know what to do when something like this happens. Generally speaking, the plan will tell you how to alter your meds when you get sick. In my case, I take Flovent, one puff per day. When I get sick, have breathing problems, weather gets bad, whatever, I add one additional puff a day. If that doesn;t help, then I call in.

So, we can't tell you to alter your dosages; only a doctor can do that. I can tell you that an antibiotic does nothing for a cold. A cold is a viral infection and antibiotics are for bacterial infections.

You don't say what meds you are on for your asthma and whether or not you use albuterol for attacks. I will give you an old wives suggestion for the cough at night - campho phenique - a little poured onto a hankie or kleenex and held to your nose while you sleep. Works wonders!

snowdrift · 08-15-2008, 07:30 AM

Yeah, my pulmonologist appointment is coming up at the end of September. I'm six weeks into the three-month wait. And yeah, I know antibiotics are not merely useless, but harmful. Wish someone would get the news to my doctor.

I use Advair, and I use albuterol for attacks, but it's not helping much with this.

Titchou · 08-15-2008, 01:14 PM

You know, just because he hands you the prescription doesn't mean you have to take it! You wouldn't believe how many times I've refused one.

snowdrift · 08-16-2008, 04:23 PM

Yeah, I know. I went. They gave me cough stuff with codiene, and I feel a whole lot better after getting a whole night's sleep with minimal coughing. Said it was acute bronchitis. They also did give me antibiotics, said that it's standard treatment for acute bronchitis in people with persistent lung problems, because it could be bacterial or viral. I dunno.