Bronchitis recovery

bikes`n`guns

Folks

Have been laid up with a horrible flu like bug for over a week now, spent 4 days in bed with it.
It has now developed into bronchitis and I am taking a steroid and salbutimol, plus a cough suppressant (codiene) to stop the agonising coughing fits.


I tried walking the dogs yesterday and was buggered, dizzy and weak as piss. But surely some mild activity is better than completely lying down to it , no ?

What would you do ? total inactivity, or some mild activity like walking, even if it means having to pay for it afterwards.? What is likely to aid recovery better ?

keef66

I had bad bronchitis as a teenager and it took me months to recover from it completely. Any kind of physical activity would have me coughing for ages.

If it makes you feel worse, don't do it. I know it will be frustrating, but don't try to rush your recovery. Standing in a hot shower may help suppress the coughing. At least the weather's still relatively mild, so going out for a gentle walk once your lungs are up to it shouldn't trouble your breathing too much.
It's harder in the winter when you're going from dry, central heating to cold and damp outside and back again. That can still have me coughing all these years later.

fenix

If the activity leaves you weak - then I'd think you should avoid it. Your body needs all of its energy to get better. Be patient.

kajjal

Best to discuss with your doctor.

ck101

Take it handy until you feel better. Inflammation in the lungs can take up to 6 months to subside.
Stay away from all fumes and strong smells, if you smoke stop, drink plenty of fluids to make sputum easier to cough up.
If constant sputum becomes an issue you could try a supplement NAC from Holland and Barrett.
Lastly ensure to get enough rest.

slowmart

your body needs rest to repair itself.

Doing too much will only diminish and delay your recovery.

bikes`n`guns

The steroids are definitely having a fast effect. Making breathing much easier, as is the salbutimol. Dry mouth though.
Also coughing less just since starting the above medication.
Am chilling out, but it`s hard work to not even go out a walk with the dogs. Will see how the weekend goes.

bikes`n`guns

Well after feeling quite well all week, and just getting home from work, I decided to meet a workmate at Glentress today for a gentle re-intro to the bike.


Done the green route next to the top carpark. Flew round the very easy route, and finished it on my knees, coughing up streams of fluid and coughing till I vomited.

Copious use of Salbutimol got me breathing again and I headed back to the car and packed up.


To say I was shocked is an understatement. I never expected a reaction like that after feeling ok.


Totally gutted and don`t know how I will cope with no cycling at all. I have no idea when this will ease enough to get me back on the bike.

First drink in a month, but wine was needed as I feel gutted.

Anyhoo, thought I`d share my upset.

mamba80

Why dont you go to your GP and make sure that you dont need anti biotics, have you had any bloods or similar done? your infection may have changed from viral to bacterial.

slowmart

@ B & G's.

Focus on getting your health back and the hardest part of that is taking it easy. At the moment you gave a limited choice in what you do, keep pushing will only result in a longer recovery. Mentally write off the next 6-8 weeks and have no expectation of riding your bike.

Heal soon and well.

mamba80

this guy should go back to his GP and seek their advice - has he even seen a GP ?

My mate is a GP and i ve just been rebuilding her pc (unbelievably boring), she reckons the op has other issues or is self medicating!

bikes`n`guns

Not self medicating and have seen a GP.

Might go back, but at the end of the day Bronchitis is Bronchitis. If I was getting worse I`d go back, but I`m not.

kajjal

You need to understand you have a serious condition that takes months to recover from. keep in contact with your GP and have a realistic approach to your recovery or you could do yourself some serious long term damage. It is very frustrating but not permanent.