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Had Cough And Flu With Chest Infection. Given Inhaler And Nasal Spray. Have Bubbling Sensation In Chest. Suggest?

Posted on Thu, 17 Oct 2013

Question: Hi!i have had a cough on and off for nearly a year now. Just over a month ago I had a flu bug which ended in a nasty chest infection and I have had 2 antibiotics, an inhaler and a steroid nasal spray. The cough is there on and off during the day but def worse at night from about 8 pm onwards. When I lie down at night I hear a sound like ....bubbles popping in my chest..and I feel all this gunk in my throat which for the last 2 nights has meant I am up being sick. my inhaler helped but its run out now and the vomiting has only started since this happened. I went to the gym last night and feel well enough in myself....eating well...no pain anywhere or weight loss but I do feel tired. Am wondering if I have asthma?? also..am worried as my dad died from pulmonary oedema..although he was 86 and I am 46. WOuld appreciate some advice please?? I feel like my GP is not really interested. XXXXX.

Answered by Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
An evaluation with Pulmonologist is required.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting the query on XXXXXXX After going through your query, I would like to comment the following:

1. You seem to be having cough on and off since a year. Also 1 month back, a viral infection seemed to have occured.

2. Firstly your hypertension needs to be in a controlled state. Please be regular in your blood pressure medications. If uncontrolled, that may sometimes lead to Pulmonary edema.

3. Your cough needs detailed analysis by a Pulmonologist. Evaluation requires clinical examination, chest Xray, blood counts, Pulmonary function test. Based on these parameters , antibiotics and inhalers may be required. You need to continue your inhalers currently.

4. There are high chances of post infective bronchiolitis or bronchiectasis.

5. Thus you need to get a detailed evaluation from a Pulmonologist as soon as possible.

I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any.
Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries.

Regards

Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (25 minutes later)

Thanks for that. Have just spoken to a Doctor here and he tells me the steroid nasal spray can take a couple of weeks to work. He has prescribed me another ventolin inhaler and said to go back and see him in 3 weeks if this doesn't settle.

I haven't told my GP I smoke! around 10 a day..I used to smoke years ago and gave up when pregnant..but have started again.....also around a year ago. Could this be what's causing the problem also?? XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
COPD needs to be ruled out.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow up.

1. Steroid nasal spray helps releive nasal congestion if any. Ventorlin will help reduce cough and breathlessness.

2. You smoking histoy places you at a risk of developing COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - cause of breathlessness. Chest Xray and PFT needs to be done. Till then continue medications.

3. Never hide any history from doctor. You need to stop smoking as soon as possible.

4. Consult a Pulmonologist.

I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any.
Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries.

Regards

Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar