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What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Sore Throat While On Cefdinir?
Question: Hi Doctor:
Approximately 3 weeks ago, I went to the EMO related to having hoarse voice and severe sinus pressure. I was given Cefdinir antibiotic for upper respiratory infection. About 1 week later, went back because of sore throat, tickle in my throat that caused episodes of choking and shortness of breath. I was given proair inhaler as needed. I have been taking tussin cough medicine, halls cough drops; gargling; drinking plenty of water. I still have been getting nasal congestion with yellowish discharge; the tickle in my throat can be severe at times wherein I cough so bad that I need to leave the room the choking again and throat is dry. Not sure what's happening at this point. Any suggestions. Please advise. Thank you for your help.
Approximately 3 weeks ago, I went to the EMO related to having hoarse voice and severe sinus pressure. I was given Cefdinir antibiotic for upper respiratory infection. About 1 week later, went back because of sore throat, tickle in my throat that caused episodes of choking and shortness of breath. I was given proair inhaler as needed. I have been taking tussin cough medicine, halls cough drops; gargling; drinking plenty of water. I still have been getting nasal congestion with yellowish discharge; the tickle in my throat can be severe at times wherein I cough so bad that I need to leave the room the choking again and throat is dry. Not sure what's happening at this point. Any suggestions. Please advise. Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
Questions so that I can help:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I noticed you wrote that you have "choking again". Do you mean that the drainage down your throat/choking symptom went away for awhile and then came back?
Do you have yellow discharge from your nose or also from your sputum? And is it all day, or just for awhile after you get up?
Any fevers?
Do you normally recover from viral infections/colds without problems or does it take longer for you to recover?
Do you smoke cigarettes?
I'll write back after hearing back from you - thanks!
Questions so that I can help:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I noticed you wrote that you have "choking again". Do you mean that the drainage down your throat/choking symptom went away for awhile and then came back?
Do you have yellow discharge from your nose or also from your sputum? And is it all day, or just for awhile after you get up?
Any fevers?
Do you normally recover from viral infections/colds without problems or does it take longer for you to recover?
Do you smoke cigarettes?
I'll write back after hearing back from you - thanks!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doctor:
This tickle in my throat causes me to cough and at times with the tickle it feels like its choking and I lose my breath. The choking has happened about 2-3 times since about one week ago. I then try to relax and it gets better. I started to feel better after the first week that I went to the EMO and he put me on Cefdinir. After that the tickle in my throat started. I haven't felt these symptoms in years and when I did I would recover shortly thereafter. I am still getting yellowish discharge when I blow my nose and trying to cough up the sputum but is seems difficult. I did, however cough up a bit this morning which was slightly yellowish. The coughing episodes occur sporadically during the day and at night. Have not been running any temperature. Otherwise feel ok, just tired at times apparently from coughing. I quit smoking 24 years ago. The yellowish discharge seems to be lessening than a couple of days ago. My husband also has had similar symptoms. Thank you for your help. Await you response.
This tickle in my throat causes me to cough and at times with the tickle it feels like its choking and I lose my breath. The choking has happened about 2-3 times since about one week ago. I then try to relax and it gets better. I started to feel better after the first week that I went to the EMO and he put me on Cefdinir. After that the tickle in my throat started. I haven't felt these symptoms in years and when I did I would recover shortly thereafter. I am still getting yellowish discharge when I blow my nose and trying to cough up the sputum but is seems difficult. I did, however cough up a bit this morning which was slightly yellowish. The coughing episodes occur sporadically during the day and at night. Have not been running any temperature. Otherwise feel ok, just tired at times apparently from coughing. I quit smoking 24 years ago. The yellowish discharge seems to be lessening than a couple of days ago. My husband also has had similar symptoms. Thank you for your help. Await you response.
Brief Answer:
May need additional antibiotic.
Detailed Answer:
While I am cautious about over use of antibiotics, recommendations are that if symptoms of a sinus infection have gone on for longer than 3 weeks, it's time to treat with an antibiotic. So I recommend returning to your doctor or an urgent care clinic at this point. If you are prescribed antibiotics again, consider using a probiotic too, to protect your gut bacterial balance. Don't use the probiotic within a couple hours of the antibiotic though.
The choking is most likely from thick drainage going down your throat and stimulating the vagus nerve in the back of your throat. I've had this - it feels awful.
I don't know how often you are taking the Tussin or which formulation of it you are taking, but I recommend that you make sure you are getting the equivalent of 100mg of guaifenesin per hour, and drink lots of water so that the guaifenesin, which is a mucolytic, can work well. Most formulations of Tussin are combinations of meds (guaifenesin, sometimes dextromethorphan, sometimes pseudephedrine). If you need a longer duration for the guaifenesin than you are getting, consider a different product, such as Mucinex.
I also recommend a nasal steroid spray (you can buy Flonase over the counter). This can help stabilize the mucus membranes of the sinuses so that there is less drainage. It usually takes 3 days or so of regular use for a steroid nasal spray to start working.
Increase rest as much as possible!
I hope you are feeling better soon.
May need additional antibiotic.
Detailed Answer:
While I am cautious about over use of antibiotics, recommendations are that if symptoms of a sinus infection have gone on for longer than 3 weeks, it's time to treat with an antibiotic. So I recommend returning to your doctor or an urgent care clinic at this point. If you are prescribed antibiotics again, consider using a probiotic too, to protect your gut bacterial balance. Don't use the probiotic within a couple hours of the antibiotic though.
The choking is most likely from thick drainage going down your throat and stimulating the vagus nerve in the back of your throat. I've had this - it feels awful.
I don't know how often you are taking the Tussin or which formulation of it you are taking, but I recommend that you make sure you are getting the equivalent of 100mg of guaifenesin per hour, and drink lots of water so that the guaifenesin, which is a mucolytic, can work well. Most formulations of Tussin are combinations of meds (guaifenesin, sometimes dextromethorphan, sometimes pseudephedrine). If you need a longer duration for the guaifenesin than you are getting, consider a different product, such as Mucinex.
I also recommend a nasal steroid spray (you can buy Flonase over the counter). This can help stabilize the mucus membranes of the sinuses so that there is less drainage. It usually takes 3 days or so of regular use for a steroid nasal spray to start working.
Increase rest as much as possible!
I hope you are feeling better soon.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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