Resolved question:
In December, I had something like bronchitis or something and had a lot of DRY coughing. I took two rounds of antibiotics and it would get better, (almost gone) then return. I finally just decided to let it run it's course and see if it would get better with time.
Now my coughs seem to be productive, but there is now color to the little bit of moisture that comes out when I cough. However, I feel like I have been beat in my ribs with a sledgehammer. When I go to cough now, I dread it and when I tense up to cough I have a pain in the lower part of my ribs or lung. It' aches some when I'm not coughing, but really aches when I tense up.
As far as other symptoms I feel generally ok, no fever, chills, or anything. Maybe a night sweat on occasion, but I assumed that was from the changing seasons.
Just an FYI...I am 46 year old male, 6'4" tall and I weigh about 300 lbs. I am bigger boned and my lightest weight as an adult at 200 was described as "boney looking" by my wife who is a healthy 116. I have always been pretty resistant to illness most of my life and do not smoke or drink.
Can somebody give me an idea of what might be going on and whether this sounds like symptoms of Can_er or something? ( I can't bring myself to write it)
Thank you,
Phil
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Internal Medicine Specialist
Hello Phil,
Thank you for choosing DoctorSpring.
I understand your concern and will try my best to help you out here. I assume that you do not have any other major symptoms other that you have mentioned here. Also I assume that you have no history of significant weight loss or coughing up of blood. (Please correct me if this is not so).
Analysing your symptoms and medical history there is NO solid reason to suspect anything serious. The fact that you had good response to antibiotics suggests that the cause is probably bacterial. Your current symptoms could be due to a chronic allergic bronchitis complicated by a secondary bacterial infection. You are not a smoker which further reduced your risk
Being said that you can be never 100% sure with out further testing. Especially since you have long standing cough. Generally with a serious condition you will start getting other features such as weight loss, blood in sputum etc. You will need to get a Chest Xray, a Physical examination and treatment based on this.
Are you on any medications currently ? Do you have any breathlessness ? Any leg swelling ? (You can reply as a followup)
Also there is nothing 'natural' about cough and so you should not let it follow a natural course if the the cough lasts for more than a week. It can lead on to other complications such infection in the lung to hernia ! Do get the tests and treatment based on this.
Hope this helps
Feel free to ask followups / clarifications.
Thank you for the response!! I didn't know how to submit the answers about any past problems, but I haven't had any of the items mentioned. I am not in the shape used to be so I tend to think my BP may be higher than it used to be, but My weight tends to go down when I can get outside and get moving.
I'm so not on any medications, but I do breath harder when I go up steps now, as compared to 5 years ago of so. However, I haven't noticed it being any worse since I've had the cough.
I have noticed that as I put on weight over the last 3-4 years, I will have a little swelling in my ankles at the end of the day, when I've been setting all day. I don't think it's quite as prevelant when I wind up walking around during the day.
I'm going to go try to make it to a doctor on Monday, but my schedule is always so packed week to week, that it's been almost impossible to get away.
Hello,
You really need to a complete physical examination as soon as possible. A mild weakness of the heart can cause leg swelling, breathlessness on climbing stairs etc. In addition to the above mentioned test it is better to do a complete blood count, a Thyroid function test, ECG, ECHO, Liver and renal function test. Consider this like an annual physical. Just to make sure everything is alright. You can get back to me or your Doctor with these reports.
Hope this helps
Feel free to ask followups
Thank you