New to Group

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I am new to group and have questions. I have had attacks

of " Bronchitis " , " Asthma " , " Asthmatic Bronchitis " , Asthamatic

Brochonchitis with bronchospasms " , " Restrictive Airway Disease " (all

terms my doctors have used over the years)and have primarily only

been treated with Proventil inhalers over the years until this year.

On January 2 I woke with a bad headache after being exposed to my

stepson and his family a few days earlier who was sneezing coughing

and blowing his nose a lot when my husband and I visited. I also

started having the scratchy throat. By Friday I had lost my voice,

was having trouble breathing and was coughing violently non-

productively. I went to the doctor's office that day. Peak Flow

normal for me is supposed to be about 475 and I was only able to do

about 225. I was given Z-pack (antibiotic), Prednisone 40 mg per day

and would take that for 3 days then taper down to 30 mg etc. By

Tuesday I still was no better. Went back to the doctor's office, my

peak flow was under 200 this time, x-ray's, ecg, and lab work was

done. Intitial impression was vascular edema in the bronchial area.

Prednisone was increased to 40 mg. Nebulizer with abuterol was 4

times a day and Advair 1 inhalation daily was added. Still no return

of voice it keeps going away. I am finally on 30mg a day of the

prednsone, still on nebulizer 4 times a day. I was wondering if

anyone else has had an attack similar and how long it took them to

get weaned off the prednisone and how long to get their voice back.

I do see my family doctor on Friday. He has said also that once I

get over this he will be sending me to a pulmonologist.

Any thoughts comments feedback will be appreciated. Thanks.

Cecilia