Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Took Prednisone For Asthmatic Bronchitis. Spasms In Sternum Due To Cough. Can I Use A Muscle Relaxer?
I have just finished with a 12 day treatment of Prednisone for a bout of asthmatic bronchitis. I have coughed so hard that I believe my sternum is in spasms causing me to continue coughing when it is not related to the asthma. I feel a muscle relaxer may help to stop the need to cough. The area hurts and feels tight. It is not heart related I am most sure. Would a muscle relaxer help as I had one years ago when my hiccup muscles decided to do the same thing. Once the muscle relaxant had stopped the spasms I quite quickly felt much better.
Thu, 4 Jul 2013
Hi thanks for your question.
Cough of asthmatic bronchitis should respond to steroids. Yes I can understand the muscle pain and spasm you must be having due to persistent coughing. Muscle relaxants are not recommended for cough, as cough is not initiated by muscle. Cough center lies in brain, which is stimulated by irritations in the respiratory system. For controlling cough you have to either remove the stimulus from the respiratory system or suppress the cough center. Consult a physician who may be able to prescribe you cough suppressant which will not interfere with your asthma. Hiccup has different mechanism.
Hope this answers your question.
Cough of asthmatic bronchitis should respond to steroids. Yes I can understand the muscle pain and spasm you must be having due to persistent coughing. Muscle relaxants are not recommended for cough, as cough is not initiated by muscle. Cough center lies in brain, which is stimulated by irritations in the respiratory system. For controlling cough you have to either remove the stimulus from the respiratory system or suppress the cough center. Consult a physician who may be able to prescribe you cough suppressant which will not interfere with your asthma. Hiccup has different mechanism.
Hope this answers your question.
I find this answer helpful
1 user finds this helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Muscle relaxant
Loading Online Doctors....