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Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath, Wheezing And Dry Cough In An Elderly Person
Question: I'm a 55-year-old female, disabled due to injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident 7 years ago; otherwise my health is good except for the following:
I have had congestion and cough for 4 1/2 months. It is not a hacking or dry cough, but a fairly productive cough; sputum is dark green, bloody at times. My symptoms are worse at night when I'm lying down. I've been to my family doctor twice since these symptoms first occurred; having taken 2 rounds of levofloxacin 500 mg and prednisone 10 mg. I have also used liquid otc mussinex, consuming approximately four 9-ounce bottles over the past 4 months. I do not have a fever, but I'm tired all the time, sleeping as long as 18 hours straight. I feel very weak at times, almost to the point of passing out. I can feel and hear the congestion deep in my lungs and chest up to my throat, with wheezing and shortness of breath. I give out and get short of breath coming up the basement steps; walking to the mailbox; and grocery shopping is nearly impossible! My mother died 6 years ago (age 67) of congestive heart failure; could my condition be related? What is wrong with me? Why can't I get well? I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired! Thank you for any answers or advice you can give me. XXXXXXX S. in Reidsville, North XXXXXXX
I have had congestion and cough for 4 1/2 months. It is not a hacking or dry cough, but a fairly productive cough; sputum is dark green, bloody at times. My symptoms are worse at night when I'm lying down. I've been to my family doctor twice since these symptoms first occurred; having taken 2 rounds of levofloxacin 500 mg and prednisone 10 mg. I have also used liquid otc mussinex, consuming approximately four 9-ounce bottles over the past 4 months. I do not have a fever, but I'm tired all the time, sleeping as long as 18 hours straight. I feel very weak at times, almost to the point of passing out. I can feel and hear the congestion deep in my lungs and chest up to my throat, with wheezing and shortness of breath. I give out and get short of breath coming up the basement steps; walking to the mailbox; and grocery shopping is nearly impossible! My mother died 6 years ago (age 67) of congestive heart failure; could my condition be related? What is wrong with me? Why can't I get well? I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired! Thank you for any answers or advice you can give me. XXXXXXX S. in Reidsville, North XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Further diagnostics recommendable
Detailed Answer:
Dear Patient,
if 2 rounds of antibiotics and steroids did not help, a switch of the antibiotic may be the next step.
To find out the cause though, further diagnostics are advisable:
1.) pulmological examination with lung function test, x rays of lung to find the cause for the chronic cough
2.) Heart examination and EKG to check on heart function because of the Family history.
Best regards
Further diagnostics recommendable
Detailed Answer:
Dear Patient,
if 2 rounds of antibiotics and steroids did not help, a switch of the antibiotic may be the next step.
To find out the cause though, further diagnostics are advisable:
1.) pulmological examination with lung function test, x rays of lung to find the cause for the chronic cough
2.) Heart examination and EKG to check on heart function because of the Family history.
Best regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Priyanka G Raj
Answered by
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