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What Causes Congestion, Dry Cough, Chest Tightness, Swollen Lymph Glands And Breathing Difficulty?
Question: I am a very healthy 70 yr. old female in Southern California. I am a retired elementary school teacher so I have had a multitude of colds and flus over the years, but NEVER have I been sick for more than a few days. I do not smoke, drink, or do drugs. I hike and love to be outdoors and in my garden.
I woke up Monday morning, May 29 having congestion and a cough. I had asthma as a child and felt that old feeling of an asthma attack coming on (first time in 40 years). I thought I might be coming down with the flu since this is the first year ever that I missed my flu shot. I had a terrible dry cough for several days, felt like someone had tightened a belt around my chest, and was so tired I could barely get up. I had no appetite, my throat was sore and I could feel that my lymph glands were swollen. By Thursday, XXXXXXX 1 the cough had turned very productive, my throat felt better, but I was still very short on breath and exhausted. I could feel that my temperature was above normal, but found it was only 102. By Monday, XXXXXXX 5, I actually felt like I might get better. I got up and watered my garden and cooked some food. That was all I could do. Same thing on Tuesday. Wednesday I could barely get up without getting extremely light headed. I called my doctor and got an appointment for Thursday afternoon. I woke up Thursday morning (yesterday) feeling so much better that I cancelled the appointment. I cooked some food, did some laundry and watered my garden. Big mistake. By noon I was back in bed having difficulty breathing. Slept most of the day and felt better at night, but still felt short of breath. Same thing today. I can use the bathroom, make a sandwich, walk around a little, but then must lie down and rest. If it is pneumonia, I should be and have been more congested. Living in a rural area of dry, dusty So. Calif. I thought of Valley Fever and looked it up. Sounds like it could be that but I don't have any rashes. It is Friday and the doctor cannot see me until next Tuesday. By then it will be over 2 weeks since this started. It all came on so suddenly - that Monday morning almost 2 weeks ago. I am worried.
I woke up Monday morning, May 29 having congestion and a cough. I had asthma as a child and felt that old feeling of an asthma attack coming on (first time in 40 years). I thought I might be coming down with the flu since this is the first year ever that I missed my flu shot. I had a terrible dry cough for several days, felt like someone had tightened a belt around my chest, and was so tired I could barely get up. I had no appetite, my throat was sore and I could feel that my lymph glands were swollen. By Thursday, XXXXXXX 1 the cough had turned very productive, my throat felt better, but I was still very short on breath and exhausted. I could feel that my temperature was above normal, but found it was only 102. By Monday, XXXXXXX 5, I actually felt like I might get better. I got up and watered my garden and cooked some food. That was all I could do. Same thing on Tuesday. Wednesday I could barely get up without getting extremely light headed. I called my doctor and got an appointment for Thursday afternoon. I woke up Thursday morning (yesterday) feeling so much better that I cancelled the appointment. I cooked some food, did some laundry and watered my garden. Big mistake. By noon I was back in bed having difficulty breathing. Slept most of the day and felt better at night, but still felt short of breath. Same thing today. I can use the bathroom, make a sandwich, walk around a little, but then must lie down and rest. If it is pneumonia, I should be and have been more congested. Living in a rural area of dry, dusty So. Calif. I thought of Valley Fever and looked it up. Sounds like it could be that but I don't have any rashes. It is Friday and the doctor cannot see me until next Tuesday. By then it will be over 2 weeks since this started. It all came on so suddenly - that Monday morning almost 2 weeks ago. I am worried.
Brief Answer:
You can go to ER if you still do not feel well
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking,
I can understand your concern,
As per your history, I do not think this is valley fever.
All seem started like a viral infection and probably during the time a bacterial superimposition has happened.
You will need some tests as follows:
Hemogram
CRP
Chest X-ray
Spirometry test
If they are positive you will need to take antibiotics for sure, along with mucolytics.
If they didn't detect anything significant, then you can continue with inhalers only.
If you feel worse after each day, you can simply go to nearest ER to seek medical help and the doctor there will examine you promptly as well as prescribe the above for you.
I wish a fast recovery for you, let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Dr.Jolanda
You can go to ER if you still do not feel well
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking,
I can understand your concern,
As per your history, I do not think this is valley fever.
All seem started like a viral infection and probably during the time a bacterial superimposition has happened.
You will need some tests as follows:
Hemogram
CRP
Chest X-ray
Spirometry test
If they are positive you will need to take antibiotics for sure, along with mucolytics.
If they didn't detect anything significant, then you can continue with inhalers only.
If you feel worse after each day, you can simply go to nearest ER to seek medical help and the doctor there will examine you promptly as well as prescribe the above for you.
I wish a fast recovery for you, let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Dr.Jolanda
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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