I have asthma, and COPD - normally both well under control. I am in my 80's and at the end of 2021 I hiad two nasty attacks of bronchitus (the second taking out the whole of the Christmas for me). Been fine since, but woke up over a week ago feeling dreadful and within 48 hours realised the dreadful barking cough was part of bronchitus. Two subsequent covid tests came back very negative.
Informed GP who sent me a weeks course of anti-biotics (in case it was bacterial, not viral). As the week progressed it got worse and worse. I became really ill, could not even get dressed. I am fortunate that I have daughter living close by and she popped in each day and even had to change my bedding as I could not do so.
I have to admit that by about days 7 and 8 I did not think I was going to come out the other side of this. I cannot remember feeling so ill. DId not want to ring 111 as they would probably taken into account my other medical conditions and age and just sent me to hospital. Sadly, I felt, these days that would have been a death sentence.
My Sabutomol inhaler worked overtime, particularly at night when my wheezing was so very loud.
This morning, Day10 I am now feeling that I am really improving, very slowly. Still no energy, and have achey limbs, but not coughing and sneezing anywhere so much as previously. Do not think the a-bios helped at all,probably it was a viral infection.
One of my Daughters tells me that GP's can now prescribe viral medication. She also says I should send a description as to how poorly I have been to my GP for my notes.
I note that I am in good company with this illness as the Pope had it. But do not suppose whilst he had it be worried about changing his bed, preparing meals, etc. Had a couple of hot meals delivered to me. I have been introduced to the wonders of Just Eat, etc.!!!! Fell asleep each time, after I had
eaten anything - the effort of that exhausted me.
I can remember my Mum having these attacks back in the 70's and early 80's, nearly always used to end in hospital for weeks.
I have survived this time, but to sum up how bad I felt, I actually typed out a list of people, etc. who need to be informed of my death. Not like me, I am normally very much a glass is half full type of person. Even when three years ago I had to have a growth removed , and the Doctors came into the ward to tell me (to their obvious relief) that it was not malignant, I told them I knew that, and had not been worried and they replied that they had!!!!
Nasty illness for us older people Bronchitus
