Just left ER… after chest xray was told I have bronchitis. Is this common in lupus patients. I have a huge fear of catching a cold or the flu…im afraid it will be life threatening for me if I do because of plaquenil suppressing immune system and prednisone. Im on my 2nd prednisone taper since being diagnosed. I was prescribed a zpack…inhaler and teslon pearls for the brohncitis.
Sorry to hear but you should be ok. Just take care and stay aware of your symptoms.
Sorry. That’s awful. I had lupus alone years ago and now have both lupus and Sjogrens Syndrome. Last year, I went through hell with colds and two bouts of bronchitis. I did not go through this when I had lupus alone, but now with the SS, it is more of a risk. So, that is a little something to consider for yourself, however, it could very well be your medications or your meds combined with risk factors like being around kids more often for example. I was able to GREATLY reduce getting colds and bronchitis by doing the following:
Washing my hands thoroughly OFTEN
Carrying Wipees in my purse and using them after touching anything that might have germs like
Shopping carts
Always washing my hands before eating
Taking extra vitamin C daily
Taking Zinc if I was around someone with a cold or if I didn’t feel well
Gargling with water and baking soda if I feel the slightest cold or sore throat symptom
For me, bronchitis started with a cold of some kind, even a little one. So, I had to prevent getting a cold.
I wash my hands so often I have to use a good hand cream.
Wishing you well!
You should be O.K. The Plaquenil does not depress your immune system totally rather slows it down. I have had bronchitis problems all my life (55 yrs) Lupus 3 yrs, in the midst now of first bronchitis since Lupus. 4 weeks & still productive; but improving. Rheumatologist suspended my immune suppressant (Cell Cept) for one week. Returned to my G.P. this week for a 3rd course of antibiotics with advice to step my prednisone up to 25mg for 3 days (from current taper of 9mg) if no improvement this week.
Be aware & ask questions but please don't be afraid. Having said that trust your own instincts. Best Wishes to you Kaz xx
I’m really sorry, butt know you are not alone. I have chronic bronchitis along with copd, lupus, fibromyalgia and so on. At least twice a year I go see my Dr for bronchitis, and I get a z pack or two. I hadn’t had a problem taking it. My best friend who also has what I have plus ms and now renal failure and she can’t take the z pack because it makes her sick. As every lupus treatment is different so is our reason to medication. Every person I’ve talked to locally can’t take lyrica butt it’s really helped me. I don’t take any immune suppression medication either. Really watch and research what the Dr tells you and gives you. I was given hands full of pills only to find out. My lupus was mild. After reviewing and researching I felt that I didn’t need the medication since it was not to bad. Please be your own dr also and research and review things and see how things add up in your mind and what you think will be best, to take it or not to. Best luck sweetheart
I’ve had trouble with seasonal bronchitis misty of my life along with sinus infections. Was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 20 years ago and with Sjogrens, Reynauds and lupus almost 2 years ago. This bout of bronchitis had hung there for the past 3 months now and the constant changing weather doesn’t help at all. Doctors love to give you antibiotics but they really don’t help. You Jay have to ride it out. Good luck.
Just curious, did you just get back fro Vegas.
I got back 3 weeks ago, very sick and my friend came back with bronchitis.
You need a lot of rest even when you start to feel better.
Feel better soon
Cindy
I went from having about nine sinus infections, two bad cases of bronchitis and several colds one year to…one minor sinus infection the following year and nothing else in that arena (thank goodness)simply by washing my hands VERY often and making the changes I described above. I just got a post in my face Book page about avoiding colds and all that goes with them. I did many of these things too.
The article author (reporter, not medical person) states the following things prove helpful:
1.eating healthfully…avoiding sugar, eating veggies etc
2. Rest…no staying up late
3. Moderate exercise
4. Vitamin C…extra C tablets and try to eat more fruit; oranges, etc.
5. Water…keep hydrated…avoid dehydration drink lots of water
6. Drink herbal tea
7. Take oil of oregano, especially if feeling unwell
8. Use neti pot, especially if feeling congested
(I use Neil med squirter bottle and their solution)
9. Take ZINC at the slightest indication of a cold or related illness
(Be careful can upset your stomach. I often use Optizinc Tablets and Cold Eeze losenges)
More from article about zinc:
… Eat Foods Rich in Zinc; zinc plays an important role in immune system health and restoring and repairing cells. Many people are deficient in this vital mineral, but you can easily obtain it through certain foods. Legumes, green beans, brussel sprouts, corn, berries, and dates contain a fair amount of zinc per serving, and the added fiber is beneficial to maintaining health as well. Zinc blocks viruses from gaining full access to our cells, and keeps the immune system balanced. You can also take a zinc tablet as well to get the required amount in your diet.
Bronchitis usually follows a cold or the flu. Here’s how I avoid catching colds, flu, bronchitis etc.
Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes and mouth, until you can wash your hands.
Flu shot
Wash hands with soap and warm water, especially after the grocery store, where you push a cart, or similar interactive activities.
My doctor treats sinus infections, which I used to get a lot, with saline spray, lots of warm liquids, gr, which drains your sinuses, and
if you still have green stuff, you get antibiotic
I try hard to avoid get sick , it take me so long to recover with lupus. Especially when I was on biologic drugs, which are developed to kill the immune system. Guess that’s the point of all the lupus meds.
Where it says gr, I meant to write sudafed. It helps making the stuff in your sinus more liquid so it can drain out. Sudafed is now a controlled substance that you have to get from the pharmacist’s counter because people use it to make meth. I get the “12 hour non drowsy”) i agree with the zinc, I buy Coldeze or zinc capsules. When you get treated for bronchitis, it’s common to get an inhaler or prednisone pack… It helps to have some toast or something if you take much Coldeze of prescription cough syrup to settle your stomach. Get well!
glad someone else questions the pills the doctors throw at you with lupus, I don't take any meds anymore, I'm no better or worse off than before, but I don't advocate this either, just glad someone else questions and decides for themselves what works and what doesn't.
OneStrongawoman2011 said:
I'm really sorry, butt know you are not alone. I have chronic bronchitis along with copd, lupus, fibromyalgia and so on. At least twice a year I go see my Dr for bronchitis, and I get a z pack or two. I hadn't had a problem taking it. My best friend who also has what I have plus ms and now renal failure and she can't take the z pack because it makes her sick. As every lupus treatment is different so is our reason to medication. Every person I've talked to locally can't take lyrica butt it's really helped me. I don't take any immune suppression medication either. Really watch and research what the Dr tells you and gives you. I was given hands full of pills only to find out. My lupus was mild. After reviewing and researching I felt that I didn't need the medication since it was not to bad. Please be your own dr also and research and review things and see how things add up in your mind and what you think will be best, to take it or not to. Best luck sweetheart
Get the pneumonia shot…I think that will protect you from deadly infections, since your upper respiratory is weak and our immune system is compromised from medications.
I get Bronchitis quite often even after having a Pneumonia shot, lupus affects my lungs as well so my doctor said I will probably always get it especially when the weather changes that is the worst time for me...but i hope you feel better and have a speedy recovery