Ask a doctor on the topic of Internal medicine

Tuberculosis COPD fear

April 30, 2016 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good day,

I am reaching out to you in full fear. I have been dealing with coughing and a runny nose constantly for months. Almost always leading to bronchitis. It has been happening almost every month since January, and I have been prescribed antibiotics repeatedly. I always felt like I had water in my lungs because they would bubble at night. I was sent to a pulmonologist, where a breathing test was conducted. He recommended I take a course of cortisone for 4 weeks. After that, I got sick again. About 6 weeks ago, my lungs were X-rayed and everything was fine.

Every time I get out of the bathtub in the evening, my breathing feels constricted. With a slight wheezing. Now I am sick again with coughing and a runny nose. My doctor only prescribed Sinupret for me. Nothing else!! Until this morning, I had green/brown phlegm. This morning, it was white and clumpy/slimy, then back to green/brown and now white/foamy with some green in it. Additionally, since yesterday evening, I have been experiencing strong pain on the left side of my chest radiating to the back. I have lost weight from 86 kg to 82 kg within 2-3 weeks. I went to an ENT doctor on Friday, yesterday, and he took a sample from my throat and said we have to wait.

I googled earlier and it mentioned tuberculosis and COPD. I am considering going to the emergency room now as I am very scared.

P.S.: Last night, I took Wick Medinight because I thought it might help, along with Dolodobendan.

I hope you can provide me with a brief statement.

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good morning,

Tuberculosis is out of the question, as the X-ray would have shown abnormalities six weeks ago. I'm afraid you may have been given antibiotics unnecessarily. In most cases, viruses are to blame, and antibiotics don't affect them, but unfortunately weaken the immune system for months.

You may also have a hypersensitive bronchial system, making you more susceptible to infections. You don't need to go to the emergency room, as this is not an emergency. Please avoid smoking, both actively and passively, and make an appointment with a specialist next week for further discussion.

Exception: if you still have chest pains, please go to the emergency room.

All the best!

Sincerely, Dr. Höllering