I have suffered from bouts of bronchitis since infancy.  I have found that the herbal extract elecampane works like a charm. It's the granddaddy of all expectorants.  It usually clears out the old pipes in about three days time.  Hope this will be of some help.  I will pray for your quick recovery.  Oh and someone mentioned to stop eating yogurt, definitely right.  Dairy promotes the production of mucus, do keep it out of your diet until you're better.  

If I understand it correctly, bronchitis is basically chest congestion and the antibiotics are just to clear up any infection, that congestion might have started, because it was sitting their a long time.  

My experience is that the only medication that's worth the side effects is Guafesine syrup, which is called Tussin and is what Rob-i-Tussin was in the first place.  (it loosens the plegm and it won't damage your liver!)

Of course, take a big pot of simmering water, put a towel over your head to make a tent over the water and inhale. (careful of the steam, it's hot!)  That's the best instant cure and is basically what an inhaler does (as i understand it and it's side effect free).

Then, of course, the room vaporizer.  Vicks makes those and you can buy them at some drugstores for like less than 10 bucks and they don't need any expensive "wicking" filter, like all the humidifiers do and it does just as good a job.  

Of course, lots of hot water, steamy showers, steam rooms, ect... get around steam and breath it in.  

Avoid cold air, it will constrict your airways.  Use a dust mask, if you go outside when it's cold out.  

As to cause though, to me it seems like it is usually lifestyle.  So, don't smoke.  And do lots of cardio (running is ideal).  Don't be a big fatty (fattys always huff and puff).    

Eating a healthy diet may help, you'll certainly feel better!  (three squares a day, using old food pyramid, whole foods (especially grains), lay off sugar, don't worry about salt, just don't eat lots of processed foods).  Don't forget to drink your water.

Going to try to get me antibiotic refilled today, was written for 2 refils, likely pharmacy will be a ral jerk about it and on a Friday to boot....
I have tried eveything, right now, not as congested, but all other tell-tale signs there....for me, nothing can get rid of it or stop it.....slow it down, minimize it, not stop it.....someday, will likely kill me....

take a big pot of simmering water, put a towel over your head to make a tent over the water and inhale. (careful of the steam, it's hot!)  That's the best instant cure and is basically what an inhaler does (as i understand it and it's side effect free).

 A drop of eucalyptus oil in that.

followed up by a large tumbler of whisky :geezer:

Seriously, Belloc, have you had investigations for a cause of recurrent bronchitis?

Quote from: Marcelino

I forgot the most important thing!  I think most of those congestion problems start in the sinuses, move into the mouth and throat and then down into the lungs, where they can turn into killer congestion-infection problems, but the whole thing seems preventable, by following a simple daily regime:  

~floss twice a day

~brush after all meals

~after brushing, gargle (rolling in the back of your throat) with warm salt water, for at least 30 seconds

That should pretty much keep your sinuses clear and free from infection, thus eliminating the possibility of an infection going deep down into your lungs.  

Soar throats, occasionally occur because of "bugs" going around, but following the gargle regime should keep them in check and temporary relief from glass cutting like pain is gotten from a medicated throat lozenge/spray like Cloraseptic.  

Also, sinuses can be kept clear and infection free, with a nasal spray, made of warm water and table salt.  

Hey, thanks for the suggestions.

I don't know why but I feel this weird tingle like feeling across my collarbone that comes and goes and my sternum feels somewhat sore if I move my arms towards my chest. Before I came down with bronchitis I noticed that I started feeling that "tingling" sensation around my collarbone. I'm not even sure if I can call it tingling because it's not like pins and needles or anything but it feels like momentary tightness in that spot that comes and goes every so often. It's not THAT tight but it's definitely tighter than usual. I don't know if this is bronchitis related or if I'm stressed. Interestingly enough, I noticed that I really don't feel this tingling when I'm outside of the house.

When I came down with the bronchitis the tingling stopped and the bronchitis eventually went away.. Now the tingling is back and I'm wondering if I'm coming down with bronchitis again. Or maybe it never went away? I don't know. But my case of bronchitis has never been that serious which makes me wonder if this is really bronchitis at all. I just haven't felt right since this one day my doctor sent me to do some blood work for another reason.

I believe I might be allergic to something in my house but I'm not sure what.

I went to an allergist and had everything checked;  I had nothing, but i get soarness and tingling too.  I think it's probably just muscle strain.  Could be brought on by being sick (coughing a lot) and even tension, maybe push ups or even poor posture.  

I don't worry too much about things;  people get so many aches and pains and most of them mean nothing.  Although, I have noticed the medical industry seems anxious to make something out of nothing.  So, I try not to trust people in lab coats or scrubs!  

If you can get your hands on something stronger, take that too! :cheers:

Try colloidal silver.  You can get it at the health food store.  It is rather expensive but it works.

Also Vit C, garlic, and zinc taken together 4 or 5 times a day will clear up the run of the mill infections, but silver is for the really nasty things that won't go away.

Take probiotics to repopulate the gut of the good bacteria as antibiotics kills it all, good, bad, and indifferent.

Marsha