Chest infection for 3 weeks now

[Jellypudmum]

I've had a chest infection for 3 weeks now. I am physically and mentally exhausted and spent days in bed. My whole body aches and feels sore. I've tried cold and flu remedies, vapour rub, rest and all to no avail. I went to my doctor last year with the same problem and he implied I was wasting his time and that it just had to run its course, which I understand and agree with. The problem is, until this happens my symptoms have basically incapacitated me.
Is there anything I could do to ease them?

[Jellypudmum]

Feel so weak that I can't get up and move around much.
Trying hard to keep my fluid intake up but have to really force myself to eat so now have diarrhoea (sorry TMI)?
My chest is constantly wheezing and rattling with a hacking cough; unable to sleep with it.
Feel like I have phlem on my chest but not coughing that up; never seems to clear iyswim?
I have mild asthma but the inhalers don't seem to do much.
I'm almost afraid to go to the doctors as last time last year he just shrugged and said it had to run its course!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Could you take someone with you to the doctors or try a different doctor or a walk in centre? Alternatively, could you book in with the nurse for an asthma review?

[Hedgehogparty]

You need a GP or nurse appt.
Sounds like you might need antibiotics?
3 weeks especially if you have asthma, is a long while.

[Jellypudmum]

I think you're right. I'm going to bite the bullet and go!

[bizzey]

Jellypudmum ...good luck ..I have just started a thread my self about chest infection without a cough ,but hard to breathe.

Think I may have to bite the bullet tomorrow as well after a fantastic 6 years of NOT needing a GP !!

Let us know how you get on .

[Jellypudmum]

Booked an appointment; can't get one until Friday at 4! :(

[bizzey]

jellypudmum...how did you get on at the doctors ?

[Jellypudmum]

As suspected he said it was a very nasty chest infection but I had to rest and wait it out. Now got a rash caused by the virus as well. So, took myself off to Boots and bought more cough linctus, upped my inhalers, taking pain killers to ease my aching body muscles and am drinking chai tea by the gallon to help my throat!!

[Piscivorus]

Usually if it is an infection lasting this long they would give antibiotics but you can get an exacerbation of asthma which is similar to a chest infection but without the thick green infected phlegm. The only treatment usually given for these is oral steroids if severe but generally these do just have to run their course. Keep up the inhalers.

As a fellow asthmatic you have my sympathies

[Jellypudmum]

I am still very phlemmy ( tmi & that's not a real word, sorry)!
I'm hoping that continuing to rest etc helps.
Meant to be back at work on Monday after a bed ridden half term!