Thanks, again, for requesting me and I'm sorry you're not feeling well. The good news is I'm pretty sure, at this point, that you probably don't have lung cancer. So take a deep breath (and try not to cough), and be a bit relieved.
If you are a smoker of 15 years, then you most likely have a case of bronchitis, and one that, at this point 3 weeks into it, probably requires antibiotics. This probably started as a relatively innocent viral upper respiratory infection, but smokers (because the cigarette smoke burns the little cilia in your throat and nasal passages, that normally help to fight infection, and because cigarettes otherwise impair immunity) can then develop a secondary bacterial infection on top of this, which can then persist. So 3 weeks out, although you have probably gotten over the viral infection, you now might have a bacterial bronchitis.
Give your physician a call, and tell them you're pretty darn sure you have a case of bronchitis. They'll likely want to see you, and then will also likely prescribe some antibiotics (although there is continuing debate, these days, if antibiotics are even required), which should take care of the problem. They probably won't do an XRay (or other testing), as it generally isn't needed with something like this that sounds like bronchitis.
As a former smoker myself (I do miss it sometimes), I do NOT miss the recurring episodes of bronchitis that smokers are predisposed to. With every cold that comes around, because you are a smoker you have a much greater chance of developing a secondary bronchitis that can persist on top of that virus. So this can be a recurring theme, and not a very pleasant one, at that. So if you can, and I encourage you to do so - quit smoking. Use the patch or gum if you need to, wean yourself off of the cigarettes, and do it. But it can be done. And once you have done say, then you will most likely not get bronchitis again!
I hope this helps. Out of curiousity - did you end up finishing the Prevpak, or did you switch? I remember you were getting headaches. Just curious.
Let me know if you need anything else, more than happy to help as usual, and I'm almost always available.
Take care and feel better - Dr. Fay
Edited by jcfay on October 9 2006 at 11:14am
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