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RSV, needing advice

Posted by atassi15 @atassi15, Dec 15, 2023

Hello,
Was wondering if anyone could share their experiences with RSV?
This is my first time having it and it has literally shaken my entire world. I was out of work for a week and a half. As expected by the info online, the first 5-7 days were the hardest.
Today I had hit day 14, and had been relieved this week when my cough seemed to go away for the most part. Or I wasn't having violent coughing episodes. I still would have mucus come up, but it had been mainly clear. Still a lot of nasal congestion. The absolute worst part has been the sleep deprivation. I have been waking up every 2 hours and feel extremely weak and fatigued.
Today I worry I've had a setback, but not sure if it truly is or not. I have had a horrible headache all day (I'm sure also from sleep deprivation). I started noticing chest discomfort again and tonight I've been waking up even more frequently, even though I'm exhausted. I hadn't tessalon perles (benzontate) for my cough in almost a week since it had felt like it was going away. But tonight I ended up taking one due to the chest discomfort. Roughly 40 mins to hour later, I coughed up brown, weird colored mucus (even though my mucus has been mainly clear this week). I have never taken this before getting RSV. I didn't have any issues when I took it at the beginning of the illness.
I'm just wondering, has anyone had any weird experiences with this medicine? Is there a chance it could've not been absorbed and I coughed it up and it made my mucus a dark color?

I just never imagined RSV would hit me like this. I had Covid really bad in 2022 and this almost feels worse.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 15, 2023

Good morning, atassi15. It's nice to meet you. About two weeks before my "maybe" RSV, I had the vaccine. I had most of the symptoms but in a very mild form. But my sister has had it, and she sounds like you with the cough that never goes away. Brown phlegm usually indicates an infection; from what I have seen, this is very common with RSV. Both my one-year-old gran-nephew and his Dad had to go on antibiotics along with other medications. Bacterial pneumonia is what they have now.

Perhaps it's time to see or talk to the doctor again to see if you have an infection.

In one of your past comments, I saw a brief sentence that RSV has ruined your life. How so?

Merry

REPLY
irene5 Irene Estes | @irene5 | Dec 16, 2023

I could cry reading your post. I did not have Covid thank you God, but have been slammed with RSV and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. I have serious lung issues which have made this more difficult. Just like you I thought it was gone - cruel joke- it came back with a vengeance. I was not treated with anything at our local hospital. Because of my other lung issues my UMASS doctors literally saved me. I was on cough syrup with codeine so I could finally sleep. I was also on prednisone and doxycycline for the bronchiolitis. My journey with RSV has been long - since around 10/18. The worst was around the end of the month but then again another “worst” in November ( middle). I have to use a prescription nebulizer twice daily now as well. I get violent morning headaches which come and go throughout the day. Excedrin is my best friend! I have had serious neck pain as well. I pray it will all go away, and I will wake up with only aspergillosis and MAC. As far as the yucky colored phlegm it could be from that pill or old blood . If it happens again call your doctor. I pray you will feel better soon. I am so sorry you contracted RSV. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone especially the elderly. Irene5

REPLY
1 reply
nla4625 | @nla4625 | Dec 17, 2023
In reply to @irene5 "I could cry reading your post. I did not have Covid thank you God, but have..." + (show)
@irene5

I could cry reading your post. I did not have Covid thank you God, but have been slammed with RSV and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. I have serious lung issues which have made this more difficult. Just like you I thought it was gone - cruel joke- it came back with a vengeance. I was not treated with anything at our local hospital. Because of my other lung issues my UMASS doctors literally saved me. I was on cough syrup with codeine so I could finally sleep. I was also on prednisone and doxycycline for the bronchiolitis. My journey with RSV has been long - since around 10/18. The worst was around the end of the month but then again another “worst” in November ( middle). I have to use a prescription nebulizer twice daily now as well. I get violent morning headaches which come and go throughout the day. Excedrin is my best friend! I have had serious neck pain as well. I pray it will all go away, and I will wake up with only aspergillosis and MAC. As far as the yucky colored phlegm it could be from that pill or old blood . If it happens again call your doctor. I pray you will feel better soon. I am so sorry you contracted RSV. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone especially the elderly. Irene5

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I'm SO sorry to hear what you are going through! Please be careful with Excedrin. I had debilitating headaches for two years after brain surgery and Excedrin was the only thing that helped. A few years ago I had two massive ulcer bleeds at the same time that I think were caused by the aspirin in Excedrin and regular aspirin I was taking when I had periodic chest pain. I honestly think I died during that experience, and the wonderful Mayo medical team at St Mary's Hospital brought me back to life. I hope you never have to experience that, so please be careful.

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1 reply
irene5 Irene Estes | @irene5 | Dec 17, 2023
In reply to @nla4625 "I'm SO sorry to hear what you are going through! Please be careful with Excedrin. I..." + (show)
@nla4625

I'm SO sorry to hear what you are going through! Please be careful with Excedrin. I had debilitating headaches for two years after brain surgery and Excedrin was the only thing that helped. A few years ago I had two massive ulcer bleeds at the same time that I think were caused by the aspirin in Excedrin and regular aspirin I was taking when I had periodic chest pain. I honestly think I died during that experience, and the wonderful Mayo medical team at St Mary's Hospital brought me back to life. I hope you never have to experience that, so please be careful.

Jump to this post

Thank you. I am aware of that which scares me. I have migraine medicine called Butalb , but I rarely take it because it is a narcotic. I will be careful. Irene5

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buddabu | @buddabu | Dec 18, 2023

I would call your doctor. It is possible you coughed up blood.

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