How can I keep a head cold from becoming a chest cold?

Posted by eileen86 @eileen86, Aug 22 9:57am

I got a head cold from my 4 year old germ factory granddaughter. I absolutely don’t want this to turn into a chest cold. Aside from resting and drinking fluids is there anything you all can recommend? The cold started yesterday and already it feels like it is making inroads into my chest. I have MAC as well as bronchiectasis so some treatments may be inappropriate for me. I nebulize with Arikayce daily. Many thanks!

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 22 2:43pm

@eileen86 When this has happened to me, I have doubled or tripled my saline nebulizing, and managed to spare my lungs. I am also a big user of Cold Calm, a homeopathic - I feel it helps, but don't know what the science says.
That said, my pulmonologist has a "rescue plan" for me - if I am still getting worse on Day4, I start prednisone. If I don't "turn the corner" by Day 7, we start antibiotics. So far, in over 3 years, I have only gone to the antibiotic stage once.

Do you have a rescue plan?

eileen86 | @eileen86 | Aug 22 3:47pm

In reply to @sueinmn "@eileen86 When this has happened to me, I have doubled or tripled my saline nebulizing, and..." + (show)

Thanks so much, @sueinmn. I don’t have a rescue plan per se, but my doctor is very good about getting back to me when I think there is trouble brewing. I see him on Thursday for a regular appointment. But I won’t wait until then if something begins to get worse.

I only nebulize Arikayce, nothing else at present. I’m on the Big Three for the second time.

Thanks, Sue!

annagh | @annagh | Aug 23 12:25pm

At some point before my bronchiectasis diagnosis, I stopped getting headcolds at all—big sign of something being not right! Every germ went straight to my chest. At the first sign of anything I drink hot liquids constantly, make sure I’m resting, and as Sue said, increase the nebulizing. I’ve heard that germs don’t do well with heat, which is why the body fights infections with fever. I also try to turn the thoughts, of “Oh no! I’m getting sick!” to “I can take care of myself here. I don’t have to get sick if I don’t want to.” I think that helps lower the stress threshhold, which is always helpful.
Anna

bronchiectasaurus | @bronchiectasaurus | Aug 23 5:07pm

I mask in public and do everything I can to avoid exposure now, so haven't had to deal with this yet. However, my plan for if/when I do get a respiratory infection is:
1. Up my daily saline (7%) nebulizing to 2-3 times per day
2. Nasal lavage (NielMed squeeze bottle, distilled water & salt packet) 2-3 times a day
Plus the usual rest and fluids.

Saline nebulizing and nasal lavage are tools I didn't have before my bronchiectasis diagnosis. They've made a huge difference since.

eileen86 | @eileen86 | Aug 23 8:06pm

In reply to @annagh "At some point before my bronchiectasis diagnosis, I stopped getting headcolds at all—big sign of something..." + (show)

@annagh thanks! I love your approach of trying to calm your mind and body in addition to medical ideas.

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