chest congestion before surgery!

I cannot believe after months and months of waiting for my resection/hysterectomy, I have this mucus producing chest congestion which I think might be bronchitis. I've been on antiobiotics since Thurs. First biaxin, switched to cipro because of huge tummy upset.

I am a little afraid to go through with my surgery with this near constant cough.

Any advice?

I don't know when your surgery is scheduled, but I'd definitely ask your doctor or surgeon before taking any other medications. I know a couple IBD'ers who've had problems with Mucinex. I'd hate to see your surgery have to be postponed because you took some OTC medication without asking.

Good luck,

Jan

I use Mucinex-D with no problems, but definitely check with your doctor first.

Talk to your surgeon.

I'll be honest; I was so adament that my surgery happen ASAP due to the pain I was dealing with but I had some major chest congestion going on pre-surgery. I didn't mention it to anyone. During Pre-Op, they took a chest xray and it wasn't anything serious but it was a hacking couch and pleghm (sp?).

Well, the anestesiogist was pretty concerned when he came over in the surgery wait area where they hook you up to everything. They listened several times, made me suck on my inhaler a couple of times prior, and we went forward (I'm asthmatic).

Let me tell you, I immediately regretted not getting that cough/congestion taken care of before the surgery because coughing with an open incision across your belly hurts like a word I can't post on this forum! It was awful. And of course, the respiratory person made me cough enough to get that mucus up and it was really painful.

Do what you can to get it cleared up prior so you're not dealing with that additional pain post-op. Make sure your surgeon knows. I know you're anxious to get it over and done with - I hope it clears up soon.

I agree with everyone else, get that cough undewr control. It's painful enough to cough when they make you cough, but you prepare with pillow and pain shot, thats what they did for me, but I was wide open surg. But when you're coughing with a cough, it will be painful to cough that much. I mean I realize we have to get that anastesia out of our lungs, I got pluricee(spelling?) and that was painful. by not c oughing enough

AG

I informed them that I'm still coughing. Surgery is tomorrow, so I'm doing bowel prep now, just in case they go through with it. They'll probably listen to my lungs again (which sounded good a few days ago) and do a chest xray.
If it's inflammation related, I expect prednisone will help. I have to go back on pred anyway.

If they cancel, I'll let you all know.
Please keep me in your prayers for tomorrow and recovery...