rash, light-headed

[sl4439]

a month ago I started out witha rash, then running nose, post nasal drip, eyes watering, wheezing in my chest..horrible cough.  I went to the doctor got zpack steriod shot ..steriod medcine, advair and another inhaler. I also had a breathing treatment that did not do much..was still wheezing and very light-headed.  I am a 2 pack a day smoker.  After 3 weeks finally got down to light-headed and cough.  Now the rash has come back.....what could be the cause???

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

How are you? The hoarseness may be due to your  smoking history. Other possible causes are: allergies, viral or bacterial infection, acid reflux, and even vocal abuse. You need to rest your voice. Discuss this with your doctor on your follow-up appointment and he may need to refer you to an otolaryngologist or ENT to evaluate the choking episodes.

Take care and regards.

[sl4439]

Sorry one more thing.  I seem to have a very hoarse voice if I talk very much and I keep swallowing down the wrong windpipe and choking ..
Thanks again
sl4439

[sl4439]

Hi,
Well the Doctor put me on stronger medicine and more steriods and
I finally have a little relief.  Whenever I get tired I still break out in a rash.
Still have a cough but somewhat better, the cough is worse than when I got sick.  I still have some pain sometimes in my upper side (left) when
I breath. I get out of breath easily now and sometimes things that use to
not effect me makes my face turn red and I start sweating.  I am just so darn tired all the time.  Thanks for you last posting
Regards  -sl4439

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

A viral or bacterial  infection could cause some of the symptoms you mentioned such as running nose, post nasal drip, eyes watering and rash. Do you have history of allergies? Can you elaborate more on the rash description?  It is important to rule out allergic reaction to some substances, since this could also be a differential. Keep the area of the rash clean and dry. Avoid scratching to prevent secondary infection. A complete medical history  and physical examination as well as chest x-ray and complete blood test would help in reaching a diagnosis. If your condition persists, it would be best to have it evaluated by your doctor.

It is also important to note that with your history of smoking, your cough, if not related to the infectious process, could be a smoker's cough, which is a kind of cough seen especially in smokers. Cigarette smoke destroys or paralyses cilia in the respiratory tract, so the only way that phlegm can be removed is via coughing.

Take care and keep us posted.