"Caught bronchitis - it ended up good for me. " Topic

About a week or so after I got back from a Lake Shasta vacation, I started feeling fatigued; no energy, having night sweats once or twice a week, a persistent cough that brought up nothing, sometimes headache, low grade fever.

My immune system is normally killer. I am almost 50yrs old, not on any medication for anything; it is one of the few genetic things I have going for me. I heal quickly from cuts, am difficult to bruise, rarely get sick (maybe once every other year), so I am used to pounding the vitamin C and letting my body do what it does best. But this thing would not go away. After two-plus weeks I went in to see my doctor. I thought by the symptoms and how long it was hanging on, Walking Pneumonia.

She said nope. Even though the symptoms do not fit, "bronchitis," and gave me some antibiotics and other meds for the cough.

So after a while it went away, and I am fine now.

But during the extended timeframe of that sickness & recovery, I got off my daily Diet Coke and have been drinking water and natural (non-fructose) juices.

That is a HUGE thing, because I drank Diet Coke pretty exclusively daily and rarely drank ANY water or juice or milk (I never got into coffee.)

So, I am off the daily diet cola and the constant caffeine dosage that goes with it. For over two months now.

Yea, me!

Good for you, Mardaddy!

Beginning just this past Friday, I made the decision to lay off the sodas. All of what I drank was caffeine-free (7 Up, Sprite, ginger ale, root beer, and the caffeine-less choices of Dr Pepper and Pepsi), but I always had plenty of ice to water it down. And I would usually finish my cup of leftover ice with plenty of water. I'd like to see just how far I can ride this, as I always give up soda during Lent.

Now, water I drink constantly, especially after meals. I've been doing this for fourteen years now, and for me, it's not only a healthy habit to acquire, but it also cleanses the palete, as well as gives your digestive system that extra "oomph" to help break down the food you eat and better deliver the nutrients throughout your body. And you'll also rid your waste much, much easier and more frequently. You'll more than likely never need to take a laxative once you increase your water intake!

I never acquired a taste for coffee, but I like tea, as well as juices and skim milk.

Mardaddy, it sounds like you're at the beginning of a healthy lifestyle that can only get better. Good luck to you!

Did the same thing some time back and feel MUCH better for it. Used to have a Coke or Pepsi on my desk all the time. Now its just plain ole water or juice. Better for you (and cheaper!).

Sorry you had to go through all that (I've had bronchitis too), but congratulations on breaking your soda habit.

I think my wife might have had that too recently. Doc put her on a steroid inhaler and antibiotics.