COPD (Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema)
If you start wheezing, coughing, get short of breath, or feel tightness in your chest, use your “rescue inhaler”
Atrovent
Albuterol
Proventil
Ventolin
ProAir
1-2 puffs every 15 minutes or your nebulizer until you feel better or for a maximum of 3 doses.
If you are not better after the 3rd dose, fill the prescription for the prednisone and take 40mg a day for 5 days. If you are also coughing up a lot of congestion and it is not clear and looks yellow, green, or tan, call my office to see if you also need an antibiotic to go along with the prednisone.
If you are still not better, even after 5 days of prednisone, call your PCP or report to Urgent Care.