I've been tight in the chest and unable to breathe in deeply for three weeks now.
Three weeks ago, I woke up sick and fevered. Initially thought I had a 24 hour flu, but later that week, my breathing wasn't improving and I got another fever.
Went to the doctor, ruled out pneumonia, had high white blood cell count. He diagnosed bacterial bronchitis, put me on antibiotics, said I was good to run again as soon as I felt better.
Finished the prescription, still couldn't breathe in deeply. Was coughing a lot in the mornings, but not much during the day unless I got out of breath. Got a refill, took another week off running.
Today, I had felt physically better for some time, was almost finished with the 2nd round of antibiotics, and my breathing had gotten deeper, although still not 100%. After half a 12 minute mile, I was walking and my chest had closed back up.
Is this typical for bronchitis? Should I go back to the doctor or do I just have to wait for my lung capacity to come back? I occasionally had bronchitis or strep as a child, although never asthmatic, and seem to remember going back to school and playing after a few days of antibiotics, but can't remember ever having it as an adult before this. With three weeks of not running, I've totally ruined my training plans for an upcoming race and although I'm no longer fevered or sick feeling, it seems like no end is in sight with my breathing problems.