Dxed with laryngotrachebronchitis (croup), but doctor said "it's not croup"?

Hi, I've been having trouble breathing, especially while laying down. Last night I went into the ER again (2nd time this week!) for this problem. I thought it was my asthma, but my lungs sounded okay and the nebulizer didn't help much anyhow. The doctor said where it's worse lying down, I'm OK (not perfect but it's alright enough where I don't have to be in a hospital) sitting up, and it's better in the cooler air, that it was some sort of airway obstruction and swelling. She said that the airway swelling/obstruction was probably caused by the irritation from a sinus infection dripping down the back of my throat. For treatment I was given steroids (Decadron), and I was told there was some special nebulizer treatment that they only do in the hospital (epinephrine maybe?), and if I needed it to come back in and they'd give it to me. Also, I'm supposed to sleep sitting up.

Does this sound like a reasonable diagnosis?

The term "croup" is usually used for children from the sound they make when they cough. If you have a sinus infection, why didn't they give you an antibiotic? Sound like, from the diagnosis, that you have a dilly of a case of post-nasal drip, which does allow the phlegm to drain into your throat and lungs when you are lying down and you feel like the dickens when you wake up. I have had this and, sleeping with more pillows to raise your head has given me a lot of relief. If this doesn't go away, get to your doctor. The stuff in the breathing treatments is albuterol and saline....you might want to ask your doctor for a Rx for a nebulizer for home so if you have any coughing bouts, you can handle it yourself. That's what I did and I not only feel better, but don't worry about an attack because I know I can help it. Good luck!

Sinus infections do not require antibiotics unless they become chronic (ie. more than 30 days). This is because most sinus infections are caused by viruses and simple decongestants relieve the congestion and lead to resolution of the infection. Report It

What it sounds like you have is a respiratory tract infection, likely a viral one. Antibiotics are unlikely to work. It probably is a combination of a simple cold with bronchitis affecting the lower airways and worsening your asthma.

However if you are having trouble breathing when sleeping it could suggest different things. It is likely still the bronchitis and the post-nasal drip irritating things sounds like a reasonable explanation. Another concern would be something like congestive heart failure and the symptoms not being an infection but something related to your heart.

You can sleep with several pillows under your head to prop it up a bit. Follow-up with your regular doctor instead of going to the ER unless you truly have difficulty breathing or develop discomfort in the chest and are at risk for heart disease. When you go to the ER each time, you likely get different doctors who see you for that one time and have to try to base your case on just what they see that one time. Your regular physician, who you see more often, may have a better idea as to what kind of symptoms you've had over time and to see if there is a specific pattern developing that may suggest something with the heart as opposed to just an infection.