Asthma Attack followed by Chest Infection and Pleurisy

[ChrisR65]

I really value the comments on this site.

Just over 2 weeks ago I had a hacking dry cough, temperature and bad wheezing so took 3 days off work and saw the GP.

He gave me antibiotics and prednisolone.

That same evening I had an asthma attack and paramedics came out and administered a nebuliser that helped considerably but I had severe pain in my left rib cage.

On Saturday the coughing continued and the pain in my rib cage was agonising. I felt as though something was tearing under my rib cage and had to hold my ribs every time I coughed.

Ambulance came and went to hospital.

Dr diagnosed pleurisy and sent me home with painkillers.

I saw Asthma nurse and GP on Thursday and given more prednisolone but no further antibiotics.

The pain in my rib cage continues and the only relief is a hot water bottle held over my rib cage all day and night.

I can’t take ibuprofen or other strong painkillers as they cause me to have stomach bleeds.

Any advice or views welcome.

[risabel59]

I think it’s now Tuesday. You should go back to the doctor if you’re not getting better. I would also ring Asthma uk helpline.

Sounds horrid

R

[jabber]

Good advice to phone the Asthma UK Helpline (0300 222 5800) for advice and reassurance.

Can you take paracetamol? That might ease the pain a little. I find a big V-shaped pillow is very comfortable when I'm having a lot of chest pain. I seem to be better able to position it where I need it than I can with an ordinary pillow. Apart from that be kind to yourself - it can take a while for the pain from pleurisy to go away. Keep going with the hot water bottles and rest as much as you can.

I do hope you start feeling better very soon. Good luck, Jan

[Tugun]

Hi,

You don't mention if you had an x-ray or ultra-sound. Sometimes extreme coughing can crack a rib which can apparently -according to the Mayo Clinic website- show up better with an ultrasound. Regardless of whether it is cracked or not there is not much they can do other than It's important to obtain adequate pain relief — "if it hurts to breathe deeply, you may develop pneumonia. If oral medications don't help enough, your doctor might suggest injections of long-lasting anesthesia around the nerves that supply the ribs."(Mayo Clinic Website)

Check with your doctor. I have had a friend crack their rib from excessive coughing. It takes a few weeks to recover.

[ChrisR65 in reply to Tugun]

Thank you Tugun

I see Dr again tomorrow - had an XRay in February when I had a chest infection but not this time - will ask

[Tugun in reply to ChrisR65]

Hi Chris,

Hope everything went smoothly and you are getting better!