pleurisy

[Mia1000]

I was diagnosed with lung infection a month ago. Two courses of antibiotics. Doctor said it’s cleared.,only to become so I’ll ten days ago ,deep cough stabbing pain in my side ribs and chest.

Now I have pleurisy. On fourth course antibiotics. Had X-ray ,waiting result .

prior to that 11 weeks ago I’m now on angina medication,waiting on angiagram in July .

I don’t understand how Iv got pleurisy though? Is it because my resistance low just now. I’m 66 y old , female,went to gym /swam ect. Now I’m sitting around the house trying to get well .. 🫣

[ChrissieMons]

Pleurisy, like most infections, comes out of nowhere. It is nothing you have done or not done. Get in touch with your GP if your symptoms get any worse as you may need a brief stay in hospital.

[Bevvy]

unfortunately I have had pleurisy several times. On each occasion there has been nothing preceding it, so please get it out of your mind that you can have done something to avoid this. What I would say is that the very first time I had pleurisy I was extremely unwell for a number of months. That occasion has led to my becoming more susceptible to chest infections. I believe bugs and viruses find a weak spot in the body and head for that!

What you now need to concentrate on is becoming better. Your body is going through a lot so it important to rest as much as possible. Also eat as healthily as possible. You probably won’t be up to cooking meals but use fresh fruit and vegetables to aid your recovery. Sometimes when I have been very unwell I struggle to eat and I make my own smoothies to get food into me. For example I make banana smoothies from milk, bananas and honey which is full of vitamins.

Because you have taken lots of antibiotics I would eat live yogurt to replace the good bacteria that the antibiotics have destroyed. I have no idea if that helps but at least it feels like I am doing something.

I have noticed that you mention taking antibiotics but you don’t mention steroids. Really you should be taking steroids to reduce inflammation.

Finally although it sounds scary to have pleurisy remember it’s just another word for chest infection. Pleurisy just means that the infection is in that part of the lung. Try not to worry and feel free to ask any questions.