Pneumonia and Pleurisy When does the pain go

[Englishbelle67]

Hello

Last Monday I felt unwell and had the shakes, but went into work. Thought I could shake it of Tuesday so went into work again. Still had the shakes and started sweating. My work colleague took me to a walkin centre and I was given Co-Amoxiclav 125mg and 30 mg of co-codamol. I was told I had a chest infection and the antibiotics would clear it up. Over the week my pain and breathing got progressively worse, so on Sunday I went to the hospital via the badger centre referral. After blood tests chest X-ray and an examination I was told I had had pneumonia and now I had pleurisy. I went home and have had complete bed rest but the pain doesn't seem to subside very much. It's not to bad when I have taken the 60mg co-codamol. My breathing is terrible if I have to move to the bathroom and even have pains when moving position in the bed. My question is when does this awful stabbing pains in my right shoulder, right lung from top to bottom go and I start breathing normally. I have never had a chest infection, I have been stopped smoking for the last 8 weeks, I haven't bought any nasty coloured phlegm it just constant pain. My oxygen level is currently at 91 when resting.

[knitter]

I have had pneumonia and pleurisy in the past and I know how painful it can be, but I think it would be a good idea to ring 111 for advice , if you live in the UK , or contact your GP first thing in the morning.

Best wishes

[Badbessie]

Both pneumonia and pleurisy can take a long while to get over. I would ring your GP you may need a different Antibiotic or a combination of antibiotics.

[watergazer]

Hi there englishbelle. I had pneumonia and pleurisy and yes it's really painful. Check with your GP as you may need a combination of antibiotics and painkillers. I know I was on about 28 tablets a day at first - 2 different antibiotics and co- codomal and ibruprofen 500. I stayed on the painkillers for ages. Took a while to recover - maybe as I was 50+. also I used to have a hot water bottle with me all the time and a pillow which I put where the pain was - mine was my left side- and they helped me enormously.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

[peege]

Ouch poor you. I had both at the same time too. It's so terribly painful. Mine was way worse than appendicitis. I think the pain in a 'normal' pleurisy should start to subside a bit within two weeks. Don't hesitate to go back to the doc, it's quite likely you'll need more than a week on antibiotics to clear the pneumonia (there are different pneumonia bugs too). I can't emphasise enough on how important it is to keep going to doc until you're better, for your future lung health. At the very least it needs to be on your medical records.

It's tricky with the O2 levels when the pain won't allow you to get a deep breath in to raise it. Try deep diaphragm breathing whilst the painkillers are working.

Well done your work colleague for getting you to the hospital. Different lung ailments have different sounds to be heard through the stethoscope so they can hear pleurisy very well.

It can take several weeks to recover fully, you can't rush it. I had pneumonia 5 times and finally had the pneumonia jab in 2013. Personally, I'd recommend taking a very high probiotic capsule, 30-50 billion, daily for at least a month to help your body recover also loads of extra vitamins to rebuild your immune system.

Over on top right of this page you'll see a list of old posts with useful replies on this topic. P

[Englishbelle67]

Thank you all for your comments. I was admitted to hospital on 12th July and was diagnosed with bi lateral pneumonia and low iron. I was given four lots of antibiotics, lung aspiration, oral morphine and 2 iron infusions. Eventually my breathing became less painful and I was allowed home on 21st July. I have just return from a short break in Wales where my mom and aunts took good care of me. Seems the Welsh air has done me the world of good. Going back to work on Monday as feel so much better, will take it easy and definitely take fresh air breaks.

Thank you for taking time to read my post.

[mrsmummy in reply to Englishbelle67]

I'm glad to hear things are so much better.