Problems after Phomonia and Pleurisy

[janine-alderney]

Hi all

I am a 61 woman who up until three years ago i would say was quite fit.

I then contracted Phumonia and Pleurisy and my lung became 3/4 full of fluid that became septic due to a delayed diagnosis of several months. The fluid was removed over a few days in hospital.

Over the following two years I had long spells off work and my employers and i decided that to be fair to both parties I should give up work. I now have to pay an unemployed contribution each month and get no benefits.

I am fine most of the summer and swim daily but the other months I contract chest infections especially during damp weather.

I have one now just from walking on the beach and getting caught in the drizzle last week. My breathing becomes bad and I have an awful job coughing up phlegm. Ibalso have low fatigue during these times.

I tend to self medicate and take Salbutamol on an hourly basis due to the cost of doctors and i don't want to be given antibiotic all the time. I find this all frustrating and have never really been told why I have this on going problem only that ther could be scar tissue.

My hubby is amazing but I feel guilty being ill.

Has anyone else had these problems after Phomonia and Pleurisy and if so have you any tips for me please.

First time I have joined such a forum so thank you.

[knitter]

It was pleurisy and pneumonia which seemed to switch on my asthma and now COPD ....have you not been offered a preventer inhaler as well as the Ventolin ?

[cofdrop-UK]

I would think you need to go back to the doctor. Taking Salbutamol hourly seems very excessive. I appreciate finances restrict things but they may be able to replace your Salbutamol with a more long term inhaler.

Good luck.

cx