Much needed desperate help following pneumonia.

[carolg1]

Hi my lovely friends I’m out of hospital with the pneumonia apparently it will take weeks for it to subside this I can take but the mornings have changed so drastically scary on waking up I am so pressured wheezy I can barely move without gasping I can only move a couple of steps at a time, it’s taking me about four hours to move air and tiny bits of mucus up thro my chest and out, I go on my new with salbutamol before I start to move and try to blow out as much as I can to try and clear it’s as if I’m pumping bottom of my right lung up, it’s a dull painfull pressure like a veil over my airways trying to breath thro a straw any help please , one day soon I hope I can put you a nice post saying what a decent day I’m having..,,,,, thanks my friends xx

[2greys]

Are you taking mucus thinners such as carbocisteine? If you are then try re-timing your doses around with the last dose of the day to bedtime /just before you go to sleep.

If you are not taking them, go to your GP tell him your account and suggest they be prescribed to you.

I have optimised my last dose of carbocisteine to bedtimes. It does not eliminate the problem but does making it shift a lot, lot easier

[carolg1 in reply to 2greys]

Thanks 2 greys I am on them so I will try and. Take last does a bit later, it’s just so stubborn like one particular chunk flapping and pressing on a spot like a nerve that effects my breathing really weird , thanks x

[Hidden]

Oh dear Carol, I hope you didn’t leave too soon. Are you getting home visits from the GP or nurse? If you are worried phone your surgery. Also BLF helpine should help.

Are you still on antibiotics and steroids? That should help.

Take good care of yourself x

Fran 🌼

[carolg1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks fran , I’m phoning district nurse in the morning to see what she has to say 🙄xx

[Hidden in reply to carolg1]

Good idea Carol 😊xx

[sassy59]

I just want to send lots of hugs and good wishes to you Carol and hope things improve. It will take time but don’t be afraid to ring your GP, 111 or 999 if needs be. Xxxxxx

[mas7656]

Sorry to hear you're having a bad time 💕

[carolg1 in reply to mas7656]

Thanks mas it has been the worst 9months of my life and the longest winter which has beaten me to a pulp ...., sorry rambling but I’m not a happy bunny at all.. take care xx

[mas7656]

I know the feeling very well . Stay strong 💕

[GMcC2]

Wishing you well & hoping you feel a bit better soon. I've had recurrent pneumonia since end of February and had it 12 months before that bout. Every time I think I'm getting a bit better, bam, it's back. I really feel your pain! I've just had a CT scan so awaiting results. It takes such a long time to recover. Take it easy.

[Aussie13]

Hi Carolg1, you don't say but are you having salbutamol 4 times a day by nebuliser? if not it is worth a try. Also just plain isotonic saline between the salbutamol doses may help to break up the mucus - see what the nurse/GP says.

[donut43]

As 2greys says carbocistine may help you. Try flutterball and aquapella and the breathing ideas on BLF site. Keep continuous contact with GP explaining your situation . Get him to put you in touch with a RESP team they are very helpful and supportive. Good luck to you.

Dan

[Hacienda]

Hi Carol, When I was the same as you, I didn't have this Forum to Help me. Everyone here has given you excellent advise. I feel for you, I can only say that you will get through this and try and be referred to REHAB, There Breathing Techniques to get the Mucus up is widely Used.. The Huff. I swear by my RESP Team. Good Luck Hun. XXXX

[soulsaver]

Sounds like over inflating and/or mucus plugs.

You've not forgotten pursed lip & diaphragm breathing?

Hope you feel better soon.

Best wishes.

[Shirleyj]

It takes ages to get over pnuemonia, obviously try to get the junk off your lungs. My doctor saw me every week when I came out of hospital with pnuemonia, also had regular blood tests and x rays to keep a check on my lungs. So make sure you let your doctor know how you feel, sounds like you still need help. Be kind to yourself, there is no need to rush around, keep propped up in bed, this will help with congestion. Make sure you drink plenty and eat plenty of fruit and veg.

hope you start to pick up soon, take care x x

[Mavary]

Hi Carolg1

I too have just had pneumonia. I was waking in the night and first thing in the morning and like you and couldn’t breathe very well. It feels like you are going to suffocate. It’s like you say you feel like there is a veil over your breathing tube. I even had a job to inhale my ventolin. I remember on a few of occasions I felt quite panicky. I came out of hospital eleven days ago. I still wake in the morning feeling I can’t breathe in very well but it’s better than it has been. I was sitting up on three pillows to sleep and then waking with a bad neck. I first started with this nearly six weeks ago. I’m still very weak and a little breathless and can only do things in short bursts. The Consultant told me to not do anything for six weeks and that was from eleven days ago. The point I’m trying to make is it’s going to take a long time. I feel that I moan about nothing when I see how bad you are suffering but just to compare notes can be good. If you feel things are too bad or getting worse either get in touch with your Dr or ring 999 and get yourself back into hospital. That’s what I was told to do. Hope your feeling better soon.

[Badbessie]

From my own experience I think you may be optimistic about your recovery following pneumonia I feel it may take more than a few weeks. Important thing is rest. Make sure you are as upright as possible and supported. When I first came out of hospital I found some gentle exercises that I could do sitting down. There are some good ones on YouTube. A good diet with plenty of fluids will help. Above all do not push yourself to much. Prioritise what needs to be done and very gradually build yourself up.

[Linnie13]

Hi carol , I had pneumonia over Christmas , and I'm still bringing mucus up , but they found I had hypersensitivity pnuemotitious brought on by something in the environment maybe birds , but I had been getting treated for reflux for years at hospital , when I told them time and time again that I didn't have reflux, so make sure you get looked after properly xx

[carolg1 in reply to Linnie13]

Hi Linnie, they have been treating me for reflux for a few years yet after camera down said I had only mild , but the mucus coming up was relentless I’ve had numerous chest infections many not really identified from samples given, but since the pneumonia the mucus has got less but it’s also got thicker and painful at the bottom of my right lung compromising my breathing at that side, what where or are your symptoms, I do hope you found the answer it is absolutely terrifying and ruining what life I have left in my I’m trying to budge it all day long so wearing me out xxthanks for replying

[Linnie13 in reply to carolg1]

Yes I've had mucus ,and pain , but hopefully I'm on the mend, you must speak to your doctor for reassurance good luck keep in touch

[carolg1]

Thankyou all for your kind replies once again taking a little fear out of my life and some good advice xxx

[Izb1]

Sorry to hear you are poorly Carol, cant advise as I have never had pneumonia, all i can say is rest and take good care of yourself. Hope you get better soon. Irene x