Pneumonia, empyema, pleural effusion and anaemia 8 months later

[Momolly]

Hi,

I’ve been reading on here and decided to post as not sure what else to do, beginning to feel like a nuisance to my doctors.

I was diagnosed with pneumonia whilst in Lanzarote 31st Dec 2017 and was admitted to intensive care over there and treated with IV antibiotics. I wasn’t getting any better and as we had our children with us, I (somehow) discharged myself and flew home on 5th Jan 2018 to be readmitted to hospital in Uk on 8th Jan. I was treated with oxygen, IV antibiotics and painkillers. I had a CT scan and was told I had empyema and pleural effusion/loculation. They tried to drain my lung twice and couldn’t. Next step was to have the radiology team drain it or find a thoracic surgeon to drain it. First however I needed a blood transfusion as my HB count had dropped to 6.3 whilst I’d been ill. Before that happened I was moved to another hospital in the area due to a shortage of beds and they gave me the blood transfusion but decided against attempting to drain any fluid. I was discharged from there on 15th of January with my GP monitoring my bloods etc. I was then prescribed another 4 weeks of oral antibiotics as my CRP and ESR levels were creeping up again. That seemed to finally sort out the infection although the pain has never left me and has gotten worse the last couple of months. I never found a cause for my anaemia but it has dropped again since and am still on iron tablets, folic acid and b12. I’ve been sent back to a&e since then and they found my X-ray to be normal. I’m still in pain, I have a burning pain around my chest and back that the strongest painkillers don’t touch, I feel exhausted and nauseous all the time but doctors don’t seem interested anymore and I feel like I’m a nuisance. I have young children and am still off work sick, I need to get back to normal but don’t know how I can. I’m currently waiting for hospital appointments for camera investigations into the anaemia even though no symptoms of any internal bleeding. Has anyone had anything similar happen? Is it normal to be in this much pain so long afterwards?

[Tilantoe]

I don't know what meds. You are on but it could be the cause of your pain and nausea.

[Momolly in reply to Tilantoe]

Hi Tilantoe, I take folic acid, ferrous sulphate, dihydracodeine 120mg and b12 injections. I’ve had the pain and nausea before any of these though and the pain has worsened despite the painkillers increasing. I was taking Naproxen 500mg but told to stop this few months ago in case causing stomach issues.

[KempSarah]

My partner had an empyema in January 2019 which was drained successfully. However, he is still in chronic pain that doesn't go away and has been told by two consultants that there is nothing more they can do for him. It's "lesions" that have been left behind from the empyema apparently. I am looking for some help as he really can't live the rest of his life in so much pain......any advice much appreciated (eg best NHS consultant to see, any tips etc)