Fatigue after pneumonia

[Lizbaye]

Has anyone had a similar experience? I am a fit 58 year old primary school teacher. I was in hospital for a week at the beginning of October with sepsis and pneumonia. Though I’m feeling much better than I was, I now have no stamina and get very tired easily.... eg I meet a friend for coffee and a chat and am totally wiped out for the rest of the day! I’m finding this very frustrating and just want to be fit and well again. I would normally have lots of energy, go for long walks, work full time so this is definitely not normal..... need some reassurance that this does improve and life will get back to normal!

[Hidden]

It takes weeks and weeks to get your energy and stamina back after pneumonia. You just need to be patient and kind to yourself. Eat well, rest a lot and slowly build up your activity as your energy and stamina returns.

[crashdoll]

The combination of sepsis and pneumonia can wipe you out. It takes a while to get back to normal. It should happen but it’s still really early days for you. Take it easy, pace yourself and you’ll improve. Take care.

[2greys]

Yes it does improve, I had exactly the same, pneumonia with septicemia, admitted on the 8th august at 9 am and discharged in the evening of the 10th of August, 9pm. A big "but", I have been working full time as a production engineer since diagnosis of severe Emphysema for the last three and a half years and exercised religiously as well during that time, I also have taken supplementary vitamins D3 and K2 -mk7 as well. Whilst in hospital I forced myself to walk the corridors to keep up the exercise as much as I could, several times.

Fatigue for me is now only when on rest days, not working and occupied. On my days of not working, then yes I still find myself "dropping off" during those rest days.

Tomorrow I go for an X-Ray and bloods to make sure that I am clear of the infection. I am very , very lucky to have got away so lightly. Pneumonia is a serious and sometimes fatal condition.

I also went on a sailing holiday, on a yacht, to the Norfolck Broads for a week from the 12th to the 19th of October, one day after being discharged, but that is another exceptional story entirely, one that I will soon post, and one you must not to take to heart, regarding your own situation. As I said, I was extremely lucky and it could have very easily ended up so differently if I had not received the diagnosis and the proper treatment as early as I did.

So yes, you will improve, but it will take time, the only advice I can give is to exercise as much as you can manage comfortably and use deep breathing exercises. I am under no illusion that I am still in the process of recovery, despite returning to work, under my own phased process. Take it all in your own stride, you will get there eventually.

[watergazer]

Hi Lizbaye- I was a fit 50 year old primary school teacher when I got pneumonia and pleurisy and it took me more than a term to recover well enough to go back to work . I had all of the spring term off as I was like yourself not able to do any thing. I started being ill at the end of September with small infections which kept reoccurring until in early December the pneumonia hit me. I lost loads of weight and slept all the time. Take things slowly and don't expect to recover quickly also my doctors had me going back for chest x rays and finally a scan. You don't say if you have had follow up x rays. Take care .x Anita

[Tetrazzini]

It takes time - some people lomger than others. Just take it easy and let it improve in its own time. Best wishes for a speedy recovery./

[peege]

Hi, welcome to the BLF forum.

As others say it can take absolutely ages to get back to your normal after pneumonia - let alone septicemia as well. Both are life threatening illnesses don't forget.

I was in my 50s for my 1st bout of pluerisy & pneumonia. Like you I was very fit with loads of energy, only had mild asthma which was only ever a problem climbing steep hills or during my Christmas chest infection (which I didn't even bother going to gp for) I always took annual leave from Xmas to New Year to spend time with the kids and always & promptly came down with what I called bronchitis. Always went straight back to work, rarely a sick day.

Within less than 2 years I had another 4 bouts of pneumonia before the respiratory nurse noticed I hadn't had the pneumonia vaccine - yes there is one and I'd advise you to have it asap as well as annual flu jab.

This is my personal advice based on my experience: your immune system will be shot to pieces so do everything you can to restore it ie an excellent tonic, vitamins, minerals, healthy weight, very healthy restorative diet, eat little and often. I make a large pan of chunky veg soup, freeze portions. I'm not vegetarian so use stock from chicken bones (my local natural grocer sell bags of free range chicken carcasses @ 90p).

Sorry for long reply but I wouldn't wish anyone to go though what I did over several years culminating in bronchiectasis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - CFS. For the latter I've found Ubiquinol has helped enormously with energy levels.

If you don't want to do any of the above then if you just take a high dose of Vitamin D3 daily and loads of vitamin C.

Good luck, I'll gladly private message you a list of what I take bearing in mind I'm further down the line to you. To ensure I don't over do supplements & vitamins I have a little book by a renowned nutritionist Angela Dowden (no relation) I think it's The Pocket Book of Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements, advises top daily doses, contraindications and who shouldn't take what & why.

One last thing, don't hesitate to go to gp with any concerns about the lungs, after what you've had you'll get a same day appointment. Peege

[hallentine47]

It took me months after Pnuemonia which took me into ICU for 19days. We all underestimate Pnuemonia for some reason. Take it easy and have patience wih yourself.

[Redrum46]

Same hear a virus in September on top of my bronhiectisis as left me the same it’s 3 months I’m only starting to feel a bit better but I remember a consultant saying to me years ago it takes in a fit person 2 to 4 months to leave your body so don’t worry you will get there

[Offcut]

Your body has had a big shock and been attacked at the most serious of ways. So the body will be using as much of your energy to repair and replace what it has lost. I lost 3.5 stone of mainly muscle mass when I was in ICU for 32 days . I have never got my shoulders back to what they were. It does take a long time but you need to know when to say to yourself when to stop and rest.

Be well

[powderpuff]

The fatigue will improve, usually very slowly however & the more you try to speed up recovery the longer it can take. I was told 6 months for full recovery & that’s pretty much what it took & I don’t really believe that 1 year on from pneumonia that my stamina levels have yet returned to normal.

Really, the advice is rest, rest, rest at the same time doing the gentlest of exercise when you feel able. Eat/ drink as well as you can & if you do go out in the cold wrap up well with a scarf around your mouth to warm up the air you inhale.

Four months into my recovery I had a mild recurrence so be vigilant!

Take care & keep warm!