Attended A and E yesterday and xray showed I have "fluid" in plural cavity again

[DLFC]

Hi. I have been home from hospital for 12 days following pneumonia, sepsis, and an empyema. My xray before I was discharged was clear. I just finished my oral antibiotics yesterday morning. 2 nights ago I noticed the pain my ribs on my right side had returned, so I went to a and e yesterday just to be safe... I was expecting to be told that this was all just past of the healing process. But following an xray the nurse told me the fluid has returned. I have no other symptoms so it's not infected. The pain at this point is only when I take really deep breaths in and doesn't require any pain killers (yet!). But this is exactly how I felt in the build up to the worst pain I have ever felt in my life, leading to my eventually being diagnosed with the empyema.

The nurse said there is nothing they can do, told me to rest, do breathing exercises and stay away from sick people. To go back to a and e if I get any other symptoms.

So I'm sitting here just waiting for the fluid to build up, or become infected. I have an appointment with my consultant on Monday.

So I suppose my question is.. Can plural effusions go away on their own? And is there anything I can do to help that process?

Thanks

[skischool]

Your consultant may arrange for the fluid to be drained off,a fairly simple procedure but it may mean being hospitalised for a couple of days again.good luck and it is good that you are seeing your consultant so quickly which bodes well for early intervention to put you back on the recovery road.

[DLFC in reply to skischool]

I was told yesterday there is too little to drain.

[skischool in reply to DLFC]

Hopefully that is a good sign and only time will see the passing of the residue,i am sure you consultant will reassure you.

[DLFC in reply to skischool]

I really hope so. After everything else I am just sitting here waiting on it to become infected 🙄

[JANET127]

Hello..You sure have been thru a lot! I don't know if this is different than what you get? or what. I have emphysema and also Heart Problems. I have Congestive Heart Faulure. So a few years ago I started filling up with water. 27 lbs of water was in my legs..belly...and around my lungs and heart. The Hospital drained it. Then gave me a pill to take daily so it won't happen again! I also take water pills along with this one! Never filled up again! Janet127

[Ergendl]

What breathing exercises did the nurse tell you to do? They can help remove the fluid because of the 'muscle pump' effect. So there is something you can do to help improve your situation.

[DLFC in reply to Ergendl]

She just said to take big deep exaggerated breaths. So I'm trying to do it every hour, well when I am awake. Breath in.. Hold for 10 seconds, breath out x3.

[Perrythomas]

Had this a few Months ago- check you don’t need antibiotics x

[DLFC in reply to Perrythomas]

I'm not showing any signs of infection and neither are my bloods at this time.

[Ergendl]

Look up diaphragm exercises on YouTube. Basically, make sure when you breathe in, your abdomen expands as well as your ribs, so that you're using the lower part of your lungs as well as the upper part. Good luck.