Sore breathing in/out and short of breath for 10wks not covid

[Nad288]

Hi all 👋🏻 I was wondering if anyone has been in similar situation as me? Slightly long post so please excuse.... I took a head cold on 31st August, cough, runny nose headache sore throat and felt it moving to my chest. Few days later chest was heavy and was coughing up some phlegm and felt like a stack of books was put on my chest. Gp prescribed amoxicillin for a week and didn’t feel any better and sore. One night I felt very short of breath, tightness and pain so went to a&e. Oxygen and blood pressure and temp normal and X-ray showed very mild infection at bottom of right lung (29th sept last day of amoxicillin) so got steroids and doxycycline and still felt worse when that course ended so phoned gp and they prescribed 5 day clarithromycin. Felt the heaviness lift for the first time and felt better the first 2 days but then it felt like I couldn’t get proper breaths, chest pain, sore breathing in and out and like the antibiotic had stopped working. Went back to a&e 10th October after my last clarithromycin and the doctor told me it had to be viral and will go away soon..... it’s now 8th November and chest still feels like stack of books sitting on me, sore breathing in, breathing out and sore yawning and can’t get deep breath and short of breath that comes and goes. My gp has sent a referral to ent as my throat has been red and sore swallowing on and off for 6weeks with no sign of change in redness but I’m not sure if they can help with my breathing. I feel that I might still have an infection or need a second X-ray to compare to the one 29th sept but a&e said no need as viral and gp won’t try another antibiotic. 2 negative covid tests and dry cough but sometimes green phlegm and rare speck of blood. Get so down with it I cry. No energy and just not me. My daughter is 7 and struggle to do normal activities with her due to pain and breathing issues and pain now around shoulder blades and I think ribs too. Gp ruled out asthma. It’ll be 10weeks on Monday since first took unwell and want to know if anyone has had a virus or infection last this long? And antibiotics haven’t fully worked? I’ve also had normal blood pressure and oxygen finger thing and no temperature. Sorry for the long post but just wanted to explain as much as possible what’s been going on to get advice or others experience. Hope to hear from someone soon thank you 😊

[Hidden]

I would ask the opinion of another gp. I’ve experienced post viral and or low level infection of ENT - can’t see what harm it would do to try another course of antibiotics since you’ve said you occasionally have green mucous. Hope you get sorted soon

[Biker88]

In November 19 I had persistent dry cough I had my check up with my consultant who there might be a chest infection developing. December and January numerous sputum/blood tests all clear, but still coughing. August 20 still coughing had COVID-19 test, negative went to GP as still coughing given antibiotics, which didn’t do anything. September had flu jab, 2 days later cough gone and feeling much better. I can only think that I had a viral infection and the flu jab woke my immune system up.

[Bluenotes]

Really feel for you , these things can go on and on , but it can take ages if a virus . 😥

[Hidden]

I had an infection that lasted over 9 months, prior to diagnosis I had several xrays to see if the shadow was changing but it wasn't improving or getting worse, I must of had 6 different antibiotics, in the end it was prednisolone that helps me and the shadow on the lung cleared but by that time I was under a specialist respiratory consultant.

You sound like you still have a lung infection, green mucus is an indication you have.

Either go back to your doctor, phone 111 or go online to complete form

111.nhs.uk/

Phone BLF helpline on Monday for further advice and support: blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

Sure hope you can get to speak to the 111 doctor, sometimes if you fill that online form out they will call you to assess if you need to discuss with a doctor and he / she will then offer further advice. You could do this today if you feel really bad.

Take good care BK

[peege]

I've had many a viral that's turned into bacterial infections needing antibiotic. I've asthma, coughi g c,ones ths airways so mucus gets trapped making the perfect warm moist place for bacteria to grow. Personally I think your gp is appalling to let you go this long. 5 days is absolutely never long enough, he should have tried another week of amoxicillin then 2 weeks of doxy and if that didn't work 2 weeks of clarithromycin. I had an infection March to October once. I've always believed that my immune system was already shot to pieces and there was nothing left. I don't ever want to go back to those days so take loads of extra vitamins and minerals to keep it fighting fit. I hope you get proper care soon. Try another doctor in the practice. Ooh how I hate it when people get fobbed off grrrr.

The help line no. is 03000 030555 if you could call on Monday

[Nad288 in reply to peege]

I’ve taken 7 days amoxicillin, 7 days doxycycline and 5 days steroid, then 5 days of clarithromycin. But the gp said if it was an infection my crp level would be higher than 7 so they won’t give anymore antibiotics. They are convinced it is viral. The doctor I saw in a&e earlier said viruses can last 6months. This really shocked me as the most a virus has ever lasted before this was 1-2weeks. I just don’t understand why an X-ray didn’t show anything. I think my local health centre is getting fed up with me now. My gp has been very unsympathetic and basically implied “don’t bother annoying me again with your drama” I can see how they’re confused because everything is coming back normal but that doesn’t help me with my symptoms which are affecting day2day things. I’ve read articles online that say X-rays don’t pick up everything and can miss things but I don’t understand how my blood tests are always clear when I feel like a foot is on my chest 24/7. Thank you for all your advice. This is my first post and everyone has been so lovely and kind

[peege in reply to Nad288]

I'm so sorry I can't help more, its scary because you think you're going to be stuck like it forever. . I know it can be a nightmare from my own experiences. If I had my time over I'd have gone private. All I can suggest is you take copious supplements to rebuild your immune system for a few months along with pre and prebiotics if you can.

[Alberta56]

Lots of good sense here . Hope their advice helps. Fingers crossed for you.xx

[andyput]

Hi Nad some time ago I had a infection with a cough so I had my stand bye meds Doxycycline 100mg for a week no better went to doctors given a different med i can not remember the name took for a week no better so back to doctors again this time double dose Doxycycline after a few day getting better ,finished course ok then. Do you have respiratory nurse to call ?

[Izb1]

Hi Nad and welcome to the site. Its awful to be left so long with no end in sight. A couple of years ago I has a terrible cold which i couldn't shift and my gp gave me a weeks amoxycillan then a further week which did nothing, I tried a few antibiotics but nothing worked, I was sent to a respiratory consultant who couldn't understand it, luckily he sent me to ent and the doctor there found after a ct scan that all my sinus's were infected. He gave me a 6 weeks course of low level doxycycline, a steroid nasal spray and told me to get some Sterimar nasal wash, all of these really helped. I am still waiting a sinus op but feel that i can handle the condition better now. I have bronchiectasis so sometimes go onto antihistamines if mucus becomes a problem. I also take vitamin d/c , magnesium vit k2mk7, these will help your system pick up. I would go back to your gp and ask then to send you to a respiratory consultant or ask them to put you on a low dose course of antibiotics. Its shocking that we are left to deal with these problems on our own. You didnt say if you have any lung disease? I do hope you feel better soon. Irene x

[Nad288 in reply to Izb1]

I’m being tested for asthma. Been given inhalers but making no difference. No always feel sore around my rib/lungs/chest area. I went back to a&e earlier as it was getting sorer to take breaths in/out. X-ray was again clear and bloods all normal. They’ve said it is a viral thing that could take another few months to go away. I am taking zinc and vit c, tried echinacea, eating fruits and veg and drinking green tea and plenty of water to help boost my immune system but have noticed very little difference. My shoulder blades hurt and when I breathe I have to concentrate on doing it from my belly or I get a sharp tight feeling like you would if you were hyperventilating. I’ve done steam for weeks, gargling with salt for my throat as it’s been red around tonsil area (tonsils removed when kid) and spots on my uvula and back of throat. I’m on waiting list for ent so I’m hoping they will sort my throat out and maybe my breathing is related to my sore throat? Just really fed up and getting depressed with it. I’m usually healthy and when I do have a cold or chest infection I bounce back within 1-2 wks even without antibiotics. I really sympathise with those with respiratory illnesses it must be awful

[Izb1 in reply to Nad288]

Well I am no expert but you have something wrong that isnt being treated. Lets hope that the ent people can identify what is wrong. Did they test you for pneumonia , pleurisy and did they do a ct scan? Please let us know how you get on x

[Timberman]

Curious coincidence. This has been my worst year yet! Since about March I have been very short of breath. And it has only just cleared!

It was never quite like a COPD exacerbation but I followed the emergency rules twice. No good. Talked to GP (phone consultation) and tried different antibiotics. No good.

Actually saw GP and then started heart investigation. X-ray, ECG, full spec blood, echogram etc. Arrhythmic and medicated.

Last week finally had consultation with heart specialist. Reassuring as he saw nothing wrong with heart. Reckoned it was an overlay of arrhythmia and COPD making breathing worse.

Finally complete second steroid course plus ditto diuretic and lo - I can breath again. Tomorrow i get a full COPD exam so who knows? I may even get an FEV1 (stopped by coronavirus).

I find clarithromycin plays havoc with my sense of taste so avoid it. Otherwise it works for me.

[Susynew]

Hi Nad288 Are you still having problems? I have exactly the same symptoms. It feels like a heavy weight in the centre of my chest. Pain through my shoulders & back. Difficulty breathing, Negativ covid test. Xrays,blood all normal. I am so ill I can't do anything. Please let me know how you're doing now