Pleurisy in the time of Covid.

[Wheezer51]

Dear All

I had a light cough which came and went over the first 6 months of the year.

It simply became part of the background and I stopped noticing it.

In September I developed symptoms which all pointed to pleurisy.

I phoned my GP but was given a telephone date 6 weeks later, when I did get to talk the symptoms had subsided.

It has returned and is Chronic, I am exhausted all the time.

I can’t get to see my GP or talk to them for another 6 weeks.

The NHS are so pressed at the moment.

Has anybody ever dealt with this?

Is there anything I can do for myself.

Ant advice appreciated.

[Oshgosh]

Have you tried ringing 111 for advice

[shouty]

It is advised on the affected side if possible. Can you take Ibrufen/Codeine is so Nurofen Plus may help. Or Codamol paracetmol & codeine. Try not to do shallow breathing

Please get help if worsens

Best Wishes

Hattie

[Izb1]

Why do you have to wait so long to speak with your gp? I phone my surgery before 8 and ask for a telephone call and the doctor rings me back same day. I can understand not being able to get a face to face appointment for 6 weeks but not a phone call. Speak with your surgery and tell them its urgent or phone 111. Hope you get better soon x

[Dedalus]

I agree you should not have to wait 6 weeks for an appointment to speak to your GP (tell them that due to your condition it cannot wait 6 weeks). If no luck then definitely call 111.

[barbs47]

Hi I can sympathise with you I had pleurisy and remember how painful it was. I agree with others this is an emergency so get back onto your surgery or 111. Pleurisy can be caused by either a viral or bacterial infection. In either case strong painkillers should help with the pain. If it’s viral there is not much else you can do, if it’s bacterial you need antibiotics too. You obviously won’t know what has caused yours but if you really can’t get medical help and you have antibiotics in your rescue pack maybe you should consider using them. The best thing though is definitely while trying to get medical advice is the strongest painkillers you can buy, your pharmacist should help you with this. I hope you get relief Barbs x