I'm suffering for the second time in 3 years with PLEURISY again. I'm on a course of strong antibiotics, I suffer with asthma, fibromyalgia, lots of arthritis plus other health issues. I'm really struggling as I am disabled and on 2 crutches, but the smallest of things is taking me a lifetime to do. I had my first onset of pleurisy for 13 weeks, I just hope that I don't get the same this time round. I've just got to ride the wave as they say.....
So sorry that you have pleurisy on top of all your other health problems. Hope the antibiotics do the trick and that you recover much more quickly than last time.
Pleurisy is a truly horrible illness. I have had it 4X and pneumonia once. My biggest advice is to rest and then rest some more. I know through experience that trying to do too much at once is a huge error and makes things significantly worse.Try to eat as healthy as possible although that can be difficult when so unwell. Even just stocking up with fruit and veg you can munch on raw can help especially when not well enough to make a meal. Otherwise ready meals would be useful. Extra vitamin tablets may help. I am a big fan of vitamin C with zinc and am currently taking some at the moment due to feeling under the weather. Finally probiotics or live yogurt is very useful when on strong antibiotics. Will reintroduce healthy bacteria back into body which is being destroyed by antibiotics.
It's good that you're on a strong antibiotic straight away Sjyoungs. The danger in having pleurisy is that us so painful we shallow breath & avoid coughing which prevents the natural expulsion of mucus from lungs thereby leaving a perfect environment for bacteria to multiply.I've found clutching a rolled towel underarm on the affected side helps, it holds the ribcage still so you can take deeper breaths and lightly cough (learnt this from a physiotherapist after breaking ribs, very similar pain to pleurisy).
I certainly sympathise, it must be extra difficult when using crutches as well. Get well soon, Peege
A friend of mine had antibiotics for pleurisy, didn't help. He's now been given another course plus steroids. Doc said steroids are a must for pleurisy. All the best x
Hi! I'm so glad I read this and I hope you're feeling better now! I developed a chest infection that turned into pneumonia around 7 weeks ago, 4 weeks ago that turned into pleurisy. I have been on antibiotics and steroids and an inhaler for a week and I'm feeling much better than I did, but I'm still getting residual pain in my right shoulder blade and under my arm mainly when I lift something.
I have to go for a chest x ray and a COPD test next week and I'm panicking that I still am experiencing pain. Especially after reading pleurisy pain should only last for 2 weeks. My mind is working overtime and I'm scared that they will find something else on the xray. Reading that you suffered for 13 weeks has helped soothe me a little.
I felt much better last Friday and thought the pain had gone, but I went away with a friend to shut a couple of caravans up for the winter and perhaps pushed myself a little too hard with lifting. (That's what I'm hoping anyway. 🙏🤞)
Thank you so much for writing this. I know it is 11 months later but you don't know how helpful this has been for my mind.
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