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pneumonia recovery

Toby14 profile image
24 Replies

2 weeks ago i left hospital after 5 days after being treated for pneumonia. Progress is slow and i’m still coughing with. shortness of breath. I was resting in bed then decided to try and walk to the end of the road.Disaster.Made it home and collapsed. Now i’m back in bed with more antibiotics and steroids. I feel ghastly. Will i ever get well

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Toby14 profile image
Toby14
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24 Replies
Bevvy profile image
Bevvy

Sorry but 2 weeks after pneumonia is really not a long time. I have had bouts of pneumonia and of pleurisy. You really need to rest, rest and rest some more. Try to eat healthily and listen to what your body is trying to tell you. The harder you push to recover the likelihood is that it will take longer. You’ve already discovered by pushing to walk further than you were ready was a mistake. Be kind to yourself and take the time required to recover.

Hope you feeling much better soon.

Toby14 profile image
Toby14 in reply toBevvy

Thankyou.I also haveAsthma.Will be resting more now.

B0xermad profile image
B0xermad in reply toBevvy

such a good reply bevvy

Toby14 profile image
Toby14 in reply toBevvy

hi sorry to bother you. I’m finding it difficult to eat.A lot of nausea.And were you coughing a lot.Im very chesty?

Bevvy profile image
Bevvy in reply toToby14

it’s really not a bother. Do you understand what pneumonia is? Basically it is severe chest infection. So as with most chest infections you will be “chesty” and coughing a lot. Also because of all the phlegm and gunk on your chest this will make feelings of nausea. It’s important to eat as healthily as possible but that might mean some soup or even a bowl of cereal. You certainly won’t be up to either preparing a full meal or probably eating it afterwards.

Most important is to keep drinking fluids. These will help break up the phlegm on your chest.

I must reiterate that it will take time to recover (but you will recover). Even after initial infection has gone and you have stopped taking antibiotics and steroids, your body will need time and a bit of nurturing to regain its strength.

Toby14 profile image
Toby14 in reply toBevvy

Thankyou.I didnt count on all the nausea. The shortness of breath is bad in the morning. Haveing asthma and only one lung dosent help. Im now in bed resting. Thankyou

sassy59 profile image
sassy59

As Bevvy says Toby you do need to rest a lot. Hoping you feel getter soon. Xxx

Toby14 profile image
Toby14 in reply tosassy59

Thanks Sassy.I must have been mad to try and go out.

peege profile image
peege in reply toToby14

I think its par for the course Toby. Fever, pneumonia plus antibiotics all make you feel so awful you cant think straight & do daft things. I've had pneumonia several times too and can take 3 months to slowly fully recover. If tyeres any sign of yellowish green mucus contact your gp for more and better antibiotics for at least two weeks.

Bevvy is right rest, drink loads, rest, healthy food, rest, feet up, drink more and REST.

P

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew

Dear Toby, sorry you’ve been poorly with pneumonia! After I had it a couple of years back (in my early 40’s) it took me a couple of months to recover fully! It really takes it out of you! Take care of yourself! You will get better but just be kind to yourself!

Dee 😊

Toby14 profile image
Toby14 in reply tomadonbrew

Thankyou

Oshgosh profile image
Oshgosh

just take it easy.your body needs rest.

If you need to walk,just have a stroll round the house.xx

B0xermad profile image
B0xermad

hi Toby,it took me initially 6weeks to get back to reasonable health after pneumonia but 6mths to fully recover, I had it twice in 2yrs and was hospitalised both times.felt very weak and feeble for quite a while, please dont rush yourself to soon and strength will come back.

jacartist profile image
jacartist in reply toB0xermad

I found it took around 6 months to get back to normal. Even going a few steps into the kitchen to make tea made me sooo tired again. It's very frustrating I know, but best to find some good books and just settle back and give your poor body time to get well again. It does happen eventually, but never as quick as you want it to! Stay safe.

Toby14 profile image
Toby14 in reply tojacartist

your right. Im in bed now resting.thankyou

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

This sounds a horrible, frustrating illness. The people who've had it are all agreed, so I'm sure you will follow their advice. When you do feel ready to be a bit more active, why not start with a few gentle chair exercises. There are plenty on the web. Good luck. xxxx

Toby14 profile image
Toby14 in reply toAlberta56

Thankyou

watergazer profile image
watergazer

it can take months to recover from pneumonia. Took me around 5 months. It’s little steps. I didn’t venture out of the house for at least a month. Keep taking the meds, rest and drink plenty of fluids x

Izb1 profile image
Izb1

it took my friend almost 6 months to get better from pneumonia, I think we forget it is a serious illness and your body needs time to recover, so rest up and heal , dont try to rush it x

Digger0 profile image
Digger0

Pneumonia can take up to 6 months to get back to normal! Take it gently and eat small potions more regularly. nhs.uk/conditions/pneumonia...

JJ_7 profile image
JJ_7

Hi Toby. I really sympathize with you. I have had 4 hospitalisations from pneumonia since 2018.....in essence every year . Each time it takes a little longer to recover and the one in approximately December last 2021 was the worst. It took 6 months to get back to baseline . I have recently been presribed prophylactic antibiotics taken 3 times a week and I am hopeful that I will not be hospitalised this autumn. Please keep trying and do a little bit of excercise every day. The exhaustion does pass. Thinking of you and get well soon x x

Maricopa profile image
Maricopa in reply toJJ_7

how long were your hospital stays? I’m coughing up foamy white mucus. Last night I woke and had sweat a River literally. Yet I’ve not had a fever with this exacerbation that’s been going on for a week. I’m alpha one end stage emphysema. Our hospital is full of RSV. Flu. Covid. So I’ve just stayed home on azithromycin.

Toby14 profile image
Toby14 in reply toMaricopa

Hi i was in hospital for five days on i’ve antibiotics. I was coughing up thick green phlegm. I was sweating and vomiting. It was terrible. nearly 3 months on and i still feeling weak. Good luck

JJ_7 profile image
JJ_7 in reply toMaricopa

My stays were between 5 and 7 nights. Had sepsis during one admission.Do you have a local pulmonary rehab team? Ask your GP to refer you. Once you are a registered patient you can pick up a phone to ask questions with specialist nurses. Also, dont forget NHS111 to call for advice. I know the anxiety I felt during my last admission where many sick patients were near me. I hope you are feeling better soon.xx

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