Hurts breathing in on left side/lung...

[Yess1e]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone might have experienced this or some thoughts. Sorry this is so long a post.

This morning I woke up and my left lung/back/shoulder hurt, much more so with breathing in. I thought it might be I'd slept oddly and/or my arthritis as other parts of me ached and back and spine hurt. I wore a mask and went about an unusual day in and out of shops. I never usually go in (another story) I was coughing in the mask, as funnily enough the moisture helps me clear my chest. I coughed what felt like an unusually large glob of something, but had to swallow it as I was in a shop. So I couldn't see it's appearance. My chest has felt much less sore since, but still hurts. What might this be?

I'm thinking is it infection,

worrying it's a clot, or what something else might it be? I had thought in the morning a popped out rib angle, but since the productive cough helped a bit, I think it's def not.

I have Bronchiectasis and Radiation induced fibrosis in my left (upper I think) lung. I use a steroid inhaler and that's all. My infections vary. My immune system is impaired and I had a blood cancer years ago and bilateral mastectomies.

As an aside, I don't feel very guided or supported with my lung conditions. I've waited over 2 years for respiratory physio and had one video session about chest clearance. No nebuliser yet, though promised. No antibiotics etc.

I had done some painting and my lungs might not have like the fumes. They do react to most things.

Sorry for the long post, just wanted a rounder picture.

Any help/ thoughts would be good.

Thank you in advance

#lungpain #bronchiectasis #pulmonaryfibrosis #hurtsbreathingin

[sassy59]

Good morning Yess1e, it does sound like an infection but I’m not medically trained so please get things checked out. I’m hoping you are under the care of a Bronchiectasis specialist because if not, please try and get a referral.

I’m sure others who can be more helpful will be along soon and offer good advice.

Take care xxx

[Hidden]

Hello Yessie. I have had bronchiectasis all of my life and I am 73 next week. If I had those symptoms I would definitely take it as a sign that I have an exacerbation. In bronch this is treated with two weeks of antibiotics. You can find the guidelines online to have with you when you go to your GP as they know nothing of bronch and usually give one week which is hopeless.You have been woefully ignored. You should be under the care of a bronchiectasis specialist who will have their own physio to help you and will tell your GP which antibiotics to give you.. NOT a general respiratory consultant because they know very little about bronch as it needs extra training and experience. Find a name of a bronch specialist (they are usually at large teaching hospitals) take it with you to the GP and insist on a referral. We do have to be very vociferous in our own interests. Good luck.

[watergazer]

hi and welcome. It sounds like an infection. Try to take a sputum sample to your GP. If it’s a bronchiestasis flare up it can take up to 3 weeks to calm down using the correct antibiotic. Take care. Xx

[Will57]

I am no doctor but have had the same as you described twice and each time it diagnosed as early onset of pneumonia so please go to your doctor

[Nula2]

Hi Yess1e, As the others have said that needs looking at and you need a Bronch specialist but I wonder if a trip to A&E would get you some help in the meantime? I've always found them very good xxx.

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum.

[Lutontown]

Could be pleurisy, maybe, and/ or pneumonia. I had pneumonia and pleurisy in Nov 2019, and it was pain under the ribs, exacerbated by each breath I took, that got me into hospital. I was in for 10 days, had loads of antibiotics including intravenous types, and 75 cl of infected fluid was drawn from my rib cage. Whatever it is, get yourself checked out. Put a sputum sample into your surgery to get examined.

[_9carole in reply to Lutontown]

Hi have had pneumonia twice. But the worst pain was when I had lung infusion! The infection went in between the ribs. But get it checked out.

[Lutontown in reply to _9carole]

It was the pleurisy that was causing my pain, no. 4 when breathing out, no. 8 when breathing in. Made me breath very shallowly, and I think my blood oxygen levels were low during that time, and maybe the cause of my mild to moderate heart failure which I developed afterwards.

[peege]

The first time I had pleurisy pain I thought I'd cracked a rib with my own breast (I used to sleep on my front alway). The pain on breathing in and moving was just like that of fractured ribs which I'd had before. GP dx pleurisy via stethoscope then a week later pneumonia as well.You must see a gp at the very least, you could have an infection, bronchiectasis exacerbation or both.

You haven't been looked after properly, its a sad fact that we absolutely must be proactive in getting proper care. Dont be fobbed off will you, exaggerate the pain to get seen asap. Good luck. P

[kcmo456]

Hello Yess1e. I also have bronchiectasis and asthma. I have used a nebulizer 3 times a day for a few years now along with a steroid inhaler once a day. The nebulizer helps me with chest tightness and to loosen up the phlegm to cough it up. I’ve also used something called a flutter valve that helps to vibrate my bronchial tubes to loosen and cough up everything. I hope this information helps you. You can order a flutter valve on Amazon and watch some videos on You Tube to see if you think it will help you. Carol

[Patk1]

May have been a mucous plug,blocking an airway,which can be painful.id get checked out if u don't feel any better

[Yess1e]

Thank you all so much! You're such a generous and thoughtful bunch. I left it (as A&E has horrendous waits and Covid/infection risk) thankfully after what must have been a rather large mucus plug in my fibrotic upper lung I guess, things eased off thank goodness. I do need to find Bronciectasis interested consultant.

Thanks again.

[Topsy-Turvey]

I have Bronchiectasis and I was quite concerned when this happened to me, the first time. Mine can be quite large greengelatinous cubes. I do feel better afterwards. Ive been prescribed Carbocistine to make them less sticky and more able to cough up.

[Trevor6]

afternoon Yess1e , I myself waken in the mornings lately with a tightness and pain on my back/lower left lung , I have phlegm a bit mucky colour , I thought I was lying awkwardly on mattress , I was to see my consultant last week but for whatever reason clinic was cancelled, not very happy, as I had a LFT (5)to be precise on last Monday, now have to wait till January. Obviously am no expert, but good listener, it’s a mine field these lung conditions we have , my every day resolves around it .

I sometimes rub Volterol on the area of pain , have you tried this?