Hi. I'm new here. I haven't been well since before Christmas. Initially I had a bit of a sore throat which I thought then turned into a virus- cough and sinus symptoms, shivers etc. A fortnight ago I felt pain in my chest- centre and at left hand side along ribs and behind breastbone area. Also at top of back/shoulder area. I went to the hospital. Was told I had pulled muscles. Was given antibiotics for sinus pain. The pain in my chest became unbearable. I couldn't lie flat in bed. It hurt when i moved, coughed, sneezed, bent over etc. Last week I saw the GP. He said I had pleurisy and prescribed an inhaler, steroids and painkillers. A few days later I was feeling worse. I went to the Dr again and I was then sent for a chest xray that afternoon. The chest xray showed I have pneumonia in my right lung. The Dr put me on antibiotics for 7 days. She said if I was no better at the end of the course, then I will need IV antibiotics. I am more than half way through the antibiotics and not feeling any benefit. I have actually been on 3 courses of antibiotics now. I am still feeling shivery and sore. What I can't understand is the pain in the left side and yet it's my right lung affected by pneumonia? Maybe the pain is pleurisy. I feel so miserable, tired, weak and sore. The pain hurts if I breathe in deeply. It really is very sore. I don't get why the pain is in my left side when my right lung has pneumonia. Does anyone know if this can be the case? Last year I took pneumonia in my right lung too following the flu. At the time the hospital said I was too young to take pneumonia and asked was I immuno-suppressed. I have no idea if I am. I wouldn't have thought so. Last week the GP said because I have had pneumonia twice now in a year I may need referred to a chest clinic. Is it usual to get pneumonia twice within a year? I have 3young children and have found the past few weeks really tough. Sorry for a long post. Thanks in advance to anyone who can maybe relate/give advice etc. All appreciated.
Pneumonia and Pleurisy- pain - Lung Conditions C...
Pneumonia and Pleurisy- pain
Go back to the doctors and push them, you need another xray or CT Scan and get checked out. The antibiotics should've definitely kicked in by now and should have helped in some way xx
Thank you very much for replying. Since my last post my oldest 2 children have both been unwell with coughs and bad throats/ear etc and are on antibiotics. Thankfully both are starting to recover. I was at the Dr's again and I'm getting a repeat chest xray in a few weeks time. I am feeling a bit more improved but still experiencing discomfort in the same spot around my rib cage are in the left hand side of my chest. The Dr told me this will go away and is pleurisy pain. Hoping the pain does go away soon. I've been pretty uncomfortable with it.
Hi Poppy sorry to hear how tough you are having it right now.
A few things… your dr is wrong saying you’re too young to have pneumonia. I had it at 1 year old. Any respiratory infection viral or bacterial can leave scar tissue on your lungs causing potential weaknesses for future infections.
From my own experience, you sound like you are suffering from pleurisy type pains and pneumonia unfortunately both can be present at the same time. You have also most likely strained chest/shoulder muscles with coughing etc as well. Shallow breathing is something I tend to notice when I have pleurisy … and I want to tie a wide tight band around my rib cage to alleviate the deeper inhalation that brings on the pain. This is not recommended as it’s important we try to get as much air into our lungs and try to exhale as much as we can before taking our next breath… something we have all probably done without any thought but at times like these I have to consciously make each breath deep and long slowly to ensure I’m filling all corners of the lungs, despite the complications of pleurisy and pneumonia. Some infections can be stubborn and may require a change of antibiotic or even a higher dose.
Personally if I was you I would ask for a chest scan as there’s only so much an x-ray can reveal. And lastly if things are tough at the moment and the last few weeks it can affect your immunity despite not necessarily being immunosuppressed it may be that your system is struggling to get back on to top form due to either the same infection because it’s not responding to antibiotics (remember antibiotics don’t work for viruses- have you out ruled flu or covid) or that you have picked up different virus/bacterial infections one after the other over the weeks. I try to drop of a sputum sample before the dr starts me on antibiotics so they can get an ideal if the antibiotic is the correct one for the bacteria infection I have.
Another consideration is if something in your environment is making respiratory symptoms worse or reoccurring such as damp/mould and cold temperatures. For me a lack of sleep can cause my immune system to struggle to recover from infections. Do you have support where someone can look after the children for a few hours just so you can catch up on some rest? Sending get well messages and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thanks very much for replying and for all the thoughts and advice. Really appreciated and helpful. 2 of my children have been unwell hence my late reply and lack of update about myself. I am feeling a bit better. I was at the Dr's again and was told I'm to get a repeat chest xray in a few weeks time. I still have some pain and discomfort in my rib cage area. The Dr told me this is pleurisy pain and should go away. Hope so. Thank you about mentioning about a chest scan. The thought would never have occurred to me. I don't get how I have ended up with pneumonia twice in 13months and pleurisy in top of it. Maybe just unfortunate or as you say maybe there is a cause like lack of rest or environmental. Funny one of our bathrooms had a little bit of mould in the ceiling. My husband treated it in the summer time again. We have noticed it is back. Maybe not a cause but interesting... Thank you again for your kind wishes etc.
7 days antibiotic is nowhere near enough to knock pneumonia on the head and your doctor is a fool to say that you are too young to get it. Many of us on this site have lung damage from having pneumonia as little children. You need to go back to a different doctor in the practice if there is one and get properly treated. If it means a stay in hospital and IV antibiotics so be it. At least in hospital they see this all of the time and know how to deal with it. GPs are mostly useless at reading cts and xrays and so it would be better to get that done by specialists. Your post is a record of neglect and a decline in your health and you need to have the right treatment to stop it getting worse.
Hi and thanks for replying. I do feel a bit let down as I ended up having to go through quite a lot of Dr visits before finding out what was really wrong with me and then trying to get the right medicine. I feel more improved now but still have discomfort in my rib cage. I have since been back to the Dr and was told I'm to have a repeat chest xray in a few weeks time. Was also told the discomfort is pain.
Hi, I'm so sorry you're still suffering Poppy16, I wholeheartedly agree with Littlepom above that 7 days of abs for pneumonia is totally inadequate. Have a look at your surgery's website to see if any of the GPs have special interest of respiratory issues. You don't have to see your allocated GP.
Your experience is ringing bells for me & my past....repeated emergency appointments seeing a different doctor each time who obviously didn't read previous medical record appointments. After several bouts of pleurisy, pneumonia and chronic infections I saw by chance the nicest , best & most thorough GP in the practice who was horrified, he set proper procedures in place (decent antibiotics, a referral to consultant for CT scan etc).
Alarm bells should ring for them on a second bout of pneumonia in a year grrrr. You need proper support, especially as a mum of young children.
Could you call the helpline tomorrow after 9.15? 0300 222 5800 .
My daughter had pleurisy and pneumonia at 10 years old, now 40 she has regular chest infections (she won't go to gp but that's another story) she has 3 under 8.
Thinking of you Poppy16
PS there's 'Related Posts ' to the right - or scroll down on a phone - which may be helpful
Thank you for replying to me and for being so helpful. I am sorry to hear about your daughter and hope she is OK at the moment. Nothing worse being unwell and having little ones to take care of. My oldest 2 children have been unwell recently and are both on antibiotics for bad throats/ear/coughs. Antibiotics starting to help them both mercifully. I'm feeling a bit more improved but still have discomfort in my chest. Was back at the GP again and was told I'm to get a repeat chest xray in a few weeks time. Was told that the discomfort is pleuirsy pain and that it should go away in time. Hope so. I don't understand how I have had pneumonia twice in 13 months. Maybe I'm just run down/unfortunate. Thanks again for your kind wishes, thoughts and help.
Glad a bit of improvement but not about remaining chest pain and that children are unwell. It seems never ending doesn't it. My Nellie - 40, is well at last. I agree with Alberta that a CT scan would be mire useful to detect any underlying issue. If I had my time over I would have got a private CT instead of waiting years for one & enduring more pneumonia and constant infections, I'd have been diagnosed earlier and be more well now & have the capacity to enjoy the grandchildren more.
* If you are able, get a private consultation and ct scan, it could save years of getting sorted on NHS.
A kiwi a day or citrus to give your children extra vitamin C daily - and you too along with extra vits & minerals to rebuild your immunity which the pneumonia × two & antibiotics will have diminished hugely. Years ago I was always prescribed acidophilus alongside antibiotics to replenish the good stomach bacteria that abs have killed off. I've never forgotten so take 50 billion probiotic when really, really low, 20 billion daily throughout winter months (like many here i take prophylactic antibiotics on three days a week during winter).
Wishing you all the best Poppy16. P ××
Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you are so ill at the moment and hope you find the advice from other members helpful. (They know more than some doctors appear to.) I can only add that exhaling is as important as inhaling. Some people find pursed lip breathing helpful or breathing out via the top of the mouth. There are illustrations on line. I would phone the helpline tomorrow as Peege suggests. Best wishes.
Thank you for replying and for your kind wishes. Really appreciated. I'm a bit better now. Just discomfort still in rib cage area. WS back at GP and was told I'm to get a repeat chest xray in a few weeks time..
Hi Poppy, sorry can't offer any further advice than what's already been given but just wanted to welcome you to this lovely, supportive forum and say I hope you get some answers soon. xxx
I started with these kind of infection s from a very young age so age doesn’t matter, if it’s a nasty bug it can take different types of antibiotics sometimes intravenous antibiotics to shift it so please go back to GP and tell him you still are not feeling any different. You are probably very run down also because of it so try some multi vitamins, wouldn’t hurt.
Take care
Wendy xx
Thank you for replying. Yes, I am intending to get a tonic/vitamins this week to try and build myself up a bit. I feel so worn out. I'm improving, but still have discomfort my rib cage area. I was back at the GP and am to get a repeat chest xray in a few weeks time.. x
Hello Poppy. I understand how you must be feeling as I too have been ill since before Christmas though I am 64! There has been a nasty virus circulating in the uk which did give very bad congestion in sinuses and upper airways and the chances are you may have had a second virus on top. My suggestion would be to get checked out for IGa deficiency - this protects your mucosal surfaces and can make you more prone to infections. I would also push to see a respiratory specialist. Look up IGa deficiency on the internet. Try to get as much rest as you possibly can - go to bed as soon as the children are asleep. Take care .
I have never heard of IGa deficiency. Thanks for replying and thank you for mentioning about this. That is so helpful.. How are you feeling now? Sorry you have been ill too and hope you feel well soon. Funny you mentioning about a bad virus going about and affecting sinuses etc too as I have had very painful sinuses as well. Thanks for all your kind wishes. Take care.
Hi Poppy16, sounds like you are suffering badly but soldiering on, that should not be happening specially as you have children who you could pass the infection on to and you need to care for. Repeated pneumonia needs to be investigated by a specialist before it causes more damage to your lungs, sadly when this happens generally you are too ill to go to specialist other than via A&E emergency admission which are being avoided right now due to the waiting time for a doctor to see you when you get there. I know in the past I had to have steroids to clear a persitant infection so is maybe worth chasing that up with GP. I do hope the antibiotics help and you begin to recover soon . Best wishes.
Yes I want investigated as to why I have had pneumonia twice in 13 months. Maybe I'm just run down/unfortunate. I am feeling a bit better. Still have discomfort in my rib cage area. Have been back to GP again and was told it is pleurisy pain. I'm to have a repeat chest xray in a few weeks time. Thanks for replying and for kind wishes.
Hi Poppy16, thank you for your reply , hope you are feeling much better now. I have to go for a second Xray for rib pain most likely at the end of February as last Xray shows changes in the lung they say and I have a lung illness. They are suggesting infection but I have no symptoms of infection, so fingers crossed it is not something else then again at this time of year I could have an infection by the time I attend again. Hope you continue to progress with your health. Best Wishes
All the best for your xray next month. Trusting all is well. Thanks again for your well wishes.
Hi, I can totally agree with a ct scan as I am going to be asking for one soon. I think it's the best way for them to see what's going on in your chest once and for all. Really hope you get some answers and proper treatment soon. Be firm with the doctors and demand answers as that is what they are there for. Makes my blood boil 😡 . Good luck chook and let us all know how you get on 😉
Thank you for replying. I never would have thought of asking for a chest scan. I am feeling a bit better but still have discomfort in my rib cage area. I have been back to my GP and was told the pain should go and that it is pleurisy pain. I also was told I'm to get a repeT chest xray in a few weeks time. I will be pushing for an investigation into why I have had pneumonia twice in 13 months. The main GP of my health centre is to put it bluntly, useless. He gave me my results of the recent chest xray down the phone and wasn't going to give me any treatment for pneumonia. He didn't want to see me and instead booked me in with another GP that day who gave me my 3rd course of strong antibiotics. I feel quite let down and frustrated. The other GP is only there sometimes, but she is very good.
Hi Poppy16 and welcome to the site. You have been given some good advice from members. I think most gp's are pretty useless when it comes to lung problems but keep pushing your gp to get treatment x
I really feel for you, I hope some of the replies have helped you. Sending you a Big Warm Hug 🤗 🥰
Thank you for replying and for kind thoughts etc. Appreciated. X
In Nov 2019, I was hospitalised with pneumonia and pleurisy. Was in for 10 days, and the consultant drew off 3/4 litre of infected yellow fluid from my chest cavity. This was what was causing my no. 8 pain below my ribs. Oromorph helped but made me constipated. I had a number of antibiotics including intravenous. The first few days, I found it painful to breath deeply enough, and I believe my oxygen levels were low as a result. I believe also this may have caused me to have heart failure, which I now have. So, this disease must be respected, and sorted out as soon as possible.
I am so sorry to hear of your experience. You have been through alot. That's awful you have heart failure. How are you doing now? Thanks for replying.
I'm not bad at all. I'm 82, and try to keep going, but a bit cramped from doing what I want to, due to my worn out body, but I'm still here. Does take much energy to sit and watch tele. Thanks for asking.
Hi and welcome Poppy. You’ve had some good advice from the members here. I had pneumonia and pleurisy together and was in a lot of pain around one of my rib cages. I had lots of antibiotics and painkillers. It will be difficult for you with young children too. Go back to your dr and ask for a scan or better antibiotics Xx
Thank you for replying. Sorry to hear about you suffering similarly. I'm feeling a bit better and to get a repeat chest xray in a few weeks time. I still have discomfort in my rib cage area. I was back at the GP and was told this is pleurisy pain and it should ease. X
Heat or a pillow under your armpit against your ribs will help. Take care xx
That's good advice . I will thank you. Have a nice day. X
IMHO, you should be treated by specialists (respiratory department at hospital), not just by GP, as you seem to have a complex/complicated problem. Also, some GP's opinions are completely wrong, for example pneumonia v age. I hope that you will get out of this unpleasant and potentially dangerous situation. Good luck!
Thank you for replying. I have been a bit messed about by Drs for sure. I'm feeling a bit better now. I've to get a repeat chest xray in a few weeks time. I will also be pushing for a chest scan and referral to chest clinic as to why I have had pneumonia twice in 13 months.
Sometimes pain when you breath deeply could be caused by a blood clot. You may want to make sure they have checked for that. Birth control or HRT can cause blood clots that could have traveled to your lung.
I was wondering if the feeling is like your upper torso is made of dry leather and will snap if you make the slightest move? I've been having similar with myself lately. I usually walk everywhere too, yet now especially if wet or cold, i get about 200 metres and feel like my upper half of torso is going to get repeatdly stabbed!!
I hope you get sorted it' would have been very stressful for you you need to keep going to docters keep at them
Thanks for replying. I'm a bit better now, but still having discomfort in my rib cage area. Have been back at my GP again and was told I'm to get a repeat cheat xray in a few weeks time. Also was told pain is pleurisy and should ease.
you might be better off going to A&E than your GP, who seems useless.
Main GP at the practice is useless I hate to say. He wasn't going to treat my pneumonia. Had to fight to get seen to and ended up seeing another GP who is really good. Sadly she isn't at the practice often. She gave me a 3rd course of antibiotics. I'm to have a repeat chest xray in a few weeks time. I'm still in a bit of discomfort in my rib cage area but was told this pleurisy pain and it should ease...
I changed my GPs because they were absolutely useless and the new ones are just brilliant. Ask people near where you live who their practice is and if they’re any good. We were recommended to the one I’m now with and what a huge difference it’s made. My daughter moved over first and she sang their praises. It’s so easy to move. I just got an application form from reception, filled it in and returned it.
Thanks for sharing. Yes my husband and I have been saying that we should look for a different health centre as we have been let down quite a few times as a family by our current one. Our middle child was hospitalised over a year ago for a few days with multiple infections. The worrying thing was that he had been seen by the GP 3 times in 1 week. Anyhow... That's good that moving health centres is pretty straight forward by sounds of things.
It’s disgraceful he was seen by a GP 3X. You’d think they’d be more vigilant where youngsters are concerned. Part of the reason I left my old practice was how they failed my mother. I’d taken her up to the Dr and he failed to pick up she had a serious chest infection and they’d also failed to pick up that she actually had COPD and heart failure. She was being treated for asthma. She ended up on HDU because of their failure and was very seriously ill. My advice is if they’re failing you, then find a better practice. I’m so glad I changed as it was very hard to get an appointment with an Dr, but my new practice are on the ball. They picked up that I had undiagnosed seriously high blood pressure and sent me for an ECG, which has picked up I have a left bundle branch block and are sending me for an echocardiogram to rule out other heart problems. I was a ticking time bomb. My old practice failed our whole family.
Boys a dear. That is simply awful what you have been through and your poor Mum. I am so glad to hear you have moved practices and now have a decent, thorough, good Dr. How is your Mum doing now? She was so ill by sounds of things. How are you yourself? Trusting you get your echo ASAP.
Very sadly, my mother passed away Oct ‘21 from covid pneumonia during the Delta variant. I had phoned the GP practise only a couple of weeks before she caught covid as she was due her booster. They told me she was on the list but couldn’t tell me when she would be getting the vaccine. She didn’t manage to get it and it was the last straw as far as I was concerned. If she’d had her booster, she might’ve survived. She was extremely vulnerable due to COPD and other complex health issues and she should’ve been given her booster sooner. I decided to move to another practice after that happened. They let us down a number of times.
Bless you all 🙏🏻Sending hugs❣️🫂
thank you
I am no medic but I strongly suggest you need two things - a visit from a real COPD professional and a sputum sample tested to see of your pneumonia is viral - if it is, the anti-biotics will achieve nothing; you need anti-virals. And at first by IV.
Ho Poppy.hope by now antibiotics helping.if not,insist on a face2face appointment+ extended course of antibiotics.theres a lot of awful coughs about at mo but u might well feel awful with pneumonia+ pleurisy.do take Yr painkillers+ try to drink plenty.its worth reading up on " controlled breathing techniques" on aluk - pursed lips breathing.perhaps do a few breaths ea hour,then rest,to keep Yr lungs expanding& getting air in.If Yr chest is tight,wheezy, breathless do use inhaler.breathe it in deeply & slowly to get full benefit. Hope u soon feel better x
Thank you for taking the time to reply to me and for all your help/support/advice. Really appreciated. I'm a bit better now. Have been back to Dr. I'm to get a repeat chest xray in a few weeks time. I'm still sore in rib cage area but was told this is pleurisy and should ease I'm going to push for referral to chest clinic to see why I have had pneumonia twice in 13months.
Oh yes, I'd forgotten about the pneumonia vaccination, do ask for it for future protection and going forward get the annual flu vaccinations. I think we asthmatics get them free but if not it's a tenner well spent! I'd get the pneumonia vaccine ASAP to help prevent further damaging bouts. ××
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Pleurisy and bronchial pneumonia
Pleurisy
Pleurisy
Pneumonia
Pneumonia
Bronchiectasis or Pneumonia
Double Pneumonia followed by double empyema - still in pain 
Pleurisy symptoms
Long Covid & Pleurisy 
Recovering from Pneumonia 
