I'm new and trying to help my husband have reasonable expectations of the length of time pleurisy may take to clear up

[nannanicky]

He is 66, and never been seriously ill before. This has all been a shock to him - and now that after 2 doses of antibiotics, and a second xray showing a slight shadow which our GP felt would settle down without more medication, my husband has today felt pain again - 10 days since the last pain but now 6 weeks in. He says our GP gave him the expected time of 4 - 6 weeks so is very frustrated and angry that he should have any reoccurence. I feel this expectation may not be realistic, that he should be more patient. Should he be returning to the doctor for what appears to be a blip?

[hopetorun]

Hello and wellcome. Sometimes when you have infections it takes along time to settle down. We are all different and it sounds like he has had a bad case of pleuresy. For me i would say up to 3 months but it is a mental thing as well as physical. Getting out and about when the weather is good will help. I hope you find an answer

[nannanicky in reply to hopetorun]

Thank you for finding time for this reply. Whilst he doesn't find it easy to accept that it might take longer than he expected to fully regain his full health, he does enjoy walking.

[Sandy254 in reply to hopetorun]

Hi I'm I'll had chest infection coughed blood,astma 7 weeks voice horse been to docs he gave me 5antibiotic 3lot steroids oh and a spray but not got yet I'm hoping it works for you I'm fed up if these don't work another x-ray, hope Ur well soon xxxxx

[Sandy254 in reply to Sandy254]

Meant my 5th lot of antibiotics

[nannanicky in reply to Sandy254]

Poor you! Hubbie isn't suffering nearly as badly as yourself.

[nannanicky in reply to hopetorun]

Thanks for this - I fully concur with the mental side, but he says he just wants to 'get on with dealing with it by himself!'

[Sandy254 in reply to nannanicky]

Mean are like that my partner X marine just takes pain no tablets ,I can't I have been ill ,and yes it does take. Longer has u get older. But never mind keep in there sending big hugs and lots of love xxxxx

[Tetrazzini]

Sorry to say but the older you get, the longer it takes to shake off injuries and disease. What takes a week when you are thirty takes a lot longer when you're 66 - even if you have a good health record.

You just have to be patient and accept that you have to do as your body (and your G.P.) tell you. Good luck for a speedy recovery.

[nannanicky in reply to Tetrazzini]

Thank you

[Hidden]

Hi Nannanicky

Yes to be safe if there is pain again he should get an auscultation to hear if there is any fluid/mucus and an xray..did he have a drain? Sometimes unfortunately it needs draining, physio can also help to loosen the mucus..

Not easy I know but it can take time to resolve..wishing you and your husband the best x

[nannanicky in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[Hidden]

Pleurisy pain can take months to go away because the membranes are damaged, inflamed and rub together. Your husband just needs to make sure that if he feels worse he goes back to his GP for more treatment and for follow up to make sure that the shadow has gone.

Pain and illness are a fact of life and there is no point in getting angry when it takes time to go. I live with lifelong pain from bronchiectasis and the pain from an empyema two years ago will probably never go away. I just get on with it.

I know that it is difficult and a shock when someone has never been ill before but he will just have to be vigilant and patient.

Sorry to be blunt but people on here know that I have everybody’s interests at heart, including their partners and I tell it like it is.

[nannanicky in reply to Hidden]

No quite understand that it is better to be truthful than to raise one's expectations

unrealistically. Our GP mentined 4 - 6 weeks, which is only just up!

[Badbessie]

I have had a few hours of pleurisy over the years. Each as taken differing amounts of time to settle. From experience the worst thing to do is try and force the issue. Frustration will only hinder that process. Warm and rest and some light exercise will help. It is a miserable condition and I can empathize with how he is feeling but I now catch up on book reading rather than getting angry at it.

[nannanicky]

He's reads plenty anyway. My real problem is thast he seems to be venting his frustration on myself!