Pneumonia , sepsis and empyema

[Pauk]

I was admitted into hospital after suffering serious chest pains and struggling to breath and discovered I had double pneumonia. After further test I was told I had severe sepsis and empyema . I spent four weeks in hospital. I have been out of hospital for 2 months now and have been making slow but steady progress in getting my strength and stamina back . but today my chest feels tighter and I'm having to take long deep breaths to feel like I'm getting any sort of oxygen , I did go on a good bike ride the day before , so I was wondering if should go and get it checked out or could it have something to do with the bike ride .

[O2Trees]

It can take months and months to get over double pneumonia Pauk. I know, Ive been there. If your breathing has been fine and you've been building up strength over the two months, then after the bike ride you've had problems, well that seems more than a coincidence. I would advise going gently, not rushing it.

If you're in the UK, it's been very cold, and I'm always advised by my consultant and GP not to go out when it's 6 degrees or less, so house to car, and back again is the most I do. This advice feels all the more important if you've just had something as serious as double pneumonia.

If the breathing doesnt improve in a day or so then maybe you should get a GP appointment as you don't want to risk a relapse. Take care

[Pauk in reply to O2Trees]

Thanks for your comments. I was thinking on the same lines as you . if it got any worse or was still the same tomorrow I was going to get it checked out.

[O2Trees in reply to Pauk]

Yes, do. And re recovery from pneumonia and the other things you've had I would imagine it could take about six months to get fully back to normal - that's what I was told by my consultant and respiratory nurse. Frustratingly slow, but as long as you're going in the right direction . . .

[Pauk in reply to O2Trees]

It is agonizingly slow ,before all this happened I would be doing everything at 110% . so its been a real learning curve for me. Well more like starting from scratch with everything I do but having the knowledge and the experience of doing tasks . but I've got used to it now know I can only do so much.

[O2Trees in reply to Pauk]

You'll get there - keep that faith.

[Hidden in reply to O2Trees]

Oh yes? 6 degrees? I have never been told, I suppose in Switzerland I would never get out of the house in the winter, even though I am dressed like a teddy bear!

Good to know O2, thank you x

Fran

[O2Trees in reply to Hidden]

Ive never heard anyone else here on the forum say it, Fran - and it was specifically told me in relation to copd actually by a GP who has a special interest in respiratory conditions - so he is at consultant level for that but still practices as a GP. He's head of the multi-disciplinary respiratory education team. I don't know if the 6 degrees is an official thing, or just comes from his observations of his patients and how they react to the weather.

Nice to think of you as a teddy bear xx

[Hidden in reply to O2Trees]

It’s a good information O2 thank you I will keep that in mind😊

Haha..yes I had an American colleague who used to say we go down the valley dressed like mountain goats!!! I like teddy bear better!! But she was right we looked forward to go down the mountain and do girlie things and there we were with our heavy coats and snow boots!!

Have a nice and warm evening x

Fran

[Stumpy55]

Hello Pauk, sorry to hear you've been so poorly. If you are struggling with your breathing pauk, then you shouldn't ignore it. I don't know if your bike ride is responsible for how your feeling but I think you should get checked out. 🤞 all is well. Take care of yourself ✋️😊

[Pauk in reply to Stumpy55]

Thanks for getting back to me I'm going to see if it is still the same tomorrow or gets any worse between now and tomorrow then its straight to a&e.

[Shancock]

You were very ill so it'll be a long haul to get back to 100% it took me ages to get breathing back right after pneumonia. But get it checked as it's worth it especially after everything you've had. Sepsis can be awful so ounds like you've been very lucky. I'm sure you'll come good but keep a check on everything and take it slow x

[Pauk in reply to Shancock]

I'm going to get it checked out if there is no improvement by tomorrow or gets any worse before then . I know to take it slow and steady its the most popular thing said to me when ever I see family or friends . thanks for getting back with your advise.

[Hidden in reply to Pauk]

If you do decide to go to a and e then I suggest you go very early in the morning like 5am that's the time I go and it's never busy as time wasters don't go that early they wait till after breakfast 😀

[Pauk in reply to Hidden]

[edited by administrator] since coming out of hospital I haven't got out of bed before 8am. I will take my chances with the " time wasters" . lol

[Badbessie]

Been there done that had the same problem. It did take me over six months to get anywhere near normal following my bilateral pneumonia and sepsis. However best advice would be to get it checked out. It could all be due to the bike ride but better safe than sorry.

[Pauk in reply to Badbessie]

Thanks for the advise I'm going to have it checked if there is no improvement by tomorrow or gets any worse between now and tomorrow.

[Hidden]

Hello Pauk

Sounds like you have overdone it yesterday..however if you still feel unwell and short of breath don’t hesitate to consult a doctor.

Take care x

[Pauk in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for replying ,I'm a lot better today after a nights sleep . so it looks like the bike rides are going on hold for a while.

[Hidden in reply to Pauk]

That’s good news 😊

[Tricity125]

Ride. A bike. Lucky you. But. Maybe. Go a Bit. slower. What's your age. Maybe. A good bowl of strawberrys. And. Good. Good. Protein. Eggs. Cheese. Malt. Drink. Spuds. Oily fish. But. Sure. You know what. Your body needs. BW. Paul. N London

[Pauk in reply to Tricity125]

Thanks for the reply .I'm 43 and eat very healthy and before all this happens was very fit and active , so yes I do need slow down but I'm also trying to leading a normal life again. you have to test the boundaries now and again. Or maybe that just me.

[roscoe600]

exercise is good but easy does it,call doc anyways.lm still working on my health,hospital stay rough.tc

[Robin77]

Agree with everything said above! Pneumonia takes a huge toll on your system and you had a particularly bad bout. You're over the worst but full recovery takes a long time. My first experience was at 22 and even then it took months to get back to OK. So take care, slow down, and stay in touch with doctors.

[scunny]

Be careful that you are not catching it again.my wife has 1 weeks antibiotics & steroids as a back up. ( Supplied by her gp )

[Mellypad]

Hi Pauk, my mum had Sepsis in 2015 when she was brought in for an emergency operation on the bowel, although doctors never informed her afterwards that she had sepsis. But she struggled with her breathing after the operation and even though she had given up the fags, her chest felt heavier, I think it was from the sepsis. So with double pneumonia on top of that I'd imagine it will take several months to get back to normal. Maybe take it slowly with getting back to exercise, I'm like you and loved exercise and to feel normal I over do it, then I suffer for a week afterwards. Maybe talk to your GP the next time you are in with him/her.

[Milo1998]

I understand your situation and I have had severe double pneumonia in past and just recently suffered from Empyema, collapsed lung and pneumothorax. I found that gradually building up the intensity of my exercise and having cold showers in the morning, my strength levels and breathing have improved. I also take lots of vitamin C and Vitamin D3. I hope this helps. Yes I over did it too on the first week out of hospital, but you will find that your strength will gradually return. I am due back to the outpatient clinic next month to get me x ray and agree that you should carefully monitor this disease.