Pleurisy?

[Lag67]

Hi I have been having sharp pains in the right hand side of my chest, in my sternum and under my ribs, dry cough with minimal sputum and pain in shoulder, i rang my surgery yesterday to say I was feeling breathless and tried to say about the pain, the receptionist cut me off by saying she didn't believe I required a urgent spot and to ring back today, the pain was really bothering me so I rang 111 for advice, after speaking to them a ambulance was tasked to me, the crew came out and did my temp, oxygen levels and a heart trace, all were ok and he said he thought I may have pleuroric muscle strain and that I may be at the start of a infection, i have taken co codamol and naproxen but still feel rough, can any one tell me if it could be pleurisy starting, can I walk into a miu unit for treatment as my docs are closed and the receptionist i spoke to last night appears to be able to diagnose whether anyone is need of treatment or not, in my case I not in need ? I really feel rough and need advice . TIA

[Hidden]

Complain to your doctor's manger and go to hospital and get checked out there if you are seriously worried

[corriena]

Yes it could be. It could also be any number of things. go back to gp and insist on a appointment.

[Hidden]

Normally they tell you to go to your GP the following day? He should have your file report..you need an xray and antibiotics if it is pleurisy. So you will have to phone 111 or emergency again and saying that your symptoms have worsened and you have been denied a GP appointment if you don’t feel like going to wait in A&E.

Take care x

[Badbessie]

Personally I think your symptoms could be due to a number of reasons. First!y I would ring 111 for advice. If they believe you need follow up the will arrange an appointment at your local walk in centre. This can save you a lot of waiting time. When I did this they did a C reactive protein test. Basically a pick at the end of your finger. They had the result a few minutes later. The levels were raised to a point that indicated an infection. I was was started on antibiotics. I am surprised that that the ambulance crew did not follow up more given you have a lung condition.

[SecondLife]

Been through this last weekend, called 111 and they sent an ambulance (I knew I didn't need one), crew were very good and said they thought I had an infection (higher blood pressure indicated this), they said to call 111 and insist you speak to an out of hours GP, which I did. GP eventually rang and said "I can only give you pain relief so not much point in me seeing you, go and see your GP on Monday". Fought for an appointment on Monday and was told I had pleurisy

[Hidden in reply to SecondLife]

Better being safe than sorry.

[SecondLife in reply to Hidden]

I would agree but I was not a happy bunny with the response from the out of hours GP

[Fennella02]

That’s not a good approach from your surgery. I get infection and non-infection pleurisy quite regularly. If its bacterial then you need antibiotics and if not then you possibly need steroids and/or anti-inflammatories and effective pain relief. It could also be costochondritis which is difficult to differentiate and utter agony but involves the musculoskeletal system rather than the respiratory system.