Pneumonia

[Chalky2]

Hi everyone two or three weeks ago I posted how my breathing had deteriorated suddenly and was put on antibiotics as my sputum test revealed a bacterial infection, I did not get any better and it was found after being admitted to hospital I have pneumonia came out of hospital last Friday but I have no energy whatsoever although my breathing has slightly Improved not much appetite at all. Does anyone know how long it will be before I get back to at least able to do a few jobs because at the moment I have no energy whatsoever thank you Pauline

[peege]

I'm afraid it will be sometime before you feel completely well again. Pneumonia really knocks you or six, even more so if you're already compromised with a lung disease.

Don't overdo it, eat little and often if you can. If you live alone you might get in some ready meals in the freezer (M&S have the least additives in them). Drink plenty of fluids. My go to on the road to recovery is effervesant vitamin c (3 for 2 in Boots & most supermarkets) 1000mg in a large glass of water at least 2 X daily, the Vit c helps rebuild your immune system. Personally, I always take a high billion probiotic to counteract all the antibiotics.

Others will reply soon with their experiences. I've had pneumonia 5 times, each time taking months to get over. Take care, P

[Chalky2 in reply to peege]

Thank you so much I will follow your advice Pauline

[peege in reply to Chalky2]

👍 I forgot to say, ensure you get a pneumonia jab if you haven't had one already and the flu jab next September/October

[Chalky2 in reply to peege]

Yes I have had a pneumonia jab some time ago and I have a flu jab every year thank you again

[Boeta in reply to peege]

Your advice is 150% correct....thank you

[Boeta in reply to peege]

.....yes and do this all the time even if there is no flu or illness...I allow my immune system to do ALL the work....the body/mind is SUPER INTELLIGENT

[pegbl]

I recently had Pneumonia, it does take some time to recover from it . I was really surprised how weak i felt when I came home it took me a good six weeks to get back on my feet and even now (2months) I'm still playing catch up to try and get back to where I was before. Everyone's advice was slow but sure and that's what I'm doing. If you look up some of the other members experiences with Pneumonia you will find lots of helpful advice.

Take care Peg xxx

[Chalky2 in reply to pegbl]

Thank you pegbl can I just ask if you lost your appetite as well as me and how long it took to come back thank you Pauline

[pegbl in reply to Chalky2]

Yes just eat little bits at fist wasn't interested in food at all but I knew I had to build my self up, it does start to come back to you but it takes time .....that was the biggest shock to me how long it takes to get over Pneumonia. Just take it steady and you will get there. Xxxx

[Chalky2 in reply to pegbl]

I am trying to eat but am struggling terribly I feel sick and burp a lot when I put food in my mouth I just heave, really need to overcome this but at a loss at the moment trouble is the weight is falling off me Pauline

[pegbl in reply to Chalky2]

It will come back you just have to try little bits and take it slowly.... I too lost some weight at first but I was pleased with that bit as I needed to.....it soon came back once my appetite started building again. Don't let it worry you to much, you will get there given time.

Xxx Peg

[Chalky2 in reply to pegbl]

Thank you Peg I will try not to worry xxxxx Pauline

[Kristen48]

I am still recovering from pneumonia after 9 weeks. I feel much better in myself but do you get tired easily and have to pace myself. Your appetite will soon come back. I wish mine hadn’t as I can’t stop eating now! Keep up the fluids and take baby steps to exercise gradually. Pneumonia seems to have a long recovery journey but with the advice you have been given you will soon feel better. The advice and support I received from this forum has played a significant part in my recovery. Take care x

[Caspiana]

Hello Pauline. Great advice from everyone. I just wanted to wish you well and say take it easy. It will take time. Don't try and rush your recovery. Best wishes to you.

Cas xx 🙋🌷

[Chalky2 in reply to Caspiana]

Thank you xxx

[Chestyblocked]

It leaves you very weak but you will recover Listen to you body Eat what you fancy I lived on sandwich’s for a while Rest every aft Sleep a lot and Fresh Air Keep Going xx

[Ergendl]

Hope you start to feel stronger soon, Chalky.

[Sazza57]

Hi Chalky2

I had pneumonia in Jan/Feb which lasted about 6 weeks (pseudomonas was the offender). I can understand that you still feel weak- baby steps are the answer.

I have Emphysema FEV 31 so it knocked me sideways but now I feel I am getting stronger.

It does take months rather than weeks which comes as a bit of a shock but it will happen- the challenge is to get your fitness back without pushing too hard.

Wishing you a successful recovery.

[DeeSending]

As everyone has said it takes time to recover. I have organising pneumonia which stays in the lungs spiking with climate extremes. I have found that drinking lots of hot water, at least 3 litres each day helps the continual coughing and forces me to exercise going to the loo. For every week I have pneumonia it takes another four to get over it. Don’t be hard on yourself as your body needs to heal. I’ve been ill for 18 months and now can walk 2 kms each day. If you feel tired- sleep. You’ve earned it. It’s the body’s way of getting better just like a cat. Once food didn’t taste like blotting paper I knew I was getting better. You’ve probably lost a lot of weight which saps your energy anyway. Take care, we’re all holding hands with you in the middle.

[Chalky2 in reply to DeeSending]

Thank you all so much xxx Pauline

[watergazer]

Pneumonia is a biggy! Take months to get back to normal. Tiny step by step is the way to recover.

[Hacienda]

Hi Pauline, It does take awhile to Leave your "System", All the advise to your Post are so Valuable. I too went into Hospital with an Exacerbation,(2016) came out with Pneumonia and straight back in. I was up and feeling Better after a few weeks of Rest, but doing armchair Exercises as not to Cease up, Plenty of water and your Meds . Get well very Soon Hun. xxxxx

[Chalky2 in reply to Hacienda]

Thank you if only I could eat a little and enjoy it would be so much better, I probably feel so weak as my age is not on my side I’m nearly 81yrs old so that has a factor. I appreciate all your good wishes so thank you Pauline xxx

[Mavary]

Hi Chalky 2. I had pneumonia last year and it took months to get over it. The best thing you can do is rest in the first instance. Give it about a month then do little things every day for a week. Obviously do the essential things like getting your meals and making a cup of tea. Do a little more the next week and so on. It takes time but you will get there. If it decides we’re going to have some summer sit outside for a few minutes but don’t get cold. I sound just like my Mother! Your body will tell you what to do and when to do it. I hope you’re feeling better soon.

[peege]

Hi, I hope you're feeling a little tiny bit better today. Regarding the appetite, I do believe that the antibiotics play a big part - and we couldn't do without them of course - they play havoc with our digestive systems as they kill off all the good stuff as well as the bacteria in our lungs. Hence the probiotics I suggested, they help the digestive system get back to normal while you're recovering. I remember I used to put lemon juice in my nutritious soups to make them tickle my tastebuds.

It will get better but you do to eat little and often to regain some stamina & weight. All the best, P

[Izb1]

Hi Chalky, sorry to be so late replying. My friend had pneumonia a couple of years ago and she was really poorly, it took ages for her to get back to normal. All the advice you have been given regarding eating little and often, as well as sleeping whenever you feel tired is correct, this is the only way to move forward. Peege is right vitamin c and probiotics will help as will homemade soups. Do you have family near by who can help with this. I do hope you get better soon. Take good care. Irene x

[sassy59]

Just want to wish you well Pauline. One day at a time. Xxx 😘

[Chalky2 in reply to sassy59]

Thank you sassy xx

[Comino2]

I was hospitalised at the end of last year with pneumonia and when I got home I found it so difficult to eat very much.I had no energy and even if I forced myself to prepare a small snack it was such a struggle to enjoy it as everything seemed to taste like soap and even my favourite coffee suddenly tasted too strong even with just half a spoonful.I asked the pharmacist about it when collecting my meds and he looked at my tongue and said I had a very bad case of oral thrush more than likely caused by the massive doses of antibiotics both intravenously and orally I had been given in hospital.Without them I may not be here now as my lungs are not in good shape but they have their side effects.After special oral medication and probiotics It cleared up and food tasted much better and I was more inclined to eat.The less you eat the less you want to eat and it can become a vicious cycle.Try to eat a little more each day and rest when you feel tired which is usual after such a nasty infection.It took me a couple of months to get back to how I was.You will get stronger each day .Very best wishes to you xx

[Chalky2 in reply to Comino2]

Thank you so much I just feel sick all the time but trying to rise above it and eat small but often I will get myself checked for thrush I too have been on simply loads of anti biotics so I will take your advice xx Pauline