Lack of recovery from an Empyema

[KempSarah]

My partner who is 51 years old had double pneumonia, sepsis and an empyema in January this year (2019). He was in hospital for 2 weeks having the empyema drained and was on strong antibiotics. He's had check ups with the 3 different consultants (one was a 2nd opinion we asked for at Papworth Hospital) and he has been discharged now. He is STILL in chronic pain and taking painkillers constantly. The consultants have said this is due to lesions being left behind from the empyema and there is nothing they can do. He was just unlucky. Has anyone else had the same problems and pain? Any advice? I'm trying to find out which NHS hospital to ask the GP to refer him to.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi Sarah as your GP for advice on hospitals or nursing staff. I do hope you find the right hospital and that your dear husband starts to improve. Please let us know how he is and if you find the right hospital. Have a good night and take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx

[Hidden]

Hello KempSarah, I had exactly the same in Feb 20l5. I was hospitalised twice for a total of 8 weeks on IV abs after it was drained but I do have bronchiectasis. It took over a year for the dull ache to lessen and I still have a sharp pain in that area sometimes at the end of a deep breath. My con scanned me at least twice after the empyema to check that I was ok. The fluid left behind can form a 'rind' which is eventually absorbed but can 'catch' . If your husband has not had a follow up scan I suggest that the GP refers him to a good respiratory consultant for a thorough check up and a ct scan to check.

Look at the website of your closest teaching hospital and find a con. Then take the name to the GP. Good luck

[KempSarah in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Littlepom. My partner has had a follow up CT scan a couple of months ago and all checked out ok. He's just left with the pain and been told to just get on with it really. He's on amitriptylene and paracetamol but it doesn't really touch the pain he's got.

[Hidden in reply to KempSarah]

It's good that the ct checked out ok. We all feel pain differently and it seems that it is giving him a particularly hard time.

[Offcut]

I was in ICU for 32 days with Lung failure and Empyema. (2008) I had 2 chest drains plus a tracheostomy and was sent to another hospital for a decortination however they considered it to risky and put me on an Oscillator for 10 days. When I was eventually sent home. I had lost 3 stone in weight mainly muscle mass and it took me nearly a month to walk unaided. Because they did not remove the pus I had 15mm surround my lungs. This took over 18 months to clear. As a result I have exposed nerves which can cause pain if I have to breath deeply. I have found it has reduced but I was on heavy pain killers for many years which I have now stopped and take no opioids at all. The pain is no different to before with the opioid painkillers, I do take paracetamol

Sorry it is not probably what you wanted to hear but I now use mindfulness and distraction techniques for the pain. It does work. The more I have read up on the subject the more I realise they are not the answer for long term pain. But great for short term. But need to be managed correctly.

[KempSarah in reply to Offcut]

Thank you Offkut - it's very useful to know that there are other people with similar pain issues - albeit that your situation was obviously more serious than my partner's.

Nobody has mentioned exposed nerves being a possible issue for his pain, but he complains he can never get a full breath without pain.

I will continue my research for pain management for him - I use mindfulness myself so maybe this could help him too.

Thanks again

[Offcut in reply to KempSarah]

I wish him all the best I know I had hands like claws that I could hardly use due to lack of use while in Hospital but it all comes back slowly but surely just do not give in to it

[Susan1200]

Oh dear KempSarah ,I really wish 🌠I could advise you ,I sincerely wish 🌠 you and your husband all the very best ,I pray 🙏 you find a good hospital for your husband.

God bless you both 🕊