Pleurisy

[tlc22]

Hi I have been unwell for the last 4 weeks, I suffer from asthma and have been on a course of steroids and antibiotics. Now suffering from pleurisy, I feel like I am never going to feel normal again. Currently lying awake in pain, with two hot water bottles. Reading some previous posts it seems it can last for several weeks. Any tips for coping with the pain at night would be great. I’m new to the site ...

[Badbessie]

I have had several episodes of pleurisy. Rest and a gentle heat over the effected area can help. Keep as upright in bed as possible to allow the muscles in the chest to function as well as possible. You may also need a step up in pain medications if you are just on over the counter medications.

[tlc22 in reply to Badbessie]

Thank you. How long did it last when you experienced it?

[Badbessie in reply to tlc22]

From memory my last bout lasted 3 weeks. The one before that lasted 6 weeks. The one thing I have learned is the more you push recovery the longer recovery takes. I wish I could give you a more encouraging answer but time is the only true healer. It is a horrible condition.

[Tranquille]

Hello - sorry to hear that and do understand as I am now in week 4. I've found laying on the side where the pain is helps. Also, placing a rolled up towel under the side i am laying on - takes a bit of fiddling to get the right position but oddly this seems to help.

Breathing can be painful but I also try to do some breathing exercises as (I use an app called breathe but there are many). I started doing this as just continuously taking shallow breaths seems to ramp up the stress / anxiety and by dint discomfort.

I've posted a question on pleurisy myself and the replies and experiences of others has reassured me. You will hopefully start to feel better but I think this thing needs time. Good luck.

[tlc22 in reply to Tranquille]

Thanks for this, it’s somehow comforting to know I’m not alone. I’m starting to dread bedtime... will try the towel trick. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[Tranquille in reply to tlc22]

Thank you -likewise. A pillow in-between your knees (bent / straight) can help ease the pressure if the position gets uncomfortable on your back too.If the towel too uncomfortable just lay on the side where the pain is. Hope you find some relief and from the posts it seems like many are dealing with this at the moment so you're not alone.

[tlc22 in reply to Tranquille]

I’m on prescription codeine and thankfully can take low dose ibuprofen and I can still feel the pain. Truest awful. Hoping to get a few hours of peaceful sleep tonight.

[peege]

I feel for you. I've had it a few times too and also had fractured ribs on 2 occasions, the pain is very similar indeed.

Recently I met a physiotherapist on a dog walk when I was groaning with pain.

She told me that they suggest tucking a rolled up towel under arm of affected side to get about and it really worked hallelujah. Try it.

She also advised me to be very careful to continue to get breath as deeply as possible in to lungs as it'svery common to get a chest infection with broken ribs from the inability to clear lungs by coughing. I guess that's why pneumonia followed my pleurisy twice. so please do try to find a comfortable position where you can breath.

Good luck to you. P

[tlc22 in reply to peege]

Thanks for your reply it is indeed very painful. I will try the towel trick.

[peege in reply to tlc22]

I think the reason it helps is that you're holding the rolled towel in place with your arm so the rib cage doesn't move and catch you out with the searing pain, hopefully / perhaps allowing some healing inside xx

[Tranquille]

Hi -Badbessie's post below is spot on. I would also add lying on the side where you feel the pain. Sounds odd but I find it works. Also for me but not for some it helps to place a rolled up towel under the same side and a pillow in between my knees to ease the strain on my back. If you can get an app or read up on some deep breathing exercises .I know breathing deeply can cause varying amounts of pain but try and do some to help relax /calm etc if anything else it forces you to not focus just on the pain but on something positive for yourself. Good luck. I hope you get some sleep.

[tlc22 in reply to Tranquille]

Hi just wondered how you are feeling ? Hopefully some improvement

[Rachdoll]

Hi - this forum has made me feel I’m not alone ..

I’ve been suffering with pleurisy for around 10 weeks now .. after a nasty bout of pneumonia. Some days the pain feels like it’s going and I do too much and when it’s back again - hurts to deep breathe and cough especially yawn! Had 6 different lots of antibiotics ranging from doxycycline to clarithromycin ( that seemed the best) and also take naproxen every day. I just hope the pain on deep breathing goes completely. I’ve been told that it may be scar tissue causing the pain - feel like it’s never ending . I’ve never smoked and lead a healthy lifestyle so shocked I’ve had this. It’s on my right side and under breastbone and radiates to my shoulder . I find sometimes It’s like a dry cutting pain , awful!

[tlc22 in reply to Rachdoll]

Oh wow I feel the same way why me am I ever going to get better ? Have been unwell since early March Drs think it could have been covid. Pleurisy arrived 2 weeks ago the pain is unbelievable. I too have had two lots of abiotics and steroids. Also on naproxen luckily I don’t have a problem with this. I can feel my chest almost on fire when pain relief is due. Pain is mainly right side and shoulders and this evening was in my upper chest. I constantly have a hot water bottle with me. Funny you should mention scar tissue I can almost feel a band of pain in my lungs. Hope you get some sleep. X

[tlc22 in reply to Rachdoll]

Forgot to add having searched the internet extensively it says clears up around two weeks😩this hasn’t happened for me.