Just need some advice please. I was admitted to hospital after 3 weeks of having a chest infection, hacking cough and feeling poorly. I had 6 days of IV antibiotics and nebulisers.
I underwent various investigations such as CT Scan of my lungs to rule out a ‘flare up’ of my Vasculitis and saw the ENT team as I’d also had laryngitis for 3 weeks. All the tests came back clear.
I’ve been at home for a week now and I still have the hacking cough and feel so very fatigued. I complete the oral antibiotics today. I’m still using my home nebuliser.
I just wondered if anyone else had experienced a chest infection and how long did it take you to recover. Any tips to help speed up this process please as I can just about take a shower and dress before I have to lie down again feeling absolutely shattterd.
Many thanks in advance
JIll x
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If this was the joyfullness our cousin so kindly shared when he was visiting a few weeks ago - I can tell you that even relatively healthy people take a good 4 weeks to recover! My neighbours, younger than us and without notable health issues say it took them 3 weeks to feel even half recovered. I have no desire to have another dose!
Hi Jill, I was discharged 2 weeks after a 4 week stay in hospital with pneumonia, although my vasculitis is not in remission, I too feel extremely fatigued and have very little energy after the smallest effort.
I had a severe chest infection in December - a week before Christmas! - and ended up in hospital for a week; CRP 150+ down to 129 after 3 days treatment which included nebulisers, oxygen, IV antibiotics. Discharged with another week of "horse" size antibiotics. It took a good 3 weeks to feel even slightly better but after another 2 weeks l was back to my "normal" tiredness state.
You'll feel better soon l'm sure, just don't tery to rush things.
I had 3 bouts of pneumonia over 10 yrs ago now, 2 of which required Hospital admission. At the time I was very fit and well.
Each time it took me over 6 weeks before I felt anywhere back to my normal self. Severe infection/ sepsis can take a considerable amount of time to recover from, even in a “ normal “ healthy person. I think this is just beginning to be recognised with research on post sepsis syndrome ( I will see if I can find a link ).
Be kind to yourself, ensure a good diet, plenty of fluids and it might be worthwhile checking if your haemoglobin, Vit D and B12 levels are optimal. It’s important to get the right balance between keeping moving to prevent clots and muscle wastage but not doing so much that you have a set back.
I hope you start to feel better soon.
• in reply to
A link to post sepsis syndrome. Not saying this is what you have but its interesting that Dr’s are now studying the after effects of severe infection.
Just had a phone call from the hospital I was admitted to and informed I may have had flu, got to repeat the blood test. Also told my IGg was low, making me susceptible to infections. My Hb has also dropped quite significantly to 94. So at least I may now know why I’m feeling poorly after 5 weeks. Going to be seen at Addenbrookes this week for further test.
I get chest infections every 2 or 3 months. As a precaution I take a course of Doxycicline for 8 days. Though most chest infections are viral.
Post Viral Syndrome can last 1 or 2 months when you feel shabby.
Insist you have a pneumonia jab btw. It works. Pneumonia kills more folks than Flu!
After 30 years of research the National Cold Laboratory concluded : Vitamin C does not have an effect on the progress of an infection. Unless you are a heavy smoker.
Zinc : Orotate. Cheleate. Citrate or Piccolinate cuts the duration of a virus or bacterial infection by up to 50% (Solgar or Lamberts are good. But not Boots own. It has to be buffered in the forms above. I find zinc amazing. I've halved my chest and throat infections and they tend to last 2 or 3 days not 5 or 6
finally, and believe it or not a relatively new finding : Fill a pan with a third boiling water. Put your head under a tea towel. Breath through the mouth and out the nose. Only for a minute. Repeat hourly then 2 hourly.
I PROMISE everybody from my wife to my daughter to friends and even my GP! now do it.
It works like this: The high temperature kills/negates bacteria and viruses just in the same way we get a temperature when we are really ill so the body kills off the attack.
first symptoms of a chesty cough, please try it. You can even do it every half hour for say the evening.
I've wanted to share that for a while now. Sorry I didn't before. It's much better than my nebuliser or say Seretide. accuhaler.
Licquorice is a good anti inflammatory in tea.
Good Luck Hon.
Oh yes, and a really good micro filter hoover. Vax do one for £50.
I also use a Homemedics air filter. Its on permanently. I think Argos do it. It's around £70. But it sure does clean the air of dander pollen dust you name. Maybe you can get it on the NHS?
My Dr prescribed Clarithymicin for my chest infection. It is very strong and caused me nasty nausea/sickness, but it worked quite quickly, within 2 wks.. I would say, of course, do not take on an empty stomach. Hope this is of use.
Was seen at Addenbrookes yesterday and prescribed Doxycycline, prednisolone and tamiflu. They felt because of my chronic kidney failure and Vasculitis I just can’t fight this infection. They feel the tamiflu will do no harm
My IGg are low and if I get another bad infection within 3 months I will be referred to the immunology dept in case I need immunoglobulins. They are doing bloods to rule out a ‘ flare up’ of Vasculitis.
Hope you feel better soon Jill. I was at Addenbrookes on Friday and I got Doxycycline too, for my chest infection/pharyngitis. All the advice has been useful for me too, so I'm glad you asked. I live in Essex too: glad all the snow has nearly gone but wish the sun would shine so I could sit in the garden. Take care! Wendy
Glad to hear my post has been of some use to you too.
Hope the antibiotics work for you.
Can’t wait for better sunnier weather.
Best wishes
Jill x
Hi Jill. Among my multiple conditions, I have Bronchiectasis. Chest infections put me in hospital for 2 weeks on IV antibodie (Tazocin or Meropenham) I usually feel weak and feeble for about 2 months after this. The last time (Pneumonia and Pseudomonia) I was also on Oxygen and lost 3 days due to being unconscious as I had Sepsis.
I’m so sorry to read about your ongoing conditions and how chest infections affect you.
I’ve just felt so exhausted and fatigued all the time.
I’m always frightened of ending up in hospital as the standard of hygiene is often so poor I come out with more than I went in with. I’m a nurse and so I’m well aware of basic hygiene protocols that are not being followed, I’m afraid to say.
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