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Pneumonia

DanyL91 profile image
24 Replies

Hi, I’m reaching out for help, advice! I went to out of hours surgery on Wednesday evening, because I had chest pains, breathless, really breathless. My heart rate was high and I had some white cell spike, (bloods taken Monday). I was told to head round to a&e because I could potentially have a clot in my chest. Turns out after getting seen too, I have pneumonia. Even though I was given my first lot of antibiotics via IV, im now on day 3 of taking oral antibiotics at home. Tonight, so far has been horrendous, aside from the regular chest pains, and right shoulder pain, the pain has now spread to my back, specifically the right side. I have pain in my mouth, head, ears. Im sweating. I can’t find a comfortable position to sleep in. Im hallucinating. Today I thought was a good day, had a 10 min walk, did some normal things.

I guess im just here for anyone else’s experiences..is this normal occurrence? I understand everyone is different. Obviously the staff in a&e were stretched beyond belief and I just need some more info. I was kind of just given the antibiotics to take home, and was told to get picked up. No mention of after care. I have been trying to research symptoms and reliefs online. Kind of feel quite alone.

I’m 31 next week, I have asthma..non smoker and a single mother.

Thank you 🙏🏽

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DanyL91
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24 Replies
claracola profile image
claracola

Poor you! Definitely call 111 if u carry on feeling so bad. Can't offer any advice but do hope you are soon improving, x

You definitely need more help. Do ring 111. A&E fixed you up and got rid of you, probably thinking that you would be ok because you are young but it wasn't enough. You probably need to be in hospital on longer term IV. Please ring 111 and make sure that you get across just how bad it is.

BronchyBronwen profile image
BronchyBronwen

Please take advice from Littlepom. She's absolutely right. They have discharged you too early, I would think. If told again to get picked up from hospital, say "there isn't anybody". If you're alone as a single Mum, lay it on thick with a trowel. Please let us know how you get on.

One tip for you and others: always insist on a Discharge Summary to be given direct to you before leaving hospital as an in-patient. Don't be fobbed off with "we'll send it to your GP". I used to just sit there until I got one when looking after my late Mum. I realise things are pretty horrendous now with demands on increasingly underfunded NHS, but always worth doing.

Badbessie profile image
Badbessie

Personally I would ring 111 and ask for further advice. You may need different antibiotics or a combination of antibiotics. By the sound of it you may need stronger pain medications.

Nula2 profile image
Nula2

Hi Danyl, I was taken to A&E last September and it turned out I had pneumonia. I was given antibiotics and sent home, but they did say if you don't improve in the next few days or feel worse don't hesitate to ring 999 and come straight back to us, they said please do not ignore your symptoms. (I am 70 next month and underweight so maybe that worried them but surely your age shouldn't stop them helping you) So I would say on the advice they gave me you need to go back. Really hope you can get it sorted and start to feel better.

Damon1864 profile image
Damon1864Volunteer

Hi Danny I agree with everyone else you need to be in hospital please ring 111 get there advice. Hope you feel better soon have a good day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

madonbrew profile image
madonbrew

I agree with all the others! Ring 111! I hope you get the help you need to feel better really soon and start feeling better soon! Let us know how you get on!

leo60 profile image
leo60

I agree with the others too! Hope they sort you out properly this time and that you start feeling better soon. Sending hugs 🤗🤗 xx

Patk1 profile image
Patk1

Ru taking painkillers? Ru having any probs breathing? Pneumonia is a nasty infection and antibiotics take time to work whn infections moved in.do rest up until u feel better and drink extra fluids.hope u begin to feel better soon.x

MoyB profile image
MoyB

Hi Danyl91. You're really going through it at the moment, aren't you?

Do you have an underlying lung condition, or has this pneumonia come out of the blue? Does it follow COVID? Have you vomited recently and inhaled some into your lungs? Any of these things can make a difference to the treatment you are given.

Whatever, you're feeling pretty awful at the moment, I can tell, and if I were you, I would be on the phone to 111 again asap to explain the symptoms clearly and concisely. Don't hold back on telling them exactly how you are feeling. If you need to go to hospital again, I hope you have someone who can help you with childcare so that you're not worried about being away from your child.

From my own experience, I know that an untreated or inappropriately treated infection can damage your lungs and lead to further problems so the sooner you get it sorted out, the better for you.

I wish you all the best and hope things are better for you soon.

xx Moy

DanyL91 profile image
DanyL91

Thank you everyone for your advice. This morning I rang 111 and got an out of hours appointment. I do have pleurisy now..which explains the new pains. I’m now on more antibiotics and they’ve also given me stronger pain relief. I also managed to see a copy of my discharge letter which I never got, this was very helpful. Let’s see how it goes.

Thank you again..take care of yourselves xx

Trustyourmind profile image
Trustyourmind in reply to DanyL91

I have chronic aspiration pneumonia, and I dislike it very much! Currently I've gone for about 4 months without it coming back. I always can tell when I do have it, fever, congestion more than normal for my already congested chest, and a feeling of "doom" LOL! Antibiotic pills normally take care of it for me. Although my Primary CareMD wants to confirm it being pneumonia per an X-Ray, my Pulmonary doctor agrees that an X-Ray does not always show pneumonia being present, a CT scan does. Thus I always have to fight to get the help I need (a prescription for antibiotics) and go through a lot of waiting for things to happen for my getting help. Hope you are getting the help you need. Your body normally knows when you need help.

peege profile image
peege in reply to DanyL91

Ah I've just scrolled down to see you've been to doc, brilliant! For the pleurisy pain - which i know is excruciatingon breathing, coughing and moving, tucking a rolled up towel underarm of the worst side helps keep that side immobile and allows for deeper breathing which is essential for ridding lungs of gunk. (Advice from a physiotherapist recently, it worked). All the best Peege

watergazer profile image
watergazer in reply to peege

I did this and also used a hot water bottle on the painful side. X

slram profile image
slram in reply to DanyL91

Please take a probiotic between antibiotics.

Lutontown profile image
Lutontown

Doesn't sound like you've had a scan? You may have pleurisy as well as pneumonia. If you're in hospital, who looks after your child? You may need a number of antibiotics, including IV. Hospital is where you need to be. I believe long periods where bacteria run amok in your lungs can do irrepairable damage. You should be in hospital I think, especially as you are asthmatic. But the hospitals are in a mess, and I don't think that covid is a major problem, and I hate to think what's going to happen in the winter.

peege profile image
peege

Trust the replies you have received Dany91, members here are all experienced patients with lung health/disease. You are very poorly and need more support especially with the high temperature you have. Try also calling your GP explaining whats going on. You have a fever. I've had pneumonia several times, being a tough cookie when I was younger & got a chronic chest infection I used to 'carry on' foolishly believing my natural immunity would sort it out. Untreated pneumonia can cause lung damage - sorry to alarm you however, being a young single mum your future health is so important to you- well done for finding advice on here!Calling 111 could help get to a GP asap in the meantime do ring the helpline here on 0300 555 2800 during office hours they're brilliant and can advise you on what to do right now.

A&E is for people in your situation so don't worry about putting them out - you'll be preventing a hospital stay which will cost them much more.

Which antibiotic are you on? It's vital that its a good one (not amoxicillin) and enough for at least 2 weeks.

Thinking of you and all the best. P

Otto11 profile image
Otto11

I would either go back to A & E or call 111 for sure as it can cause long term damage if not correctly treated. I learnt the hard way so do try not to be fobbed off. It must be awful being so ill & also on your own. I hope things improve for you x

Mooka profile image
Mooka

So pleased you got sorted. Both pleurisy and pneumonia take a while to get over. Please pace yourself or you will feel rotten again.

Mavary profile image
Mavary

It sounds to me like you should be in hospital. Maybe phone your Dr and tell them you are not well wenough to go down. Or phone 111. For advice.

Schmu profile image
Schmu

I can empathize! It was so horrible when I had pneumonia. I just wanted to let you know that I regret not being more proactive when I got it bc I had lots of long term complications from it. Also, please rest after you initally recover. I didnt (because I have 3 kids) and I ended up with NTM. (A really terrible bacterial infection.) I hope you are getting the care you need. Sarah

jhorsf profile image
jhorsf

Hospital , maybe you need different antibiotics after 2 days in hospital I was sent home with 2 lots of antibiotics one was a combination of 2 strong ones. You need to be in hospital

watergazer profile image
watergazer

Pneumonia and pleurisy can take ages to clear. I had iv meds then a few doses of antibiotics and lots of painkillers IAs peeve said I found a rolled up towel and a hot water bottle helpful for the pleurisy. Advice given by my daughter in law - physio- and son - doctor. Take care. I wish you well. Xx

slram profile image
slram

I just got ovr viral pneumonia and it took 7 months. Please stay hydrated and make sure you get Pedialyte into you along with water. The antibiotics need to kick in, then you should improve soon. If not, get back there. The back pain is probably pleurisy, which I got also whe I had peumonia. That was awful and layig on the paiful side actually eases the pain. Please keep us posted. There should be some improvement soon. Take care and don't try to do things the first chance you think you feel better. God bless!

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