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Pleurisy and Chest Infection Clarithromycin

Posted , 112 users are following.

giuila
giuila

I really hope someone can give me some advice. Before Christmas I came down with a cold which turned into a chest infection. I didnt go to a GP as usually these things clear up. However by Christmas Eve I was starting to feel pretty bad and called the doctor but they were closed so I didn't go. Went on the 27th and was diagonosed with a chest infection and given Amoxicillin. I finished taking these but still felt bad and started to develop a pain under my right breast, almost like a pulled muscle or bruising of the ribs... I asked a doctor and he checked my pulse to rule out a pulmonary embolism???? and said you have pulled a muscle from coughing.... With that I left and carried on taking Ibuprofen which helped ease the pain. The Monday I had a strange incident where my heart was beating really fast and irregular and I felt sweaty, dizzy and couldnt stop shaking. I went home from work and thought about going to the doctors. Plus the pain in my right side was getting worse. I went back to the gp who said I was probably suffering with Pleuritic pain from the infection and he described me more antibiotics.. Amoxiclav...

I still felt bad and he asked me to go back the following Friday to check my blood pressure as it was slightly high.

Finished the Amoxiclav and suddenly felt bad again... nothing I have ever expereienced. Chest Pain, really bad cough, weak sweaty, extremely exhausted...no sense of smell, taste etc... so tired.

I went back again to the gp and broke down in tears as now the middle of January and things seem to be getting worse. He took blood and sent me to the hospital for a chest xray and the blood test he states shows an infection but no blood clot on the lung. The chest xray has also returned clear??? I rarely go the the doctors but he almost made me feel like a hyperchondriac...

He prescribed me more antibiotics but this time Clarithromycin 500mg twice per day.

I was hoping these would have kicked in by now but still feeling terrible and am taking these alongdside extra strength Ibuprofen and paracetamol for the pain in my chest.

I am starting to wonder if I will ever get better. I feel so low and down, I havent left the house for days and just want to sleep as I am feeling so exhausted.

Has anyone suffered from anything similar or know how long it takes to get over this... Its been over a month now and I just cant remember what it feels like to feel normal...

Sorry for the long post...

18 likes, 195 replies

195 Replies

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  • benny24760
    benny24760 giuila

    Posted

    Hi, I'm a guy from south Africa I've been having this kinda symtoms, but it started of from a night of partying, I woke up to a backdrop of blood in my spit from my nasal cavity and a throat infection, so I decided to buy flu gone which is a medication for infections such as bronchitis, and sore throats, it helped but suddenly I had chest pains, wit no coughing wat so ever, I should mention though wen I had the throat infection I had a bit of brown color phlegm, I had healed from the throat and nasal infection, I decided to go to a general practitioner last week Friday as I felt like I'd get a heart attack, I am 23 years of age this scared me a lot I should say, the doctor checked my breathing told me there was no sign of crackling in my lungs and gave me amoxelin antibiotics, which got finished today, I should say the pain is way better but I still have a mild pain in my neck and rib cage now and then though it's nothing compared to last week when I thought I was gonna die, I feel so miserable not knowing what's going on and I stress on whether I'll get better or wat, and I wanted to know would it help if the Dr prescribed another pack of antibiotics , cause I think I might have a chest infection and maybe it hadn't cleared, but with another prescription perhaps it would help, though I'm going to see him tomorrow.
    • jill1938
      jill1938 benny24760

      Posted

      Hi Benny, I'm sure when you return to your GP tomorrow he will take a listen to your chest again, and feel sure that if you feel it hasn't cleared up that the doctor will give you a second course of antibiotics, this has happened to me on many occasions where I have had to have a second course, I'm still struggling with my chest although feel I should say I do have Copd & asthma, I've got to know my chest/lungs quiet well, I've always got a back up course of antibiotics and steroids, maybe you could do with a course of prednisone too, to give your chest/lungs a boost, let us know how you get on ~Jill~
    • benny24760
      benny24760 jill1938

      Posted

      Tanx Jill hopefully I get well and get that second course of antibiotics, and I'll most definitely let u know.
  • sarah87684
    sarah87684 giuila

    Posted

    Omg. Reading this post I swear it's my live.  I live in Saudi. & have done for 31/2 years. Iv never been in so much pain. I'm sick as a chip. Was ill with a bit of cold the went on my chest. 1st lot of antibiotics seem to work then 2 days after finishing the cause I started with this rib pain all along under by breast bone.  Trying to move. & OMG sneezing. So back to docs. More antibiotics this cause 2 alday for 3 days. They finished now & im still in pain not sleeping back to the docs on Sunday to redo the X-ray.  Were do we go from here. This has gone on since start of May.  
  • s15787
    s15787 giuila

    Posted

    Hi hun I don't know if this helps as this was a year ago but look up costochondritis as I had it and was exactly the same. X
  • kathryn39974
    kathryn39974 giuila

    Posted

    I am so sorry to hear you have suffered so giuila. I can only think it is 21st Century super bugs!!!! Somehow the antibiotics are not having the same effect. I have a chest infection at the moment and a place in my lower lobe of my left lung the Dr says. I was given Doxycycline had to take two after lunch take with food. A few moments later was terribly sick. I phoned the Dr who asked me some questions. Short story is she still wants me to be on it. Finish the course!!!! I dread taking one tomorrow. If I am sick again I have to let her know tomorrow. I am sure there is an alternative.

    Hope the Dr can do something soon for you. I would go back even if it is to see a different Dr. As seeing someone different may put a different perspective on things. 

    Best wishes

    Katbabe

    hope you feel better soon but I think this is what the problem is that you are having the antibiotics do not seem to be working. You may need another antibiotic. My attacks of chest infections have been going on since before Christmas and last year was bad enough.

     

  • Broncogirl8
    Broncogirl8 giuila

    Posted

    Hello,  I discovered your post after searching for something else on the internet, but because both my daughter and I have had this 2 years ago, I thought I would post.  We had it for almost a year; really thought I was done for.  Spent much $ and no one could diagnose the real issue.   No steroids or antibiotics we were given helped at all.

    My chiropractor actually told me he had seen this before; gave me the cure; all better in 1 WEEK!   Once you get this though, keep in mind, you are easily suseptible.   Anyway, he told me to put a himalayan salt lamp near each of our beds to help ease breathing.  Oxygen therapy helps because you will be very low on oxygen. Pleuresy root tonic will completely eliminate all symptoms quickly if taken twice a day.  

    Hope this helps someone shorten the suffering.  We had it for so long.  

  • Broncogirl8
    Broncogirl8 giuila

    Posted

    Hello,  I discovered your post after searching for something else on the internet, but because both my daughter and I have had this 2 years ago, I thought I would post.  We had it for almost a year; really thought I was done for.  Spent much $ and no one could diagnose the real issue.   No steroids or antibiotics we were given helped at all.

    My chiropractor actually told me he had seen this before; gave me the cure; all better in 1 WEEK!   Once you get this though, keep in mind, you are easily suseptible.   Anyway, he told me to put a himalayan salt lamp near each of our beds to help ease breathing.  Oxygen therapy helps because you will be very low on oxygen. Pleuresy root tonic will completely eliminate all symptoms quickly if taken twice a day.  

    Hope this helps someone shorten the suffering.  We had it for so long.  

  • tanya41331
    tanya41331 giuila

    Posted

    Hi Giuila,

    I was trying to check if clarithromycin ever helped. Thank you

  • janabat
    janabat giuila

    Posted

    Hi im just going through COMPLETELY same as you with COMPLETELY same tablets prescribed BUT i also got inhaler to make me breath easier.

    So what helped to you on the end and what was it...do y know? I just came home frome emergency as i experience pain as u writing and doc gave me inhaller and now instead of amoxiclav i got Clarithromicin for 7 daya and if no good then i may get Xray

  • vb55676
    vb55676 giuila

    Posted

    Try these steps -

    - GAARGLE TWICE A DAY WITH WARM WATER AND SALT  IN IT ( OR YOU CAN PUT ANTYBACTARIAL THROAT WASH IN PLACE OF SALT).

    -CONTINUTHIS FOR ATLEAST TWO WEEKS.

    -EAT / DRINK NOTHING FROM THE FRIDGE

    -MIX A SPOON OF ROASTED CHICK-PEA POWDER ( besan ) WITH WARM MILK AND SUGAR, TO DRINK EERY NIGHT BEFORE BED.

    -THE ABOVE SHOULD EASE PAIN AND GRADUALLY CURE YOUR INFECTION.

    -DONT STOP TAKING ANTIBIOTICS

  • melissa55652
    melissa55652 giuila

    Posted

    Hi all did you all get better,

    Iv chest infection 7 weeks now its just gone on too long. I'm worried ill be left stuck with it indefinitely. It's so hard trying to push through work.

    Here's my story - defo bacterial as no runny nose etc just mushroomed in the lung(left). I'm a very light or social smoker but if I smoke too many an infection just harbours in my lung without any virus. Silly I know but so unfair.

    Went to doc after 2 weeks of night sweats no energy chills in my bloodstream headache dizziness chest tightness n pain. Given amoxicillin 250mgs x 3 for 5 days. It was only when I got home I seen this pathetic dose otherwise would have changed it myself. I think coz my chest was clear he though it wasn't that bad or viral but it woz bad. Stupidly I took these low dose amox n my fear realized bacteria became resistant coz it wasn't strong enough n it was actually working. On day 3 I felt so much better chest cleared headache gone n energy just came back BUT I could still feel it there a bit n it grew back. I really regret taking this dose n should have went back to my own doc to get a proper dose.

    Went back to doc one day after I knew infection still wasn't dead. Got given doxycycline - did nothing. Then got amoxicillin stronger dose but of course this was pointless as antibiotic already resistant. Then got zinnat which I read works exactly same as penicillin n is its close cousin n they give it to people allergic to penicillin. I think this is why this didn't work coz it kills bacteria in sane way n this bacteria now has protectors up.

    At this point docs refusing to prescribe me anymore n I think they thinking I'm hypochondriac.

    Also my chest is clear on a stepascope but just wanna say you don't akwaya hear those little bugs in your lung as iv seen many posts here. I then prescribed got co amiclav myself but after 3 days nothing so stopped this is meant to have ingredient to stop bacteria becoming resistant but I think this only works if it's not resistant already n just prevent it happening before it happens.

    How I feel no mucus but lung feels so tight like there's a leather belt wrapped around it n it feels numb. I KNOW there is bacteria in there hense the tightness. I'm also still wrecked zero energy low grade headache n dizzy can't think straight. Actually having suicidal thoughts as can't take it anymore. N I dunno how am gonna shift it when it's not causing lung sounds what docs understand. My back n lung is all spasmed with tightness from this bacteria n iv an ill feeling n nausea.

    LAST CHANCE SALOON*****

    So iv one antibiotic left which I wanted to avoid at all costs coz it depletes your potassium but now iv no choice ill do anything to get rip of this bug. I'd rather be raped God forgive me or I dunno whipped lashed but take this flipping bug outta my lung please. So this is it clarithromycin help me please I think this one works completely different so I'm hoping the barriers this bacteria has up doesn't matter...after this I dunno. I'll try get in contact with respiratory specialist but it's all waiting lists I really don't wanna go down a long road iv been through enough of sickness n this coulda been killed with amoxicillin first time had it not been underdosed by stupid doc.

    My uncle is going through similar thing n 5 different antibiotics but nothing worked he's getting lung biopsy next. He's been told by one specialist that a bacterial infection can clear up on its own after 3 months that's reassuring but there's no guarantee of this.

  • melissa55652
    melissa55652 giuila

    Posted

    Hi all help in sane situation 7 weeks now I'm zapped did you all get better

    Iv added complication of a doc underdosing me the amoxicillin n it WAS working great but not strong enough to kill off n bacteria became resistant. Now I don't think anything will work on it.

    I'm in a trap this is worst case scenario n I feared this when I seen pathetic dose of 250mgs bds x 5 days just enough for bacteria to become resistant.

    This is a nightmare. Help!

    • lynne69494
      lynne69494 melissa55652

      Posted

      This seems to be happening more often, and we know theres all the big media hype about anti b resistent, so usual response, either too many or none or not enough, when it should be indvidiual response. lve spoke to two taxi drivers, youngish men, both had gone to surgery with usual cough, chest discomfort, breathing probs, told virus, etc, one inisisted on anti bs, but like the other ended up a and e, one actually collapsed in waiting area, woke up in icu for a week, week on ward, other admitted for week on ward, both pneumonia, but heard of other areas where dismisssed as virus, etc, with women also common to get phycalogical or your age if your above 50.  Noticed with my son  and a few others ive spoke to, when theyve infection, and baceria, being given short courses, 3-5 days of low dose anti bs, for some like you its just not enough to finish bacteria off, does curtail it so you improve  A but but not enought to stop it coming back, ridiculous, if older at risk,  Wonder if there,s common sense anywhere in whatever profession even when its your life at risk or an existence of suffering and serious restrictions, poor quality life, if its a disease where they cant cure of help much and this is your lot, well youve to live wit it, but if its something can be cured or treated well to improve quality and its not due to medical practises, be it the 1,2,3 text book, or cut backs, well its not right.  l hope you improve, l could go into my experiences fill the page up, and just recovering from bad bout, so still knacked, will research and read write more later, keep us posted hwo your doing, take care. 
    • melissa55652
      melissa55652 lynne69494

      Posted

      Thanks Lynn interesting about 2 taxi drivers. Glad someone knows something. So much imcompetance in medical the right dosage should never be an issue. It's even in mims book (doc n nurse book on medications) that underdosing antibiotics is the most common cause of treatment failure n resistance so if it's in that book it must have happened a lot but it seems I'm only one n my docs r refusing to believe this has happened as if it can't happen or something even though it can so easily happen given too low a dose is just like feeding it just enough to adapt or finishing courses too early which I think is more thing of the past. It's a joke n like basically a living nightmare n yes seems I could have to 'live' with it coz it's not serious even though it's making me unwell. The lengths they go to 4 some things but hey ho if they can't see it on some frickin test it's not there to them n basically in your head. I'll keep battling on anyway in the hope of a soluble n getting believed.

      Hope you feel better soon. I will let you know how I get on, thanks.

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