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PLEURISY DURATION

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

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

PAINFUL 24-7

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  • lyndsey87208
    lyndsey87208 Guest

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with second stage ??? Pleurisy and pneumonia about 5 weeks ago. I actually thought I was having a heart attack as my chest felt as though it were being squashed from both sides. My left side of my back was agony, high temp and generally feeling totally crap!! Initially at the hospital they thought I had clots on my lungs, but decided- thankfully that this was not the case and diagnosed the above. I have had 4 types of antibiotics and the usual painkillers. I actually thought I was getting better- pain wise- but the absolute exhaustion was really taking it out of me- especially after I returned to work for half days .

    now 5 weeks on I have just had another chest. X ray- which unofficicially looks " normal", received another lot of antibiotics and have the cough from hell- I am really beginning to lose the will. I have googled lung cancer etc etc as I cannot really believe that this thing is still taking hold of me and I am so tired and useless. I am not depressed - yet- but from being extremely active, mother to two young children with a very busy job- I fell like a 90 year old 50 a day smoker !!! - incidentally haven't smoked for nearly 20 years!

    will this hell ever end?

    • cindy0619
      cindy0619 lyndsey87208

      Posted

      I am so sorry you are experiencing this painful affliction.  It will get better, but you probably will have a tendency towards it in the future.  Try to examine your diet, get away from processed foods and try to get in some fresh fruits and vegetables in smoothie form (more antioxidants) and lower the amount of sugar, even artificial sweeteners in your diet.  It's a type of inflammatory condition that will flare up with fatigue, improper diet, even too much activity.  There has to be a balance.  This may not be what you wanted to hear, but it's been my experience with it.  Feel better!
    • lyndsey87208
      lyndsey87208 cindy0619

      Posted

      Cindy- thanks for this. I hadn't even considered the diet element of things- definitely the stress and run down bit- bit diet! Will look into that- thanks!
  • shoshi27863
    shoshi27863 Guest

    Posted

    Ive had the same symptoms of pleurisy Since as long as I can remember, I had pleurisy when I was a baby and I guess it never really went away, It comes in these attacks and their usually after physical activity, I have it right now and it hurts really bad, I usually only get it for a couple hours, but ive gotten it for a week once, I went to a doctor and he cracked it and it felt better (for a little bit) until it came back, I plan on going to a specialist on the 1st. Im almost 15 btw.
  • AllanGr
    AllanGr Guest

    Posted

    I had fungal pluerisy - the house where we lived was damp with weird coloured fungi in hidden places.  It didn't affect my wife but she's English and I think growing up here she's developed some kind of immunity (probably similar to my 'immunity' to mosquito bites, whereas my wife's skin is badly affected).

    Initially at the house I had symptoms of weariness and breathing problems (previously a smoker), but it wasn't until we moved (to a dry, no fungus house) that I had a pluerisy attack:  agony in my lung area, suffocation to the point my wife called paramedics, and it was quite scary.  I was given strong penicillin and with that gradually recovered -stopping smoking in the process-meh, I'm an asthmatic too.

    Although in Australia, Perth, (mostly very dry) as a kid I used to get bronchitus and painful ear-aches every winter - it rained and rained so I guess I have a weakness in my lung area dampness-wise anyway.

    But now I'm recovering whereas I see many people here just aren't and that's awful.  My agony only lasted a week or so, and afterwards occasional panic attacks with symptoms (but no actual effects) of my worst night of pluerisy returning.  Personally if this was ongoing for me I'd check out Chinese remedies- I had a Chinese friend in Oz who was an acupuncturist/herbalist.  But the Chinese are rarer here.  IF~ you can find someone genuine give it a try.  There's also actual Chinese medicine advice pages on the net which I've used.

     

    • cindy0619
      cindy0619 AllanGr

      Posted

      I have been paying much closer attention to my diet/exercise/symptoms and there is definetly a connection.  Thanks for your advice and story.  It is a terrible fear to live with that such pain might come back.  From what I have read, the initial bout of it is usually the worse, afterwards just a lingering sort of threat.  Either way, it isn't any fun.
  • hurtingmommyof4
    hurtingmommyof4 Guest

    Posted

    I have been in pain since last year April 2013 which I think may be linked to giving birth to my 4th son in February. I had gestational diebetes while pregnant and had to diet and check my blood sugar regularly,but the strange thing is that with my 3rd son before that I also had gestational diebetes and never had the pain that I have now. I am 32 years old,It all started when I woke up one morning (was fine the night before) with excruciating chest pain! I went to the ER,I had no clue what was wrong with me,the dr did xrays,mri,and some other tests and said that I have pleurisy. He gave me pain pills and sent me home. My life has been hell since that dreadful day rolleyes I have not been able to pick up my son,or even play with my other children without this horrible pain. I have researched all that I could and still cannot find any answers. I am anemic and take 325 ferrous sulfate (iron) and IC vit d2 1.25MG (50,000) units) for low vitamin d because I dont even go outside anymore due to this pain. I went to a rheumatologist and was diagnosed with costochondritis,which I know can't be right because I also have swelling of my armpit & sore throat,like maybe my lymph nodes.I went to a pulmonary doctor,he checked the MRI that the hospital done on my lungs then ordered an echo of my heart,he said all seemed well. At that time I smoked a pack of ciggs a day but quit March of 2014 (this year) He also done blood work for lupus,it was negative. I demanded blood work for everything that they could think of and all I found was high inflammation levels,low iron,and low vit d. THATS IT! I am so frustrated,my symptoms are just getting worse,I have recently been through 2 fevers,everyday pain in my chest,arms,right shoulder blade (mostly) and the left,developed leg pain and heaviness,about  6 months into the pain and different (n-saids) I developed a rash on my hands (small bumps and redness that burns),& diarrhea. This year alone starting in January I have had 4 steroid injections in my neck because MRI showed bulging disc in my neck. So with all of the multiple problems that occured so quickly,I have no clue what this is or what is causing this pain. I also have stretch mark welts on my arms now near my swollen lymph nodes. I am at my witts end and my quality of life has really diminished. If someone knows what this could be,please give me and everyone here some answers. I feel bad for all of you,I pray everyday for god to take this pain from me and restore my health. I will pray for you all too.
  • janni79600
    janni79600 Guest

    Posted

    I am so sorry to hear of the terrible, miserable symptoms you describe. Surely, there is a Doctor out there who can figure it out! (One would think...) My Dr. didn't realize I had a broken rib for about 8 months and then figured out that that was causing all my pain. Yours does not sound like a broken rib, however. Maybe seeing an Internal Medicine specialist would help. Or a specialist in infections. I certainly hope you find the answer. Meantime, sending my best wishes for healing.
  • juliap2014
    juliap2014 Guest

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    Not sure if anyone is still following this thread, but I'll join in anyway. I was just diagnosed with pleurisy. The stabbing pain on my chest started about 2 weeks ago and lasted about 7 days, along with low-grade fever and chills, and fatigue. The pain was excruciating, although it's virtually gone now. But after the first week, when the pain had significantly subsided, I had severe shortness of breath after a 2-minute walk and went to the ER. I had a CT scan done that shows that I have partial lung collapse. I'm seeing my doctor again in a few days, but here is what I think happened based on what I've read about pleurisy: the excruciating pain caused me to have shallow breathing (because breathing deeply or even normally hurt like hell); the shallow breathing keeps your lungs from inflating as they should, so fluid builds up between the two layers of pleura; the accumulated fluid decreases or eliminates the pain because the layers are no longer rubbing against each other, but the accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion) can then cause lung collapse. Of course, I'll be confirming my "theory" with my doctor, but in case someone out there is experiencing or experienced pleuritc chest pain recently, please see your doctor right away, and start on over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. If your pain goes away, it does not necessarily mean you have recovered from it. It may mean the problem is progressing into something more concerning. Good luck to us all! 

  • cindy0619
    cindy0619 Guest

    Posted

    Hi there! I think your hypothesis is very sound. Evidently pleurisy can be caused by multiple factors and when you go to the emergency room they have to rule out all of the reasons. It is the worst pain I ever experienced but at the time my pulmonary doctor's office staff did not either believe I was in that much pain or thought I was just trying to get some pain medicine. This was over the phone, btw, but later in the week the doctor called me back and had me come in for a CT scan and Xray. I didn't have pleural effusion and the pain was not as severe so I was given breathing treatments and prednisone by mouth.

    Since then if I ever start coughing very hard I end up with soreness in the original site of the initial episode but nothing ever like the pain of that event. I personally think it reminded me of how rheumatoid arthritis behaves, which I have had when I was much younger. A joint will inflame severely and have much pain and swelling, and then after it has subsided, that joint has been damaged and is subject to future problems. Just a thought I have had time to consider.

    • juliap2014
      juliap2014 cindy0619

      Posted

      Hi Cindy! Thank you for your message. What do you mean by "breathing treatments"? Breathing exercises?

      Yes, it is an excruciating pain! I also had this experience of not being taken too seriously when I was seen at my doctor's office. In my first visit I saw a nurse, who was about to let me go with no exams, saying "it's probably muscular". I insisted on consulting with the doctor on call, and that's what got the ball rolling on the tests (blood test, chest x-ray, EKG). But I was only diagnosed with pleurisy after a CT scan ruled out pulmonary embolism, and an echocardiogram ruled out pericarditis, which causes the same kind of stabbing pain. 

      After reading about other people's experience with pleurisy (and how long it lasted for them), I'm feeling very fortunate. I am pretty much pain free at this point. Tonight will be my first night without Ibuprofen!

  • cindy0619
    cindy0619 Guest

    Posted

    It really makes me mad that these health care professionals are not doing what they should be doing when it comes to evaluating what the patient is complaining about.  The nurse said the same thing to me!  "It's probably muscular".  Well, that didn't make it hurt any less!  I have a chronic lung problem that just started about a year and a half ago which they have sort of diagnosed as chronic esosinophilic pneumonia and asthma.  So really, the reason I think I got the pleurisy was from so much coughing.  I just couldn't stop and it would rack my whole body.  But, they made me do breathing treatments with nebulizers and albuterol and tested my oxygen saturation and the one where you blow out as hard as you can.  And like I said, CT scan and Xray.  Mind you, I am a nurse too, but really, that doesn't make any difference when you are suffering and nobody is listening.  I quit going to their office, I kind of said "Screw it!", I know what to do if it happens again and then I got really depressed (pain will do that to you), but right now, as of today, I fell okay, not great, but at least I can walk around and talk and even laugh and function as an almost normal person.  I still cough a lot and have to use prednisone and also Advair twice a day.  I really hope you never get as bad as you were because I feel your pain. 
    • juliap2014
      juliap2014 cindy0619

      Posted

      I had a second chest CT-scan last week, and it confirmed that I do have a collapsed lung (partial). It also said that it may be chronic, so it may have preceded the pleurisy, which I think is odd because I didn't have shortness of breath until after the pleurisy episode. Anyway, I'm now waiting to hear from my doctor about what to do with regards to the collapsed lung. Does it go back to normal on its own? Can it lead to complications? This is not fun! But at least the awful stabbing pain is gone.  
  • bamagirl47
    bamagirl47 Guest

    Posted

    I am so glad to see that I am not alone.  I had suffered from what I thought was a bad "cold" for over 3 weeks...running temp everyday the last 10 days before I went to ER finally.  In the ER I was told I simply had pneumonia and was admitted to be on IV antibiotics.  However, after the pulmonary dr came in to visit me I was told that I had one of the worst cases of pneumonia he had seen in a while..also had 2 abscesses on my lung and severe pleurisy.  After being in the hospital 2 weeks I was finally discharged but told that I could expect the pleurisy pain to last anywhere from 6-8 more weeks!!  I honestly didn't believe it would last that long.

    It's been 3 weeks since I was discharged and the pain is still so intense that I can't describe it.  While in the hospital they had me on TWO percocet 7.5 mg every eight hours along with an extended release morphine every 12 hours...and of course I was on loads on antibiotics for the pneumonia (3 different ones by IV). After coming home from the hospital my pain meds were reduced in half and I am so much in pain that sometimes I can't even sleep at night.  I've tried the licoderm creme (which doesn't help at all) and warm baths, heating pad, pillow to rib cage, etc.  I go back to my pain management doctor tomorrow and am in hopes that he will be able to adjust my meds or do something...even change them if possible.  I can't function and have a child at home and can't even clean my house for the pain.  This has been the most awful experience of my life.

    It's my prayer that all of you are doing much better.  smile  

    • mitsam
      mitsam bamagirl47

      Posted

      What a relief to find others who are suffering from pleurisy.  My experience started back in January.  I had felt tired and had a low grade fever for a couple of weeks, but not really any other symptoms.  And then one night I started having stabbing pains in my lower ribs that would come and go.  The pain increased in intenisty until I could hardly stand it.  I looked up rib pain online and found one explanation that said it could be ideopathic (no real cause or cure) so I took some ibuprofen and tried to sleep.  I got extremely nauseous (the ibufprofen?) and eventually threw up, got a terrible headache, and still the pain got worse.  It hurt with every breath.  I tried to breathe deeply to relax, but it would hurt even worse soon after exhaling.  I got a heating pad which did help a little, but I still couldn't sleep.  I also was pushing on my chest trying to stop the pain. The pain spread to my back and shoulder and I was just in agony.  The closest thing to it is labor pain.  Intesnse!  Finally at 1 in the morning (after 4 hours) I looked up chest pain online instead of rib pain and then got worried.  I had my husband take me to the ER, and they got me right in.  They did all the tests--EKG, x-rays, CAT scan, blood tests, etc., and everything came up negative.  By then my chest pain was a constant severe aching, and I was very tense and anxious, and could not relax.  The Dr asked me to describe my pain, and I said a constant ache.  He pushed on my sternum and asked if it hurt, and I said yes, but I said it was probably bruised by now from all the pushing I had been doing there.  He mentioned pleurisy, but said he didn't think I had it since it wasn't hurting when I inhaled deeply. (By then I was almost hysterical with pain and could not remember or think well enough to remember that it had started that way.) They finally gave me some morphine, and I was in heaven!  It didn't stop the pain completely, but the relaxing and release of tension was wonderful!  Because by then I didn't have the classic symptoms, I guess, the dr. said I had chest pain not otherwise specified.  In other words, NOTHING.  He was going to prescribe me some percoset but I am weary of strong pain meds, and asked if I could have some muscle relaxers instead.  It felt so good to relax!  He gave me a perscription for valium and told me to take ibuprofen for the pain.  I took 4 ibuprofen at a time, and along with the valium felt that the pain was tolerable and mild.  I was able to sleep a lot also.  I looked up pleurisy online, and was sure that that was what I had.  I was mad that I hadn't been able to tell my Dr those first symptoms, but I had been delirious with pain, I guess.  I was very fatigued and felt quite sick after that.  After a couple of weeks, It turned into pneumonia, and I went back to my GP and got some antibiotics. Their best guess was that I had gotten pleurisy from a virus.  They did a blood test which only showed that I had had a virus sometime recently.  REALLY???  I recovered pretty quickly after that.  It seems that I was in bed for almost a month from the time I first got the pleurisy, and then it took me a couple of months after that to get my stamina back.  

      And then in June, I tripped and fell and landed hard on my chest, and the pleurisy came back, I assume from a bruised rib.  It wasn't as intense or long lasting as the first time, and I concentrated on relaxing and breathing deeply. I rested for a couple of days till the pain was gone, but since I didn't feel sick otherwise, I tended to overdo it and then the pain would come back.  After a couple of weeks of going back and forth I finally put myself to bed for a couple of days and thought it was gone.  I went on a short hike a few days later with my husband and tried to take it easy and rest a lot on the way, but that night the terrible stabbing pains came back.  I was so disheartened!  I felt fine the next day and didn't rest enough, and that night the pain was even worse.  So more rest, but never enough (I have five kids at home), and the pain would come and go.  I finally decided that I just need to go to bed for a week in order to get rid of this.  I search the internet almost daily to find answers to this frustrating condition, but there just isn't much out there!  

      This is what I've learned, though:  I believe that the shallow breathing I did in the beginning to help the pain eventually starved my body from oxygen, and made me anxious and increased the pain.  But taking deep breaths brought on the very sharp stabbing pains.  Once I was able to relax with the morphine/valium, much of that pain and the anxiety left.  Relaxing is key!  I have read many patient boards now, and am baffled as to why there are not more Drs that prescribe muscle relaxants to help.  The ibuprofen was then enough to control the pain.  LOTS of rest is also key.  Once you feel better, don't go back to your normal routine, because it will come back.  I kept resting for a few hours everyday even though I didn't feel sick.  After a few months I was able to exercise again, though I would tire more easily and more quickly.  I was almost feeling normal when I tripped and fell and it came back.   I am hoping that this is not chronic, and that eventually I will be back to my active self.  This is most frustrating, annoying medical issue I've ever come up against.  I am otherwise very healthy, but this pleurisy makes me feel like I'm 80.  (I'm 44).  Good luck to everyone, and remember--muscle relaxants!!!

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