Could pnuemonia have left me with lasting problems?

[Hulababy]

I had pneumonia in January and was very poorly for a few weeks. I was hospitalised for 4 days and given 4 types of antibiotics over 4 or 5 weeks and ended up unable to work for 7 weeks.

I had follow up appointments a month or so later and they said all was fine.

Howeverm this autumn and winter when it has been very cold has left me struggling. I am not ill. Have had no bugs or colds as such.

But whenever I go in the cold I foud myself coughing hard, find my chest feels tight (this is even wore at night time for some reason) and although not struggling to breathe it feels less comfortable than it should. I feel tired and weary easily too. It is hard to explain my it kind of feels likle a ball of cold forms at the bottom of my throat - I can feel it, if that makes sense.

In the past I have also suffered from a fast heart rate and palpatations but not in recent years particulalry. But ths winter the fast heart rate is alwso accompanying the above symptoms.

Could January's pnuemonia have left me some problems on my lungs or respitatory system?

I am trying to get a GP's appointment but notbeen able to get through this morning and it is now lunch time so closed again.

[EldritchCleavage]

Hulababy I had pneumonia some years ago and found it took 18 months before I felt really recovered. I had a real dip during that time (real fatigue and a general sense of weakness) that had me fearing some post-viral syndrome. That was never really pinned down even with blood tests but it did pass. The only thing that helped was rest-I had to have a nap as soon as I got in from work for a while.

So you may just need time to get over it but it does sound as though you should be asking your GP for blood tests/X-ray as a precaution.

[Hulababy]

Thanks :)

I don't feel ill, just more weary than normal. But def not ill. It is the chest tightening and breathing thing that is the pain - it is everytime I take a step outdoors in the cold.

[magso]

I would agree - it takes a very long time to fully recover from a severe dose of pneumonia. It sounds like you should go and see your GP. I was a mild asthmatic until I had pneumonia (2 weeks in hospital)- but after my chest seemed to be exstroadinarily sensitive and my asthma treatment needed stepping up to a much higher level and I still have PVFS. However 20 months later I am beginning to see some return to my former self!!
So see your gp (you may need treatment for the over sensitivity such as an inhalor to use when you get that tight sensation, and as Eldritch says precautionary tests. Wearing a scarf or similar loosly across your mouth/nose may help to reduce the chill in the air you breath. Also not rushing as soon as you get out in the cold - start off slow and let your body adapt.

[Hulababy]

Cheers. I do wear a big coat (thanks to the berghaus testing :) ) and hat and scraf too to try and prvent the cold getting in esp on playground duty.

Today I haven't been out but have answered door a couple of times and even that is enough to make my chest start.

Still trying to get through to GPs.

[Hulababy]

No GP appointments now until well after Christmas. Would prefer to see my own GP as he has my notes, etc. but not looking likely.

Ideally I'd like to see someone before Christmas and before I go away, so may try and get to teh GP drop in pace in town.

[Hulababy]

Been to the drop in GPs and now have an inhaler. My peak flow was rubbish after having been in the cold for a short while beforehand.

[EldritchCleavage]

Oh good stuff, glad to hear you got to a doctor.

[magso]

Well done! Hope it helps. It doesn't mean you will always need an inhalor so don't feel too upset. My first winter after pneumonia was difficult (Ok I know i was already asthmatic - so airways with a natural tendancy to over react)but this year is much better.

[alypaly]

had pneumonia 3 times about 10 years ago(twice within 4 months). It takes a long time to recover as eldritch says. It has left me with a tighter chest and i am not asthmatic. But if i get a cold i now get viral asthma or if i am shouting(which is not too often now as kids are older) i get the same wheezey feeling and tight chest.

[EldritchCleavage]

Hulababy may I suggest exercise for when you are feeling better and/or the weather is warmer? The more you work your lungs (gently and gradually of course) the more function you will recover.

[expatinscotland]

It can do.

I have a mate who had it when he was in his early 30s and, like many young men, put off seeing a doc until his girlfriend took him to A&E, upon which he was hospitalised immediately and put on a drip for days.

He wound up with permanent scarring in his lungs.

He's very fit, a climber and hillwalker.

It's no longer affecting his exercise but if he gets a cold, he gets problems with his lungs.

[Hulababy]

Thanks all.

The inhaler is helping. Have to admit that warm weather in Malta over new Year worked wonders as well.

The shouting bit made me smile. I work as a Y1 TA these days so raising my voice (simply to get over the noise of 30 five and six year olds!) is a common occurence, so could be part of the problem here too.

I need to diet and start some exercise oo I have to admit, so will add them to my list of To Dos, to start sooner rather than later!

[CarGirl]

Hulababy my dh had pneumonia in Feb/March and he got the high temp virus/flu bug that's done the rounds that leaves you with "The cough" he was the same just so tired and off his food, took him much longer to get over it compared to everyone else.