Any advice most welcome. Breathless & unwell, flu at Xmas, 2 sinus infections and now anti-biotics for pleurisy

[dodadoda]

Hi

I've just name changed but am a regular lurker and occasional poster.

Sorry for the winge but I am becoming worried and frustrated at the impact this is having on me and my family. If anyone can give me any advice I'd appreciate it. Recently:

Sinus and chest infection - amoxycilin mid/late Nov

Flu - 22nd Dec to New Year, truly dreadful

Sinus Infection - amoxycilin early Jan

Sinus/Chest infection - Doxycyclin mid- Jan

I've had a upper tract infection / bronchitis for about 2 1/2 weeks and was given Erythromicin last Wednesday for chest infection. Shocking hot poker pains Sunday early morning led me to emergancy Dr. who confirmed pleurisy and gave me codeine and said chest was clear.

Pain much better today, not coughing anything up, temperature seem to have improved, except for a night fever, but I am breathless, exhausted and not always making much sense when I do speak, sinuses not too great.

Basically I've spent most of the last 5 weeks in bed, sweats nearly every night. I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old and a lovely DH who has his own business and as at the big 'crunch' point after many years of hard hard work, he is under tremendous strain and the stress levels are worrying, he is exhausted and needs help (worried about his MH too). Our family and friends are stepping up but I need to get out of bed and just get me / us ticking over.............

Nurse is doing bloods tomorrow( if I can get there) and I am trying to get another GP appt. I have a history of 'minor' ilnnes as adult including multiple chest/sinus/ ear infections, hospitilisation for tonsililitis, pleurisy and viral meningitis in the last 3 years since my DS was born - there is more but this post is too long as it is!

I did smoke on and off for 20 years but haven't had one since before Xmas and I am sure now will never again. I have bought supplements and will start them tomorrow once antibiotics finished and I'm trying to rest and eat well.

My lovely MIL is here helping today. Apologies for typos, it took quite a while to type this

[mumof3teens]

Sorry to hear you are still poorly. Sounds like you are really run down to be picking one infection up after another. Blood tests good idea, as Doc will know more re infection etc. A couple of years ago I got my first ever chest infection which lasted for months - 8 lots of ABs (including one lot for a month), 2 x CT scans, x rays, numerous blood tests etc. Really felt like I would never get better. Are you taking vitamins/ echinacea etc? Berocca (or boots equivalent) good. Go straight back to Drs if not better when ABs about to run out. Hope you feel better soon.

[Earthymama]

I had a year like this once and ended up with pneumonia. Hopefully you will soon start making a good recovery.

Try Co-enzyme Q10 it really helped me, and try to cut out dairy if you find it aggravates your sinuses.

I use a Neti-pot to clean out my sinuses and do a sinus massage.

I do hope you feel well soon, but don't beat yourself up, it won't help you to get well.

[mercibucket]

Hiya, sorry to hear you've been so unwell. Did you do that asthma test thing where you blow into a peak flow meter? Maybe some inhalers would be of help. I had to use blue and brown ones for a few months after a chest infection, and know others who had a few months of oral steroids to help. Also, don't take painkillers that suppress coughing, or you can get pneumonia. Think that is the codeine based ones - pharmacy will know. I only know this from bitter experience :(

[mercibucket]

Hiya, sorry to hear you've been so unwell. Did you do that asthma test thing where you blow into a peak flow meter? Maybe some inhalers would be of help. I had to use blue and brown ones for a few months after a chest infection, and know others who had a few months of oral steroids to help. Also, don't take painkillers that suppress coughing, or you can get pneumonia. Think that is the codeine based ones - pharmacy will know. I only know this from bitter experience :(

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

Have you had a chest x-ray? I wonder if there is now an underlying pneumonia going on?

[dodadoda]

Thanks to everyone for your replies and advice,

I've seen my GP he doesn't think X-ray indicated (did peak flow, blood gases etc.) but has given me an inhaler and prescribed rest, rest and more rest. I also had my bloods done and plan to see GP in fortnight.

I do feel a little better today and temperature gone but I'm breathless, exhausted and a bit sore still

So concentrated effort on supplements, diets and rest I guess...........

[mercibucket]

bet the inhaler will help esp if its the brown steroid one. you might need it for a few months tho