Recovering from pneumonia timeline?

[riseshine]

I'm in hospital day 3 of hospital with pneumonia in both lungs and also had sepsis.

I've responded very well to treatment my heart rate, pulse and blood pressure are all good I'm just still on oxygen.

I feel so tired and Ill still and wondering when I can expect things to improve

Thanks anyone that can help x

[hanban89]

I started to feel better after I had taken 2 weeks of 1000mg amoxicillin plus another antibiotic twice daily. But felt run down for months. The pain from the pleurisy was the worst and I'm sorry to say that 18 months later I still get pain, more a niggle from time to time.
I replied to your original thread. So glad you got help.

[Tootyfilou]

I had severe pneumonia 8 years ago, really ill, massive pleural effusion that I had to have drained, 2 weeks in hospital and 3 months off work ... consultant would not let me return before then. I can honestly say it took about 6 months before I felt 100%. I still get pleuritic pain and my lung function has been affected. Be gentle with yourself, pneumonia is a killer.
Hope you are out of hospital soon.

[Witchend]

DD1 had severe pneumonia when she was 8yo. I'd say she took 6 months before she stopped looking and feeling ill, about 18 months before her weight stopped being monitored (she lost severe amounts) and 8 years later she still struggles with feeling cold. Whether this was something that changed at the time, or whether she would have anyway, I'm not sure though.

[RoseDore]

I had severe pneumonia in both sides of my lungs. I was in hospital for two weeks and it took more than six months to get back to normal. Apparently, there is a type that affects people in their 30s which is particularly bad. I was that age when I had it. You will feel better but the tiredness does last for a long time.

[riseshine]

Thanks all - I'm still in hospital and struggling to get better :(

I can't seem to get off oxygen and now have developed lots of pains in my back making it really hard to breathe

[PancakesAndMapleSyrup]

I had it about 3 months ago, again sepsis had begun to set in and had pleurisy all community acquired. Im all clear now, but have just picked up a chest infection and its agony!. Apparently you end up picking up lots of bugs afterwards. I cant say i feel normal yet (before said chest infection) it bloody hurts but consultant said at least 6 months before i will feel back to normal. Hope you get off the oxygen soon. Its really not a nice illness.

[riseshine]

How long were you in hospital for pancakes ? X

[riseshine]

Well - day 6 has bought pleurisy into the mix!

[RoseDore]

I was going to say that pain sounds like pleurisy. I had it, it's very painful but I think it wore off after a couple of weeks.

[Weneverworked]

I was nowhere near as poorly as you, I had consolidation and acetaclis (sp?) of one lobe, no hospital admission. Five courses of different antibiotics, coughed and ill and exhausted for five weeks, tired and under par for a few months, still breathless on exertion for six months. I am still rubbish at walking uphill, doc says it may never improve due to lung scarring.

[Weneverworked]

This was two years ago. Never felt as ill in my life.

[PancakesAndMapleSyrup]

I was in for 6 days OP. Lots of nebulizers (sp?) And went through a month of antibiotics and thrush! I had three weeks of antibiotics then off for a week and then the sweats came back so back on them for a week. How are you?

[riseshine]

My recovery was going well but then I've gone a bit backwards last couple of days. I have pleurisy in right lung and it's so painful.
Doctors are concerned that I either have a clot or partial collapse as I'm still needing a lot of oxygen.

Having a CT scan today to see what is going on in there

[riseshine]

Day 13 and I'm starting to feel a lot better now - still completely wiped out and not quite off oxygen, getting there tho !

[SavageBeauty73]

Poor you. Hope you continue to feel better.

[ElornaElephant]

Poor you, really nasty and long recovery for you . I had what they term "walking pneumonia" last year and that was horrendous enough, took months to feel 100%.

[PancakesAndMapleSyrup]

If when you do start to feel significantly better please dont push yourself as you just wont manage. You are going to have to take things easy for a long while! Are you out of hosp yet op?

[Wildernesstips]

I had severe pneumonia and sepsis and was in and out of hospital for three months. After the sepsis I was advised it would take 6-18 months to properly recover. I was lucky in that I felt better and returned to work in the fourth month but I still wasn't what I would class as back to normal.

It is frustrating but you have to be kind to yourself and just take small steps in your recovery. I remember feeling I had really accomplished something when I could walk round the block!

Hope you start feeling better soon.

[riseshine]

I am out of hospital - was in 16 days - feeling emotional today, not sure why

I'm still in a lot of pain with pleurisy especially left lung and get very breathless if I try to do much more than lie on sofa

I feel like now I'm home I'm expected to be "better" and I'm finding that difficult :(

[thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter]

Dear God no you need absolute rest!

DS1 had it, he kept getting admitted over and over, despite lots of investigations all the Drs could come up with was that the medication (steriods/antibiotics) wasn't a high enough dose to fully 'knock it' iykwim? It took about 6 months before he started to be himself again.

DH works with someone who had it as an adult, fit as can be grown man (has to be for his job), took him months to recover as well.

Seriously, you'll set yourself further back trying to rush a recovery.

[maggiso]

Glad to hear you have got home. Now you need to let your body start slowly to recover. Think in terms of weeks (months) not days! It's a bit scary being home after being monitored so closely in hospital. having been so very ill, you really must really rest. Hope you start to feel stronger soon.

[UnsuccessfullyAdulting]

Hi OP. I had pneumonia last Jan. Hospitalised for 3 days (only - your's sounds so dreadful) and wasn't back to full whack for about 5-6 weeks. I very stupidly only took 3 days off work, which didn't help. Recovery is hard but you will get there and feel a million dollars once you're better. I remember my first night out post illness - 1 glass of wine - but I felt so good being out and about, I'll never forget it! Good luck, take it easy and let's wave buh-bye to 2016!

[Wildernesstips]

Glad you are now home. Remember to keep doing your deep breathing physio exercises (the physio scared me by telling me I would lose capacity in my lungs if I didn't).

And just take baby steps in your recovery, you may find you have good days and bad but don't push it.

[riseshine]

I'm struggling to take deep breaths due to the pleurisy - really so very painful.

Also is it usual to be very breathless walking more than a few steps / stairs ? X

[Wildernesstips]

I can't remember. I do remember having places to sit all around the house, for example from the lounge to the toilet and from the lounge to the kitchen so I could rest, so probably it is normal.