Anyone had pleurisy? On way to a&e, so fed up

I would be calling 111 to ask their advice or going back to A&E, it's not worth leaving it when you're in so much pain already.

You poor, poor thing what a horrible time you're having

@worriedandfedup24

Fluids are - of course - the key bit.

Mentioned the supplements as you’d said you were having gastro side effects from the abx & often people pop up to suggest probiotics (understandable) but as they’ve now identified what’s likely to actually help (I won’t go into why) I thought I’d try to refine the info.

I was a baby when I had pneumonia + pleurisy so can’t remember it; but do remember the catchy-breath sensation mentioned by PPs as young toddler. Apparently not everyone is treated to that sequela, so hopefully you’ll just get better & be better.

Glad you went to A & E @worriedandfedup24 If things don't start to improve, please get back to your GP or go to A & E again. I had Pleurisy, caused by Pneumonia which came on very quickly. Woke up with my arm feeling a bit sore and thought I'd slept on it badly. Got worse and worse all day and spread across my back and up into my jaw - and by 10pm at night I got my husband to take me to A & E.

They (and I ) initially thought I was having a heart attack, but I wasn't. I was in hospital for a week ( including 4 days in the HDU) with 2 lots of IV Antibiotics and IV fluids plus other things for the AF which my heart had developed because of the pneumonia ( which was in both my lungs).

The pain can be horrendous, but it should settle quickly now you are being treated. If not, as I say, please get further medical help. Even after I got home I needed another 2 rounds of antibiotics to fully clear the infection and it was several months before I felt 100% again

Sorry, OP, it's a brutal business. I had a horrendous chest infection in October - had two rounds of antibiotics plus steroids (asthmatic) and ended up with stabbing pains in my left hand ribs from coughing bad enough that I was given codeine to manage it. Ended up having an asthma attack and being sent to the hospital by the GP because my low oxygen levels plus pain in one side set off triggers on their system for a pulmonary embolism (although she said this was unlikely), so probably good move getting seen at A&E. Took a steroid shot plus another round of antibiotics to shift the worst of it but never 100% stopped coughing and have come down with another chest issue now. It seems to never end!

Thank you. She has unfortunately passed away recently. I'm very glad you were able to receive treatment at hospital and it was a medical problem they were able to help you with. Please don't feel like you wasted anyone's time there. You used the A&E service entirely appropriately.

Oh do shut the fuck up! My mother went to A&E after the exact same situation as the OP, several courses of antibiotics from a GP that did nothing. She ended up with a chest drain as it turned out to be stage 4 lung cancer with a massive pleural effusion. The GP wasn't able to diagnose that and some measly antibiotics wouldn't have helped a jot. ANYONE suffering chest pains should attend a&e immediately!

I was diagnosed by GP. off work three weeks. It’s very miserable.

Doesn't matter if you don't eat, keep drinking tho

(Water not gin!)

OP you have my sympathy and a big virtual hug. I’ve been ill for 3 weeks with the most awful cough and chest infection, had a course of amoxicillin antibiotics firstly that did nothing. Then a weeks course of doxycycline antibiotics which helped the cough a little but then I started with the rib pain. I have cried in pain over the weekend, it’s stabbing under my breast and it’s impossible to sleep or lie down. I’m so so fed up and on my third week off work sick. Went back to the GP for the third time this morning and I have Pleurisy so have been given a more antibiotics - Clarithromycin plus Naproxen for the pain and Omeprazole to stop the upset stomach from the antibiotics and painkillers. Can you call your GP and ask for something to protect your stomach? Also ask for different painkillers if the Cocodamol aren’t helping.

I’m praying we both feel better soon x

Make sure you eat when you are taking a dose of the doxycycline. It's very irritating to the stomach and likely to be better tolerated if you can eat before/whilst taking it.

I've only read the OP comments.

Although I wish you a speedy recovery, I suggest next time you just graciously accept the prescription. That way if you need to fill it, even if just a few days later, you have it. If you don't need the prescription then you just shred the piece of paper.

It would have saved both you and the NHS precious time (and in your case discomfort, A&E deps have the worst chairs).

Not a great start to the week for you, poor thing. What painkillers do you normally take for your endo, is it worth trying to get stronger analgesia from your gp, can you tolerate non steroidal and oramorph with an anti sickness too.

Ah all this is so difficult when you have a toddler to deal with, you have my sympathies. Don't feel guilty about sticking YouTube kids on and getting as much rest as you can

There’s lots of too & fro on the utility of taking probiotics while on antibiotics, but the combination of the yeast Sacharomyces boulardii & the bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus has been found to offer protection against the effects of [some] antibiotics. Probiotic foods are better than supplements, but chances of you being up to whipping up a quick batch of kimchi aren’t exactly high.

I hope you feel better soon OP.

Hopefully, the AB's will kick in soon. pleural pain is horrible. I 'm wondering whether you would be better with something like diclofenac for the pain as it's also anti-inflammatory so it might ease the pleural pain caused by the inflammation. But you would need a GP prescription for that.
Are you ok with Ibuprofen as that's also a Nsaid, though not as potent as diclofenac?