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

Oh this brings back memories. I've had pleurisy just the once but I'll never forget it. I first thought it was a pulled muscle, went to bed that night and woke up unable to catch my breath.. honestly thought I was having a heart attack.

I hope you're feeling better soon op

My DM had several bouts of pleurisy
I hope you are made as comfortable as possible very soon
Ask for pain relief if you haven't been given any( they don't routinely mention it much now I find)

It's usually bacterial pneumonia but can be a sign of a clot/ PE

Yes, I had it in the millennium of 2000, when there was an outbreak of flu. Stupidly, even though I was asthmatic, I didn't go the doctors, as back then they were making a huge deal about MRSA and antibiotic resistance, saying that most chest infections were viral.

So I had what started off as a persistent cough, that developed into coughing up thick green phlegm, then on the four week mark, sudden unbearable severe pain when breathing in. Had to go to A&E, where I was given Pethidine injections for 24 hours (couldn't have Morphine as asthmatic) and IV antibiotics. Pain went away within a day, and I spent a week in hospital by which time the infection cleared up, but I felt quite weak for a while. Also told that my sputum sample showed I had influenza B.

I've had pleurisy and pneumonia - it's shite OP but now that you're at hospital it will hopefully get better quickly with some strong painkillers and antibiotics.
Definitely lie on it- squish down on the painful side and try to swallow instead of cough. I don't know why this works but it does.

Get well soon 💐

I’ve had it- horrendous pain. I was given a couple of sorts of antibiotics to take at the same time as they weren’t sure which sort would work. Also lots of pain killers. GP decided not to send me to hospital as I had a young child and the stress and logistics would probably make me feel even worse. He gave me 48 hours and if no improvement it was hospital regardless. I was off work for almost 3 weeks. It was just rotten.

I had pleurisy, and was verging on pneumonia, many years ago - but my pain was nothing like you are experiencing OP. The doctor prescribed antibiotics and it soon cleared up. You were foolish to turn them down I think.

Poor you OP. Pleurisy is so painful and scary as you stop breathing in fully so feel a bit panicky. I did, anyway. Really hope it gets sorted soon for you

I had it in 2009. I still remember as it's seared on my memory. I caught a cold on a flight home from Venezuela and it took weeks, just getting worse and worse. My dh is a GP and eventually had a listen (sore patch was on the lower part of my left back) and he could hear the pleurisy crackles. Went to the GP for antibiotics but they didn't make much difference, it was likely viral.

All these years later if I get a cough I can feel a "pull" in my back, or if I take a deep breath of cold air. I've had babies and kidney stones - this was the third worst pain I've ever had, including a compound ankle fracture!!

I've had pleurisy. It's hideous. Couldn't sleep and sometimes the pain brought me to tears. GP sent me home with the suggestion of paracetamol as there was nothing they could do since it was triggered by a viral infection. I found the only way to get relief was - counterintuitively - to lie directly on the painful bit of my lung so it was squished. Apparently it's due to the lining of your lungs being inflamed and somehow causing friction. Compressing the area helps reduce the movement and as a result it's less painful. I spent several nights propped up on the sofa surrounded by strategically placed pillows just to get some relief, but it did help

Hope they're able to help OP. And at least you've been triaged relatively quickly.

@Ladyj84 OP explained they mess with her digestive system, it's not unreasonable to see if she'd recover without

@worriedandfedup24 I've had pleurisy, it's horrible and very painful. ABs did shift it tho gave me an upset tummy.

And I caught every cough going all winter, afterwards

You're probably going to have to just take the ABs and deal with the side effects unfortunately, it's a nasty thing to have and you need rid

I'm glad you're being seen relatively quickly. Try and relax while you're waiting.

But daft not to do antibiotics did you want to end up with pneumonia

I know some people with relatively similar symptoms in my area but they have been diagnosed with whooping cough.

I’ve had it a few times. It’s so, so hideously painful. Like being stabbed in the chest with a long rod. Feel for you Op. mine was treated with antibiotics which always clears it up pretty sharpish.

I had pneumonia and pleurisy at Christmas a few years ago, it's complete agony. Had a temperature of 39.5 and ended up staying in hospital for a week on IV antibiotics etc. Took months to get over it, I absolutely should have gone to hospital much earlier. Really hope you're ok OP

My sister had it once. It was clearly flippin' horrible.
Hope you are on the mend soon.

My friend had it. It’s usually due to an infection but not always. In her case it was due to blood clots so she’s on long term medication for that now.

My mum has suffered repeated bouts of pleurisy. The dr usually gives her antibiotics & steroids (though she has asthma too, so it may not be the same treatment for you).
Hopefully you'll be sorted and home soon.

I've had pleurisy. I thought it was the sort of thing that had died out with the victorians until I got it. Hope you get some relief soon

It's horrible, and even worse is having to do deep breathing every so often to prevent pneumonia developing. Get well soon