Pleurisy

[CommanderShepard]

After a complete farce involving 111 being my GP's out of hours cover and sending out a paramedic I was diagnosed last night with pleurisy. My own GP had prescribed amoxycillin and told me to take Nurofen; phone OOH GP thought I had gallstones; in-person OOH GP said no gallstones because stomach soft so gave me naproxen to go with the antibiotics and told me to take cocodamol instead of paracetamol.

I had a decent night's sleep for first time since Wednesday but the pain is back having had some soup and it feels like an elephant is sitting on my back again. I can't take naproxen for another hour and cocodamol for another 3 and I'm in the bath in tears. I've only got enough naproxem ln for 24hrs and I don't think it will be enough.

I'm scared. Labour was easier than this. I'm pissed off with my GP for making me feel like a nuisance and just expecting me to suck it up. I am sick of having to explain the whole bloody lot to every person I deal with because no one seems to pass anything on and then has a go at me because they disagree with something someone else said

I'd do anything to get rid of this pain - the OOH GP said if I wasn't feeling better by the time the naproxen was finished I'd need to get my GP to refer for a chest x ray and I bet they will just turn round and say I haven't got pleurisy because everyone is disagreeing with everyone.

And to top it all I've just handed in my notice at work and HR will do their nut!

I hurt so much I want to and have been sick :(

I've had pleurisy and it feels like a knife is sticking into your lungs every breath. And I couldn't walk 10 feet without wanting to go back to sleep. Completely and utter shambles i was. However I don't remember back pain.

Feel for you OP- I was in A&E last night and diagnosed with the same. The pain is horrendous! I have to be honest and say I thought I was dying, never had so much as a chest infection before!

Have you tried a hot water bottle? I've been using one on my back as that's where it's most painful and it is easing things off a tad (along with maximum doses of painkillers!)

I would probably look at giving some sort of feedback to OOH about their service- they shouldn't really have said "it's gallstones" if they hadn't examined you.

A chest X-ray may well be a good idea to check there's no pneumonia. If you are still really suffering then I wouldn't hesitate to turn up at A&E, they can do a chest X-ray there and then and also issue more pain relief for you.

How many days of amoxicillin have you had? If you have been taking it more than 48 hours and seen no improvement/worsening of symptoms then it probably needs reviewed.

Get well soon!

Thanks. Pain relief has stopped working so DH is taking DD round to MIL for an impromptu sleepover and then we're going to A&E. Mum is a nurse and has given me a script!

I had pleurisy a few years ago as a complication of pneumonia. The pain masked the fact that I also had two broken ribs. Ouch. It was rotten but I have to say I don't remember it being as bad as what you're describing. Painkillers dealt with it. I think you're right to go back for another opinion.

DH had this much trouble when he had pleurisy, the hospital were a right pita about it :( it def was pleurisy though, if that makes you feel any better? How you doing now?

I do have pleurisy - but I do have gallstones too. Admitted last night and hoping to get an ultrasound today, but probably looking at surgery.

Goodness me OP. you must be in a world of pain :(

I had this years back and it was sore. Can u use aheat patch in between painkillers?

Oh you poor thing!

Best wishes for the operation

I've had pleurisy twice. The pain is exhausting and excruciating. Really hurts to breathe. I found that once the infection which caused mine had cleared up, then the lung pain gradually disappeared but it took a few weeks to be normal again. Hope you're feeling better soon.