pneumonia - help!

[allhallows]

I've been really ill for a week & saw gp on Saturday who diagnosed severe bronchitis, laryngitis, sinusitis and pneumonia patch on left lung. Argh! I'm exhausted, out of breath, off my head, can't cope! How long til I can hope to be back in full (or even partial) mummy mode? (Dh & my mum doing what they can (bless 'em!) but can see they're near breaking point.

Poor you. I had pneumonia 2yrs ago when I was 5mnths pregnant with 2nd child (ds was just 18mnths at the time and I worked part time so v. knackered). I was admitted 2 hosp for 1 night and put on drip and had oxygen at one point but they were being cautious because I was pregnant. I had antibiotics for 7 days and the chest pain (caused by the pneumonia) cleared up within a few days. But I was off work 6 weeks with all the symptoms you describe and repeated chest infections, the consultant said this was normal (a post viral problem) and also said that your immune system must be run down to contract pneumonia in the first place. I think it was a good 2 months before I felt well again but some of that was probably down to pregnancy. Take care of yourself. Lots of rest (afternoon naps), drink lots, eat what you feel like and avoid people with colds (I know, impossible). Don't worry you will recover. J

Thanks for that, Jackie. I have hardly moved in a week & seem already to have done severe damage to my waistline. I haven't much appetite so it must be all the lying around that's making me fat! Nice to have some peace & quiet, though.

Take care, I had pneumonia last year, only anitbiotics and a really good rest cured it. It might feel that you are lying down to it, but if you start to do the 'I-can-cope-really-well' bit too soon, it will land you back at square one, honest. Hope you feel better soon.

Hi, you poor thing!

I had pneumonia too, last year. I was one of the unlucky only 6% who have to be in hospital. Just take it easy, delegate everything and invest all your energy in allowing your body to heal. I won't tell you the details of my illness because it was a lot worse than normal...

If you feel that you are getting worse, even if the symptoms are not particularly in your chest (like if you feel nauseous, or dizzy, or extremely tired all of a sudden) do please go back to your GP or if you are not well enough to do that, go to A&E.

Watch loads of daytime telly! It was Friends and Will and Grace that got me through!!!