Chest infection and pleurisy

[CustardQueen]

I had a severe chest infection throughout January which needed 4 courses of antibiotics to shift, this led to pleurisy which has been very painful. It is nearly 8 weeks since it all started and it still feels very tight on either side of my lungs, like I can't take a full deep breath and I still have a dry cough, especially in the evening when my airways feel very irritated. I had an x-ray which was clear, I just wondered if anyone else has had a bad chest infection that took so long to recover from? It just feels like it's been going on forever.

It definitely gets you down when things drag on.. I might mention an inhaler when I see the doctor tomorrow, thanks. Hope you feel better soon too.

Pleurisy can be hard to shift . I get it a few times a year due to Lupus, so no infection just inflamation.
Take antiinflammatories regularly and see if it helps, your dr might be able to give you stronger ones for a while.

Like you, I'm on 4th lot of antibiotics, had pneumonia years ago and always get problems on that lung.

Not felt really well for months, feels like permanently at drs.

I was told rest, eat well. Difficult if you're working- I don't want any more time off.

Hope we all feel better soon.

Yes, I've had pleurisy and had another bout november through to jan this year.

They wouldn't give me antibiotics, they try and get you to shift it yourself these days apparently.

I just took painkillers, drank lots of honey and hot lemon, ate loads of garlic and slept as much as I could.

I was going to say it sounds like the muscles may have tightened a bit. I had so many infections last year on top of other things that muscles shrank all over. I think I gave myself chron- whatever it is trying to stretch them - very painful- so it's may take some time. I wonder if some physio advice would help?

It's just felt like my airways have returned to normal a year after a bad infection.

about it

It does really drag you down. Week after week of feeling tired , breathless and coughing.

For me it's been a really bad winter.

Thanks for replying everyone.

Cocolepew - I did have a course of Naproxen but now just on ibuprofen and paracetamol. Sometimes the pleurisy just flares up and is so painful. I thought it was on its way out, but apparently not!

Rightsaidthread - the doctor said the pleurisy is still there but he thinks my lungs are sticking together and I now need to work really hard to get them unstuck - he suggested taking some nurofen and going swimming to try and force air into all of the lung - Fabulous and Clarella, this is what you both seemed to be saying. He didn't refer me to chest physio, I might see how the swimming goes for a couple of weeks and see if the tightness continues.

This whole thing started at the beginning of January and now its nearly March..Ive never been ill for so long! Hope you feel better soon Hedgehog...agree on the hot honey and lemon.

Anyway, thanks for replying everyone, I really appreciate it. Roll on the spring!

I was going to say swimming is really the best at opening chest - which is why it's good got asthmatics. If you can find one with a sauna attached it makes it all a lot easier!!

Swimming it is then! I'm trying to persuade my husband that a few days at a spa would be beneficial, He's not going for it though..looks like the local pool will have to do!