Chest infection/medication side effects - feeling utterly miserable

[Serenity05]

I just need to vent...

I've got a chest infection which is causing horrendous wheezing, breathlessness and chest pain. I went to my GP yesterday and was given Amoxicillin and a short course of steroids (Prednisolone). The Prednisolone eased the wheezing pretty quickly but it's either worn off now or lying down for hours has made it worse again cos I'm back to not being able to breathe properly. It's also caused insomnia. I've had three hours' sleep. I've given up and come downstairs so my DH can at least get some rest without me tossing and turning and wheezing.

One of the drugs is also causing horrendous muscle pain - my limbs and lower back are aching so much I couldn't sleep if I wanted to. I've taken some ibuprofen but it doesn't seem to have done much.

I'm also petrified about the day ahead. I don't work on Fridays so DS (20 months) doesn't go to nursery, so I have him all day. DH HAS to go into work for at least a few hours today, although he will hopefully be able to work from home for a while. My current plan is to power through with coffee, take DS to playgroup this morning, knacker him out and hope he goes down for a long nap. And then stick the Wiggles on this afternoon.

I've had chest infections before, obviously, but I don't remember ever feeling this bad. I want to sleep but I'm in too much discomfort. I don't know what to do with myself.

Okay, I've vented.

I can feel worse after lying down, so personally I'd get up, make a warm drink and watch TV for an hour or so, rather than fighting sleep. If you feel a lot worse and the pred isn't making a difference today though I'd be tempted to go back to your GP. It's pretty good stuff and typically I'd expect to see small but steady improvement once you start on it, but obviously the antibiotics need to to work too. Don't mess about though, if you feel worse then there's a risk you develop pneumonia. I'd suggest DH only goes to work for the absolute minimum time today. It's rubbish, I suffer with chest infections a lot and find it harder to cope now I have a toddler and baby as you tend to try and keep going. My last lasted 6 weeks, with two lots of antibiotics and steroids and the infection causing pleurisy, I swear because I didn't take time to rest and tried to keep going.

Sorry you're feeling so terrible. It's good the steroids helped yesterday. Was that your first dose? If so, taking this morning's should add to that. They are renowned for causing sleep issues though. I would take regular painkillers for a couple of days too to ease the aches and pains as well. Definitely see someone today if things are worse or you're concerned, with it being the weekend after today. If your toddler needs to spend the day largely in front of the TV, that's ok. You need to rest as much as possible.

Sorry (why isn't there an edit post option?!), warm drinks are definitely a good idea as Plug suggested. In fact make sure you drink loads of fluids - keeps things loose inside and you hydrated.