Flu, chest infections, pain and immunosuppressed

[BiscuitCrumbs44]

Hi All!

So, four weeks again I was struck down by the dreaded Aussie flu. I've had 'regular' flu before, but this floored me! It was horrific!

A week into it I saw a GP as the cough I had was awful and I was producing blood. She heard some right-sided crackling and gave me a course of antibiotics. The cough caused awful pain in my right ribs (muscular not boney).

At this stage I'll say I have infliximab infusions for Crohn's disease, so am immunosuppressed.

I took the week long course which I finished 10 days ago, I've nit felt quite right yet and the last three days have been almost unable to move, the pain in my ribs (both sides but worst on right) is horrific. It hurts to walk, stand up, sit down, lay down - my OH had to physically get me out of bed this morning. I have a dry cough (which hurts of course!) and cannot breathe deeply as a result of the pain.

I'm seeing the GP tomorrow after work, but my question is - should I be worried? I'm more prone to things like pneumonia as a result of my medication, and am not sure if I should contact my IBD consultant..

Or shall I wait and see what the GP says?

Bloody flu!!

I think the only thing I’d contact the IBD team about is if your next infusion is soon and you’re likely still to be ill by then (i.e. in the next week). Otherwise truck on, it will just take you longer to get over it.
(Ex-Infliximab, current Humira for Crohns, had a croaky throat since 20 Dec and a viral infection 10 days ago, still not right.)

I'd defo check with the GP again.

Do you think you could of developed pleurisy? I'm just guessing. I had it with pain round my ribs and every time I breathed in, it really wasn't nice.

Or maybe your muscles are pulled from the coughing.

I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you both - I am seeing my GP again tonight, as my next infusion is Thursday.. Fingers crossed!

On a tangent.. @gobbin how do you find the Humira?

It could very well be muscular, or you might even have cracked ribs with the coughing. It's good that you're seeing your GP though, just in case you're still having lung problems.

Biscuit I did well on Infliximab which closed a fistula but I was so run down and I’ll I still ended up needing an emergency ileostomy.

I was changed to Humira after reversal surgery and have never looked back. Humira has given me my life back.