Underlying causes of recurrent pneumonia?

[BipBippadotta]

I've got pneumonia for the 4th time in 10 months and this doesn't seem right to me. I'm 41 and have always been in good health - no asthma or allergies. Family history of autoimmune disease (lupus and sarcoidosis), but GP ran blood tests a few months ago and he said it all looked fine except that my white cell count was raised both times (though they didn't think to let me know at the time)

The GP I saw this week (have never seen the same one twice) has referred me for a chest x ray tomorrow and won't get the results for 2 weeks. I've been on clarithromycin for 3 days and feel no better. I struggle to climb the stairs. I can't sleep because I cough so much and have a panicky suffocating feeling.

I have an 18 month old and I can't lift him. I don't know what to do.

Can anyone think what I might ask the GP to look for / test for when I next go in? They are very into their watchful waiting but something seems really wrong to me.

Update: X ray showed up bronchiectasis in my left lung, and I've got a referral to respiratory medicine. Anyone have any ideas about managing this condition in the long term?

Oh no I'm sorry - I'm not sure what that is. Perhaps make a new thread? I'm glad you know the cause but I also hope you are able to get well soon

My son who’s severely disabled had viral Pnuemonia 4 months ago and since then it’s been one more infection after another and he’s also now asthmatic.

He’s also had a severe allergy to the environment for 3 months. It’s been very humid and dusty where we live.

I would probably wait until you've seen the respiratory physician to confirm the diagnosis (usually made by CT) before taking the advice of Mumsnetters. The CXR changes could be a cause or a consequence of your recurrent chest infections & your GP & the respiratory physician are in the best position to work out what's going on and what the best management is. Only thing I think everyone would agree on at this point is that if you smoke you should probably stop. Hope you get the answers you need soon.

Thanks, Walkingthrough - you're right, I should step away from the internet now I've got a referral. Good to know the diagnosis might not be confirmed yet either - I didn't realise that. Not a smoker so will just sit on my hands and keep taking the abx.

I’m sorry the chest x-ray results seem so worrying. I’d like to echo that you should wait for the ct scan - I didn’t think the x Ray could be used to diagnose. Best of luck when you do have more tests done.