Help me

[anonymousxo]

So I was diagnosed with a viral infection 4 weeks ago and was bed bound for about two weeks and went to the doctor about 3/4 times during that time saying I'm not getting better and they kept saying it's a virus, anyway I call again and they sent me to a&e because I developed sharp stabbing pains in my chest and upper back, a&e does bloods and vitals which are normal and chest x ray which showed a chest infection (I didn't have any typical symptoms of a chest infection at this point just really bad pain) they sent me away with anti biotics which are due to finish tomorrow and I ended up in a&e again two days ago because I wasn't improving and got worse with debilitating pain that made me cry it hurts that bad, I was admitted to the ward because on arrival I had low oxygen which went up as quick as it went down so no concerns there, they hooked me up to a heart monitor and checked my bloods and vitals, all normal but refused to do another x ray as they said my symptoms resemble costochondritis.
Now I know this isn't costochondritis because I have done my research and from what I've read, the pain is not always there. I've also read ibuprofen is usually enough, no painkillers have helped with this pain it's debilitating!
They gave me naproxen which hasn't helped either and I'm at wits end with what to do, I've called so many times and nothing has been done and the pain is truly a 10/10 it is SO PAINFUL please has anyone ever experienced this? What should I do?
The pain is constantly there in my upper back and spine, I keep getting sharp stabbing pains in my chest every now and again during the day and I don't know what's causing it :(

@Blueberry77

Black shadowing on chest X-ray indicates pneumothorax. White shadowing indicated infection. I doubt it was infection if you did not have a fever and your blood markers were normal. You now need a CT scan.

I initially had a fever before all my flu symptoms stopped, then the stabbing pains and upper back pains started, surely the doctor would know the difference between that and a chest infection on x ray? As soon as he opened it he said yep chest infection see look, you are ok just take the anti biotics you'll be fine and sent me on my way

Why are you so adamant it can't be costochondritis? It sounds exactly like it.

@Cocolapew

Why are you so adamant it can't be costochondritis? It sounds exactly like it.

I'm not necessarily adamant there's always a possibility, but because naproxen isn't touching the pain and also the fact i initially went to the hospital with these pains and was diagnosed with a chest infection on x ray, just seems a bit fishy to me that's all, the pain is so bad

Have you taken your respiratory rate? I hope you feel better soon.

I take naproxen twice a day its not strong enough for severe pain, its an anti inflammatory as pp mentioned. You need to ask your gp for some stronger, and take it along with the naproxen.
If your pain is really at 10 you should be phoning an ambulance, my GP has phoned ambulances for me when my pain level was around 6 because you need to rule out a PE with chest pain.

@Hairyfairy01

Have you taken your respiratory rate? I hope you feel better soon.

Yes, my breathing is ok it's within normal range

@Cocolapew

I take naproxen twice a day its not strong enough for severe pain, its an anti inflammatory as pp mentioned. You need to ask your gp for some stronger, and take it along with the naproxen. If your pain is really at 10 you should be phoning an ambulance, my GP has phoned ambulances for me when my pain level was around 6 because you need to rule out a PE with chest pain.

Oh ok, they told me to take one a day as one will sort the pain out apparently and two wasn't needed. I've only been taking one because of that so maybe I need to take two :/ As I responded previously to another comment, my pain felt like a 10/10 because it hurt so bad but now the pain has subsided I would say it was more of a 8. When I get these attacks of severe pain it truly hurts a lot and I think that's what I was trying to get across that it is so painful, is it worth me booking in with gp then? Honestly I think I'm just a bit worried that my chest infection hasn't cleared up because I was told it was a chest infection last week and the pain is the worst pain I've ever had

You definitely need to speak to the Dr, your pain isn't being managed.
You should be seen again to get re examined, especially if they said it was a chest infection and you aren't getting any better after a week.

@Cocolapew

You definitely need to speak to the Dr, your pain isn't being managed. You should be seen again to get re examined, especially if they said it was a chest infection and you aren't getting any better after a week.

I never had any of the typical chest infection symptoms, clear chest all the way through even before my chest pain started, I was very wheezy but doctor couldn't hear it through listening so was told virus but then x ray showed infection so the whole thing is very confusing but I definitely will call doctor and get this sorted

Good luck let us know how you get on

So the doctor sent me a text and said the symptoms can linger a bit after anti biotics but it will pass and I should give a few weeks before calling back.

I wouldn't give it a few weeks if you're still in pain, that seems a lot. Did they offer any more pain relief?

@Cocolapew

I wouldn't give it a few weeks if you're still in pain, that seems a lot. Did they offer any more pain relief?

No they didn't. So I wrote back and said about the pains and things and that they told me it could be costochondritis at the hospital and they wrote back and said it sounds very rib related and sent me a link to costochondritis and told me to read how to treat it and if I get worse to call back but give it a few weeks. :(

That's a bit shit

@Cocolapew

That's a bit shit

Yeah but what can I do lol. How long does costochondritis usually last? I've just never heard of it before and the pains are so scary.. I guess I'm just struggling to believe what they say.. :/

I would usually have it for 4 or 5 weeks, I have Lupus and I would get it and pleurisy 2 or 3 times a year.

@Cocolapew

I would usually have it for 4 or 5 weeks, I have Lupus and I would get it and pleurisy 2 or 3 times a year.

Ok well it's only been a week and a bit really so far since these pains have been happening, I guess il just wait it out and see