Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Pneumonia

83 replies

Jaffacake007 · 18/09/2021 20:10

Hi

I was wondering for people who have had pneumonia - how long until you started feeling better?

I went to a&e with back and chest pains. They diagnosed me with 'severe' pneumonia in my right lung. I was hospitalised for 5 nights, on oxygen and IV antibiotics. Been sent home on oral antibiotics. I've been home for a week and still have chest ache (much better than the pain) when doing deep breaths and moving. I feel better in myself and I'm less short of breath going up the stairs etc, but my oxygen levels are still low (I have bought a stats machine).

It isn't COVID related as I've done many, many PCR tests in the hospital and the doctors are baffled with how I've contracted it this severely when I'm only 26 Grin

I'm watching physio YouTube videos for breathing excersises and I'm still sleeping upright as I'm in pain lying down. Any experiences or tips would be great x

OP posts:
Gherkingreen · 21/09/2021 17:22

@Jaffacake007 I had pneumonia and sepsis after flu a few years ago, I was early 40s, very healthy, no underlying issues.
I saw GP twice in about three days for what he said was a chest infection, during this time I deteriorated quickly and he suggested a chest x-ray.
I had the x-ray, it showed my left lung was a white out, and I was immediately hospitalised, on IV antibiotics and fluids for five days. It was hideous and I think I was very lucky as my blood infection levels were extremely high.
I had seven weeks off work and I started to feel a lot better after about a month. It was six months before the extreme tiredness got better.
Take it easy, rest more than you think you need to and don't rush back to work before you feel absolutely ready.
Hope you feel better soon!

Gherkingreen · 21/09/2021 17:25

@Jaffacake007 so sorry I didn't read your updates, I hope things are okay and you're feeling better soon! Take care

windowstothesoul · 22/09/2021 07:22

How are you feeling @Jaffacake007

I am projecting here, but think it must be scary to be on the Covid ward? Do you have family that can drop things off to you - ear plugs etc

Hope on the ward round they share a good plan with you -

Take care

Original poster
Jaffacake007 · 22/09/2021 07:59

Hi everyone

I'm now on a covid ward, thankfully it's just me and one other lady in our own room. She previously was on a ventilator but is now recovering here. The covid caused her to have a clot in her lungs.. she's in her 40s with no health conditions. I can hear others on the main ward and it does sound horrendous... I have headphones but my internet signal is rubbish here. I just want to catch up with married at first sight Grin

I'm in good spirits and the covid hasn't affected me too much. Probably because of my age. My stats are decent - 97% oxygen for the last two days which is great considering I was discharged last time on 89%! Heart rate is fast for compensation getting the oxygen around my body. I don't even have too much pain anymore, just pressure and achy-ness in my chest and back. Im really hoping I've got a mild case of covid which has irritated my lungs even more after having pneumonia and I just need the fluid to be drained. That is best case scenario. Im having another CT to rule out clots and cancer etc but I'm keeping positive about this as I have already had a CT which didn't show either... but you never know Confused

What is very, very annoying is that there have been very avoidable errors made by the doctors here. Having been in hospital for 5 days during my last stay, I should have had 3 PCR tests according to their policy. I only had one PCR test (negative) on day 1 of my admission. The CT scan on day 1 also did not pick up covid. If I had the other two PCRs it would be apparent whether I picked up covid in the hospital or not. I have already put in a complaint with PALS due to being discharged when I was medically worse. The nurses are truly so, so wonderful - I honestly don't know how they put up with some of the more 'difficult' patients Wink but also those with severe covid.

The fluid on my lungs they think is a result of the infection and covid... still awaiting a CT scan which was supposed to happen yesterday but was pushed back because I have covid and have to have a specific time slot I think?

Sorry for the essay and not tagging you all directly, my internet is truly shocking and I have to pretty much hang out of the window to get internet or phone signal so I'm incredibly bored!

OP posts:
Original poster
Jaffacake007 · 22/09/2021 08:01

Oh and another point was that I did 8 lateral flow tests for the week and a bit I was at home and I did 1 more on admission to the hospital.

EACH one was a negative result! But PCR positive...

I'm a primary school teacher and obviously staff are using these to identify cases, of course they're not completely accurate.. but it's made me sooo sceptical of their use as 9 tests have indicated I was negative. Baffling Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Jaffacake007 · 22/09/2021 08:06

I have my parents bringing me treats daily, I'm such a princess with hospital food.

Really missing my little girl - she was walking really well across the room for the first time yesterday and I missed it being here Hmm

Also a bit worried as I've been in contact with my partner and mum and both are severely asthmatic and my partner is an ex-smoker...

OP posts:
Londonnight · 22/09/2021 09:19

My friend had pneumonia earlier this year, she was in hospital for almost three weeks. It has taken her a good six months to feel she is turning a corner. Still has good and bad days. I think it is said that it can take around a year to recover fully.

Original poster
Jaffacake007 · 23/09/2021 00:05

Final update (hopefully)

I have a blood clot in my lung caused by covid. On top of the pneumonia...

Very glad I came back into the hospital now!

OP posts:
GotToGoBye · 23/09/2021 00:18

I used to work on respiratory ward and as the patients (no underlying health problems) left the consultant would say you won’t be fully recovered for 3 months but then you won’t be at increased risk of getting it again either.

windowstothesoul · 23/09/2021 07:46

Sorry to read your update - you are in the right place - so glad you went back.

How are you feeling about the blood clot?

Sending positive vibes - Daffodil

TheVolturi · 23/09/2021 11:36

Sorry to read your update. What have they said will happen now?

Hairyfairy01 · 23/09/2021 18:19

So sorry to hear your updates. How are you now?

TaraR2020 · 23/09/2021 18:32

Op how horrible for you!

No wonder you were feeling so terribly if you picked up covid too Sad

I've had serious health episodes a few times and recovery can be dispiriting. The trick is to focus on the little improvements, they'll feel tiny buy you'll soon realise they take you a long way each time back to health.

Take it slow, don't rush it and don't feel bad about it taking time. It's worth it to make sure you recover properly, you'll value your health like you never have before.

I hope they take much better care of you in hospital this time! Flowers

Original poster
Jaffacake007 · 23/09/2021 19:33

Thanks again everyone.

I have literally just got home.
Series of events basically were 1) pneumonia 2) picked up covid in hospital 3) covid caused a large pulmonary embolism 4) PE caused fluid in lungs.

Taking blood thinners now for 6 months and I'm going to rest a hell of a lot! I've literally just sat on the sofa and I instantly feel so much better and more relaxed compared to being on a covid ward.

I just wished they had followed their procedures to test me for covid multiple times and perhaps it would have been picked up sooner and prevented the clot.

I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and kind words, thank you very much Smile

I'm now going to order a Nando's because hospital food is vile and catch up on lots of telly!

OP posts:
TheVolturi · 23/09/2021 20:42

So glad you're home and feeling better op! What a relief to finally have some answers and treatment. Any doubt about anything, get yourself back there to be seen. Take it easy and enjoy your nandos FlowersFlowers

applesandpears33 · 23/09/2021 20:56

I've just found this thread. Glad to hear you are home. You have been through the mill with it all.

I had pneumonia nine years ago and my only advice is get plenty of rest and take things slowly. When I started to recover I did things too quickly and ended up feeling dreadful again. Be wary of going back to work too quickly and doing too many hours. If possible, when you do go back it may be good to consider a phased return.

Good luck

freshcarnation · 24/09/2021 07:59

It took six months to recover from single pneumonia. I had a persistent cough. It was 30 years ago and the elderly pharmacist told me to take a small whisky before bed each evening Smile

Original poster
Jaffacake007 · 24/09/2021 15:31

@TheVolturi

So glad you're home and feeling better op! What a relief to finally have some answers and treatment. Any doubt about anything, get yourself back there to be seen. Take it easy and enjoy your nandos FlowersFlowers
Thank you so much x
OP posts:
Original poster
Jaffacake007 · 24/09/2021 15:34

For those of you who has fluid / effusions on your lungs after pneumonia or PE, did you have the fluid drained?

Is there anyone was still sent home with fluid?

I'm told the bacterial pneumonia is 'gone' but I'm left with mild fluid from either the infection or the blood clot. They have said this should go away on its own in approx 3 weeks...

Glad I've got an answer but at the same time I'm being a bit of an idiot Googling away Grin just want to feel better and not worry that the clot is going to shift!

OP posts:
applesandpears33 · 24/09/2021 18:13

I didn't have the fluid drained. I was on several courses of anti biotics and it went away.

Original poster
Jaffacake007 · 24/09/2021 18:43

@applesandpears33

I didn't have the fluid drained. I was on several courses of anti biotics and it went away.
Great, that's made me less worried! Smile
OP posts:
Mumadof3 · 26/11/2021 17:58

Oh wow just read this thread really hope your doing better now OP?

Original poster
Jaffacake007 · 26/11/2021 18:15

@Mumadof3

Oh wow just read this thread really hope your doing better now OP?
Hi Smile

I'm finally feeling much better thank you, I think this last week has been a turning point for me! Having pneumonia, then covid, then a PE in one go seems crazy looking back...

I'm still taking it easy but now I'm able to do basic things like walk around a shop (slowly!). I still have chest tightness and recent X-rays have shown a slight bit of fluid STILL on my lung but I'm getting there. Back to work in a few weeks hopefully!

OP posts:
Primrosefields · 26/11/2021 18:43

Just take things easy. I had pneumonia when I was 7 months pregnant and ended up in hospital. It took me ages to recover. Even now, several years later, the really cold weather affects my lungs.

hedgehogger1 · 26/11/2021 18:46

I had it end of October. Went back to work in January but wasn't right for a long time after