Pneumonia

[Shiningstarr]

I've been poorly with pneumonia, managed to stay out of hospital which was good. I've got asthma aswell so it's been a bit of a struggle.

Was prescribed amoxicillin and prednisolone, but after a week I was still poorly with the same symptoms.

Started doxycycline and prednisolone and just finished the course and I'm still struggling.

Calling doctors tomorrow but what will be next? Chest is really noisy, worse at night and sounds like an orchestra.

What happened at the doctors @Shiningstarr? I had a similar experience, with your background, a few years ago. It took me weeks to get off the prednisone in the end and I had to have my asthma meds changed to much stronger ones, even though I hadn't seen the need previously for more than ventolin.

Hi,

My GP said I'm very poorly. I've now got crackles on both sides. She said she's treating me as if I were in hospital, so I've got amoxicillin, clarithromycin and prednisolone.

If this doesn't work I've got to be admitted. I'm already on the strongest asthma meds so can't go any higher x

Sorry change of user name x

To be honest you might be better off in Hospital with IV antibiotics.

I was struggling at home in very similar circumstances, had 24 hours in hospital and that really, really helped.

Have they given you a sats probe to monitor oxygenation? If not ask, the community team will have them. The difference between been at home on meds and going into hospital is when sats drop and you need oxygen therapy.

Same. End of last year after steroids & 3 lots of antibiotics. I’m just getting over bronchitis 2x antibiotics & steroids again. It’s a never ending cycle.

Thanks for replies,

I've got a sats probe and luckily my sats haven't dropped too much. On my last course of antibiotics (doxycycline), they dropped to 92 but they have been 96 this time round.

Unfortunately I'm not tolerating the clarithromycin too well. I've taken 2 tablets and I've felt really rough since, kind of spaced out and strange. I'm reading words that aren't there.

Going to see how I feel tomorrow on them. Also extremely thirsty.

If your sats are about 95 that's really important. If your chest is noisy are you managing to cough any gunk up? Do a bit of chest physio, so every couple of hours take some really deep breaths expand your lung bases then cough and cough to get it up.
If secretions are thick and hard to shift have you tried a saline neb? As you're asthmatic you may have a machine so ask your gp for some saline nebules and use those every few hours. They can be brilliant at loosening and thinning secretions.
Hope you feel better soon.

Do keep an eye on your sats. Mine were fine when sat down but if I walked a bit they dropped to below 90.