Pneumonia or being dramatic?

[cluelessgirly]

How do I know if I have pneumonia?

I've had a horrible chesty cough now for a month (I will say it did improve after antibiotics but didn't fully go, I then got another cold a week ago and the chesty cough has ramped up again.

I went doctors two days ago who listened to my chest and said no need for antibiotics but prescribed me inhalers.

I don't feel like this cough is crackly when I breath in deeply like it was when I had the antibiotics. However it is a phelmy cough, sometimes I can spit up a bit of phelm that is white in colour. Maybe a slight yellow tinge but mainly white. It's just the cough is so bad it's making my chest feel heavy by the end of the day. I'm nearly gagging when I'm coughing and it's just exhausting..
I feel like I also look pale? Could this be pneumonia?

I did mention to the doctor and he said 'you would feel really unwell' but I have felt unwell. The last few days I've been really lethargic but I've also had other cold symptoms so maybe it's flu?

Anyone had pneumonia and know what it's like??

I get such bad health anxiety and just don't know whether I'm missing something or not

This is a good point, thank you.

I mean, I can't be that ill as I've been working all day. Haven't eaten much and it's been a bit of a struggle but I managed.. I guess maybe it might be back to back and I'm not getting a chance to recover.

Will phone GP tomorrow though and might do a Covid test to put my mind at ease? Idk.

Thank you for your help appreciate it x

In case anyone reads this thread and wants an update

I got progressively worse over the weekend. Felt generally really really unwell. Cough so so bad. Was struggling to look after my 3 year old. I took myself up the hospital

I had a temperature
High blood pressure
Fast heart rate
Paleness
Tiredness
Coughing up yellow mucus
No appetite
Feeling generally unwell

Doctor has prescribed chlarithromycin. I'm 3 antibiotics in, don't feel like I have a temperature anymore so praying they work and I shift whatever this is

I had pneumonia a few years ago at the age of 35. I was extremely raspy, could hardly breathe, any slight exertion lead to heavy wheezy breathing, was sweating absolute buckets and felt horrendous. X-ray showed it was in both lungs. Hospital stay with IV antibiotics and strong antibiotics at home and was exhausted for weeks. Lost loads of weight as couldn't eat (very unusual for me 🤣!)
However, have just had the worst flu/chest infection, and felt as bad as I did with pneumonia. Was bed bound for over two weeks. I'm sure I have an awful immune system/autoimmune condition, but other family members who are normally fighting fit/get over illness much easier than me, have also been knocked out with this flu/virus this year. Flu admissions to hospital are extremely high at the moment, you can also die of flu, it can knock you for six. I think there is an awful virus going round at the moment but definitely go back to Drs if you're not improving. Also to add the dr at the walk in centre listened to my chest and put me on a nebuliser for 10 minutes as thought the crackle in my lungs wasn't too bad when I had pneumonia, but I was back at the hospital within hours and admitted, then they X-rayed me and saw the pneumonia in my lungs. Thet can get it wrong!
Feel better soon 😊

Bless your heart. I hope you're feeling better now?

I also seem to find it really hard to get over illnesses nowadays! I'm thinking of requesting regular blood tests to see if something is going on.

I also think I may push for a chest xray as I'm 3 nearly 4 days into the antibiotics, I feel better in myself but the cough and mucus/fluid feeling hasn't improved? If it has, it's improved minimally.

Can I ask how long it took this symptom to improve for you at all please? I'm so worried that there's something worse happening and the antibiotics are maybe stopping it getting worse but not helping me get better :(