Lingering chest infection

[millenialmolly]

Hi, just looking for a bit of advice, appreciate this isn’t a Drs surgery but until that’s open tomorrow…

Diagnosed with a chest infection almost 4 weeks ago, had a 5 day course of antibiotics (doxycycline). Made little difference so went back to the Drs- was told it was probably viral or Covid so no point in further antibiotics, instead given an inhaler to manage breathlessness and wheezing etc. Again, made little difference so went back another week later and was told by a different Dr he thought I had a bacterial chest infection and was prescribed amoxicillin for 5 days.

Whilst this last bout of antibiotics has made a bit of a difference, my chest is still quite tight, I’m wheezing and gurgling (sounds like a cat purring when I exhale) and a bit breathless when doing normal activities for an extended period such as shopping this morning.

I’ve had to take a few weeks off work (teacher) as the breathlessness was much worse in work and I was quite fatigued. I’m feeling quite miserable and sick of it now as I just want to be back to normal! Going to return to the Drs tomorrow for further advice but in the meantime- was just wondering if anyone had experienced anything similar and if so, did anything help?

I’ve never smoked and usually if I’m sick I’m better within a week.

I don't have any advice sorry, but I'm following as I'm currently experiencing the same.

My symptoms started in February. I was initially given amoxicillin and then doxycycline. I felt slightly better for maybe a week or two and it's hit me like a tone of bricks again.

I've been given a 7 day course of doxycycline and have 2 days left, still not much better.

It's the crackling on exhale that's worrying me and the excessive amount of mucus that's coming up with coughing 🤢

Gp said my oxygen levels are fine and my chest sounds clear, they are not concerned about it. The fatigue is bone crushing and unbearable.

Have you submitted a sputum sample to your GP? If not, you could ask your Gp if you could do this, this would show whether you had a bacterial infection and what specific antibiotic you need. Are you bringing up much gunk from your chest? When I had chest problems, my Gp sent me for an xray, it didn’t show anything, but I think it can show things. I asked my Gp for a respiratory referral, this took about 7 months, so I went private. Privately, the respiratory consultant ordered lung function tests and a CT scan. It turned out that I had a lung condition, this showed up on the CT scan.

I was also going to suggest sputum sample.
They can culture it and find out what it is and what antibiotics will kill it.

Can I ask what specialist you seen for the respiratory referral please?

Respiratory Consultant (doctor)

Hi

i posted about this but didn’t get uptake.

have had exactly the same symptoms and am also a teacher and have been off work for quite a while. I’ve just finished by 6th course of antibiotics. I’m now having a dose of steroids and they relieve the chest tightness for a bit so recommend asking for that.

like a pp said the fatigue is awful. I can’t bring myself to go for even a small walk most days. The thought is exhausting.

I had a long chat with the GP today and I am also being referred to respiratory team for lung functions tests now. Feel relieved. Recommend asking if you don’t clear up within a few weeks.

I know someone with the same, also a teacher. They have been diagnosed with asthma.

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies- just realised I hadn’t updated!

Interesting to hear others experiences- has anyone’s symptoms improved?

I felt slightly better than I had so was back in work last week. Fast forward a week later and I’m coughing again, bringing mucus up and I’ve completely lost my voice- not ideal as a teacher!

Drs appointment this morning, he said I’ve still got a chest infection and has recommended a sputum sample and another 7 days of amoxicillin. I did have a chest x Ray last week and that was clear. So we’ll see what comes back off this sample. I definitely don’t feel as bad as in the beginning but don’t feel great!

Hi @millenialmolly

Yea! My sputum sample showed up an atypical pneumonia which btw doesn’t respond to amoxicillin (completely resistant). I’m now on two weeks of x2 doxycycline a day. I’m on day 6 and I feel sooo much better.

hope your sputum sample maybe shows something.

Thanks for the update.

I too had a chest xray last week that was clear. I'm just waiting for my sputum sample results to come back.

I was given 7 days of doxy followed by 5 days of amoxicillin. The mucus and cough have slightly improved however I'm still feeling very run down and lethargic.

Worth checking that the antibiotics haven't given you oral thrush. Just recovering from this, and last night was the first time in ages that I didn't have to sleep sitting up due to the thrush making my throat swell. A white coating on your tongue can indicate this.

@AlanpartridgGlad you’re feeling better, it sounds like if they find something in the sample that’s really helpful so you get the right antibiotics! Fingers crossed it’s onwards and upwards for you now ☺️

@SpicyWaterit sounds like we’ve had really similar symptoms- sorry you’re still not recovered! When did you pass in your sample? I’m going to take mine back this afternoon, hoping it doesn’t take too long x

@millenialmolly I handed my sample in on Monday. Still no results yet so I'm guessing I'll need to wait until Tuesday now due to the holiday.

I wonder if there's some sort of 'bug' going around that's causing this as we do have very similar symptoms. I was also swabbed for flu and covid and that came back negative. It's so frustrating!

Keep me posted if you get any answers.

I tested for Covid too, came back negative but then I’d been poorly for a few weeks at that point. Maybe it is a new Covid strain?

Never in my life has a bug or infection lingered this long for me, usually after 2-3 days I’m back to normal. This is week 6 now! I have been back in work but it’s not been easy as I teach in a SEND school which is tiring at the best of times but particularly when you’re breathless and can barely get a sentence out!

@SpicyWatermeant to say, keep me posted too! 🤞

I’m on month 3 of being unwell and am struggling mentally. Although the antibiotics are taking away my cough and sore throat etc, I’m still absolutely crushed by fatigue most days. All I’ve wanted to do is sleep all day today. It’s becoming harder to emotionally hold it together because I’m so worn down.

I was diagnosed with pneumonia and have read it can take up to 6 months to recover from .

No way I could be back at work like you are as can barely lift my shopping bags without feeling exhausted!

So sorry to hear that 🙁 fingers crossed you start to see an improvement each day now. Fatigue is a killer but especially when you’ve had months of it, it’d be hard to hit feel down.

sending love ❤️

Thank you. Significantly better today so hopeful I’m on the mend. Any result for you from your sample ?

Ahh that’s good to hear! Glad you’re feeling better today.

No sample results yet, only dropped it off Thursday late afternoon. How long did yours take to come back?

I’m up and down constantly atm, wheezing and breathless again today 😫

Mine came back next day but I was admitted to hospital last week so I don’t know if it’s quicker that way. I went for a walk and felt so short of breath I thought I might die and took myself up. When I got there my ecg was abnormal and my heart rate was high very 100 at rest. They said that was the illness causing that.

That feeling has largely gone now following 1 week of doxycycline and I have another week to go.its important to get the right antibiotic.

Ach- that’s rubbish. Are you coughing much up? Just wondering if you managed to get a good sample for them? I reckon you will hear Monday/Tuesday. It also might be worth speaking to GP about some steroids/an inhaler to try and relieve some of the discomfort. Also if it gets really bad with the breathlessness- maybe call 101.

Oh gosh you poor thing, hopefully you didn’t have to stay in hospital too long? It’s good to hear that the doxycycline is making a difference for you.

I had stopped coughing stuff up but the last few days it’s been a lot again, so luckily I managed to get a decent amount for the test. Fingers crossed I get to the bottom of it after next week, fed up of feeling like this! I don’t feel as dreadful as I did but just lacking in motivation for anything atm as I’m so tired still!

I have got a blue inhaler which they gave me a few weeks back, that’s providing some temporary relief when feeling breathless etc.

That’s good- if you got a good sample then hopefully something will come up that helps you get better. Keep us posted.

That thing about the lacking motivation I think is a result of being unwell. I couldn’t make dinner or manage a small walk a week ago but am now managing those things. I think when you’ve felt like that for so long it becomes difficult to see past it but you will pick up once you get shot of your illness.

Hope everyone who’s been feeling poorly is on the mend!

Still no results from my sputum sample, GP surgery said there’s a backlog because of bank holiday Monday 🤷‍♀️ so to check back next week. Luckily I am feeling much better but I had my last day of antibiotics yesterday so I’m worried I’ll go downhill again now! Hopefully not.

That’s frustrating you haven’t had your result! Fingers crossed for you that you don’t become unwell again.

im nearly at the end of my course as well and have similar worries!