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.

How are you now ?

I fear some of my symptoms are returning- will this never end

Ah no what a nightmare 😢 which symptoms have returned?

I feel OK, I am still a bit phlegmy in my chest/throat and I am tired. Whether that’s a full on half term with 3 young kids or the infection still lingering I don’t know!

Was told to check back with the docs Monday afternoon to see if sputum sample is back.

Woke up with a sore throat, chest feels tight again, feel congested in my nose and I’m aching all over and exhausted.

chat gpt is telling me I could be picking up another virus as suseptible right now but worried the horrible bacteria is making a come back.

oh man- 3 kids on top! That’s hard.

DS is in a similar boat. Had pneumonia Christmastime and 2 viruses. GP said cough could take weeks to improve. We have been patient but he coughs a deep single cough about every 5 minutes, Not improved by an inhaler GP prescribed. I took him back a month ago and nurse thought he had another virus but said chest clear and to return if it didn't improve after a few weeks. I am going to take him back again next Tue as I am getting quite concerned now. Was told lungs can take ages to recover from a bad infection but I would have thought a young person would get over this quickly (teen) as it's been 6 months.

hmm. My second ct scan also showed my pneumonia had cleared but I continue with symptoms despite that :(

also been told it can take absolutely ages to recover. It could be his lungs have residual inflammation/damage.

tots think the nice weather would help but no

Yes, maybe its the damage, then repair that makes symptoms linger. Interestingly, he went for a long run today of around an hour and his lungs didn't hold him back at all (? a good sign) but, I can hear him coughing now.

I too thought the warmer, drier weather would improve things.

The GP advised steam inhalation to open up the airways. I'll give that a try again tomorrow.

Oh hope it helps. If his lung capacity is ok it sounds like irritation from the illness.

might give the steam a go today

Rang the GP today and the receptionist said they’ve got my results but can’t tell me anything on the phone so I’ll need to speak to a Dr tomorrow, ffs… worried what this sample could actually show up now?!

how are you feeling now?

if you are still unwell this could be a really positive first step in getting better- think of it that way!

I’m actually feeling a lot better thanks- so who knows, will report back tomorrow. 😂

Hope you’re doing OK? X

Just catching up on your post as this sounds very similar to whatever it was that I had, it took 3 lots of antibiotics (21 days worth) to clear the cackles on my lungs and another month for the pain to go each time I took I breathe. It must have been a good 10 weeks in total I was poorly for, I still can’t exercise fully and am a bit phlegmy but it’s clear.

Ive Had my drs surgery so the same to me when I’d had bloods done, and the only reason it had to be the dr calling was because the receptionist didn’t understand the results (which were fine!!) so hoping it’s the same for you

Ah thankyou for the reassurance. I did figure that might be why they can’t give results on the phone, it’s just a bit unnerving I guess! Fingers crossed it’s nothing to panic over.

Hope you’re feeling better now! I’m on Week 8 of whatever this is, but I have felt a lot better for nearly a week now. It’s just the phlegmy chest and throat at times which are still slightly lingering. Talking to people in my work and friends who are nurses, I’ve never known so many people to have chest infections lately!

It’s even weirder to have chest infections when the weather has been so good! I’d usually have one around March but never had one last from March until June before!

I feel better today than I have the past few days as I’ve finished the antibiotic and think it’s cleared.

i just have the residual muscle/body fatigue now but dr told me could be a while for body to recover.

let us know what happens!

Signing in to the coughing crew. I got what I am sure was Covid at the very end of April (just at payday so I remember!) and still wrecked. I’m coughing up clear mucus and I actually think it’s post-nasal drip rather than my chest, so I haven’t seen a GP (like the Hunger Games to get an appointment here) but it’s so boring and annoying. I’m a lecturer, so solidarity with the poorly teachers!

I’m in the coughing crew as well … I’ve had mine for approx 5 weeks, been the docs today and have a crackle in my chest, so have been given steroids and had a chest xray today, waiting to see what comes back. I’m so tired as coughing half the night so can’t sleep for long. Really hope it gets sorted and goes away soon, just can’t shake it off.

hi coughing crew 👋

I highly recommend keeping a packet of halls soothers next to you and propping yourself up with pillows.

pp mentioned steam inhalation.

It will pass! It has to…?

Hope everyone’s feeling on the mend!

Finally spoke to the Dr today about the sputum sample. It showed up Haemophilus influenza- bit of a mouthful and even the doc struggled to pronounce it 😂. Quick google showed up some pretty scary things but she said if I’m feeling like I’m improving then no further action is needed.

Has anyone heard of this before? It sounds like it’s just the bacteria which caused the infection.

It sounds like pneumonia and a quick google confirms common in children. The joy of teaching!

As long as you genuinely are improving. That is your symptoms should be easing now.

take it easy- it absolutely messes with your body this stuff.