turns out my giving up smoking cough is actually pneumonia

[Quadrophenia]

have had bad cough for three weeks went to dr last week and had antibiotics for a chest infection, didn't improve, been struggling all week with breathlessness and massive coughing fits, chemist gave me some throat lozenges!!!
Anywhow after another night of not being able to sleep properly went to gp this morning (funnily enough feeling slightly better) and was told i had crackling and wheezing and a blockage preventing me from coughing anything up particularly from my left lung. Have been given an inhaler, some clarithromycin and been told to rest (easier said than done with four kids) and to go back next week if no improvement for a chest x ray.

Anyway apart from breathlessness and coughing fits, I don't feel too poorly, should I be cancelling my shifts next week at work or seeing how i go?

Poor you Quadrophenia ! You must be feeling awful.
Are you able to get some help with the children in order to get some rest ?
It would be wise to get better first then see how you feel -

dp is about but ranges from being sympathetic to asking me to help him in the garden

I'm not very good at sitting down and doing nothing (hence the fact that I'm on here ) but my mum keeps moaning at me that its really, really important I rest and she is usually right

Right, thats it. Dp and mum can do the childcare and nurse you as well.
No gardening.
Now off to your bed.

the water is on, I may have bath and read a book, lots of people around about who would help me out but because i don't feel overly ill i feel a fraud!!

Be a COMPLETELY over-the-top drama queen about it.
Hold a handkerchief over your mouth as you cough and groan lots.
Comment often about how TIRED and exhausted you feel. Weep. Cough and weep at the same time. Maybe even a dizzy turn (in the garden ).

Then off to bed with a book, a treat and plenty of fluids.

good god you have pneumonia sign off work for as long as you like don't even think about work! Don't mean to freak you but it is v serious and may leave you v weak for a long time.

My husband had pneumonia last year. He did not rest enough and it resulted in him needing three lots of antibiotics - and he had pneumonia for a very long time. Over one year later he is still weak and fragile. It is SO important to take time off and rest, rest, rest. Even if you think you are getting better just rest again. Remember - pneumonia is very serious and it can kill you or make you very weak for a long, long time. Not trying to scare you but it truly is serious and needs to be taken seriously. Now go and rest and rest again!

thanks am duly resting, have just had a bath and am now going to have an early night, inhaler seems to be helping so hopefully should get a better nights sleep.

can i ask quadrophenia, does your chest reallllly hurt? i've been given an inhaler and antibiotics this morning, but i'm in so much pain right now... when i breathe, coughing, moving (had to get dp to help me stand up from lying on the bed)

or am i just being a pathetic wimp?

have been in quite abit of pain, although not so bad now, not sure wether it was a symptom or wether it was due to coughing so muchb and pulling all the muscles.
Feel absolutely drained today been in bed for three hours this pm

hope you feel better soon sarahlou

hi, thanks... hope you feel better soon aswell!

ended back at gp's and have bruised my ribs and lungs from coughing so much!

nice!

yikes you poor beggar!
have a rest for as long as practical