Pneumonia?

[2angelsinheaven]

Well it's been about a month since I got sick, it started with a terrible sore throat, and ear aches. It progressed to congestion so I went to see the Dr. he gives me antibotics and a cough syrup, I'm ok for a day and then it's back again, go to see him (two weeks from the first visit), gives me antibiotics, nasal spray, pain pills, decongestant, etc. Week later I'm still SICK! I call today because Friday night I began to wheeze. Yesterday it got so bad other people in the room could hear it and my chest felt like it was crackling. Woke up this morning and it was still there and I'm very out of breath. I called my Doctor who ordered a chest X-ray and an inhaler. I'll get the results in the morning but the nurse said maybe pneumonia. Anyone have experience with this, I hope it goes away quickly I want to breath again...lol.

I can't talk, eat, etc because I get so out of breath it's painful.

 

[honeymom]

I have only had walking pneumonia which wasn't too bad. My son had the regular type. You do sound like you have pneumonia and I am almost thinking that you might want to go to the emergency room. You sound like you are having some real distress and they might be able to get you on a respirator and give you an iv drip of antibiotics. Maybe you should call the doctor, explain how bad it has gotten and see about heading to the er.

Good luck. I hope you feel much better soon.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I am recovering from Pneumonia as we speak. Last year it put me in the hospital for a week. Similar symptoms you started with that just compounded. My first visit I had a chest x-ray that confirmed it. I have been back 2 times since the first due to my breathing. Finally after almost 3 weeks I can say I feel better! The worst lingering symptom is the fatigue. I never slept so much! Take your medicines as prescribed get lots of rest and stay hydrated! Hope you feel better soon.
Sleep upright and keep the air moist. Pain meds round the clock helped me too.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I just wish I could stop coughing, my head is splitting due to the pain from coughing. I feel sleepy but otherwise ok, better than last week but the coughing and shortness of breath (mostly when I exhale) is really bad. I read the symptoms online but I don't have green or red mucus infact I don't have anything coming up, it's a really dry cough but there feels like rattling/marbles up and down my my chest/neck. And sounds like it too.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I just wish I could stop coughing, my head is splitting due to the pain from coughing. I feel sleepy but otherwise ok, better than last week but the coughing and shortness of breath (mostly when I exhale) is really bad. I read the symptoms online but I don't have green or red mucus infact I don't have anything coming up, it's a really dry cough but there feels like rattling/marbles up and down my my chest/neck. And sounds like it too.

Shortness of breath on expiration can also be indicative of Asthma. My cough was not productive either and was very tight. Pneumonia can be viral ,bacterial and even fungal. Different symptoms can occur based on that.

 

[Poppinsme]

Registered Respiratory Therapist here. Sounds like you have Rhonchi(wheezing). Not all pneumonias need an MDI(inhaler) but if you have an acute episode of s.o.b.(shortness of breath) then you need a broncodilator treatment asap. That is an aerosol treatment not an inhaler. I use a combovent inhaler which is Albuterol/Atrovent. I have always found the best thing for acute s.o.b. is aerosol treatments and a steroid(salu-medrol). Not all x-rays are conclusive for pneumonia. I got hospital acquired pneumonia last March and it was bacterial. Very bad. I'm still not right from this. If you smoke STOP. If your chest feels tight and you are having a hard time INHALING go to ER stat. Don't screw around with your lungs. Don't be embarrassed. Any questions please ask me.

 

[Poppinsme]

Also get some cough medicine thats good like a codeine based syrup. And if its confirmed by x-ray then you need to find out what kind of pneumonia you have. Viral pneumonia can not be treated by antibiotics.

 

[golfgal]

I am curious why your Dr has to wait so long to get you the results of your xrays? Pneumonia is pretty obvious on xrays. I would also be concerned that even talking makes you short of breath and why they didn't do further testing to check your oxygen levels, etc. You might want to see another dr for another opinion. My niece had a bad bout of pneumonia a couple years ago and her dr did much like yours did and really didn't do much. She ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks and had to have surgery to drain her lungs.

 

[KristiKelly]

DD19 mo. had pneumonia over Christmas. She got over it pretty quickly, about a week. She was taking very short breaths and running a fever 102+, very, very lathargic. I could hear crackling in her back when she would breathe (almost like Rice Krispies sound). Her pediatrician was able to see it immediately on an x-ray. He put her on a strong antibiotic, we could start to see improvement within a couple of days.

Please take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon.

 

[ckmommy]

My DH just got out of the hospital (last night) for pneumonia. He was in for a week. He symptoms that sent us to the ER were: shallow breathing, coughing up phelm mixed with blood and a sharp knifing pain in his back going around to his lungs. This all happened in a few hours time. he had been sick with a cold, then had the stomach bug, then progressed to pneumonia. Keep us posted about your illness.