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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsHas anyone ever had pleurisy?
As some of you know, I have had a bad flu/cough since about Dec 27th. I have been to the Dr. once and I don't have pneumonia and probably not bronchitis, however my cough - which is intermittent - still has not gone away. Sometimes I won't cough for hours (and yes, I am taking Tessalon perles in the evening and a decongestant & Mucinex during the day).
Earlier, the area in my lower rib-cage was sore and achy when I coughed and felt like I had pulled a muscle, but the Dr. said it was probably inflammation in my lung. However, over the past few days i have had a sharp, deep pain in my upper right lung/chest area and I Googled it and the most likely diagnosis is pleurisy. If it's viral, it should go away on it's own, however I was just wondering what your experience was with it and how serious it is - or how seriously I should take it. I tend to not want to go to the Dr. if I don't have to.
Thanks in advance!
mahina
(17,696 posts)Thankfully I was wrong.
Best luck!
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I think what scared me was that it can be very serious, although I was certain it was related to my cold. If I don't feel better by Monday, I will go to the Dr. again.
MythosMaster
(445 posts)Seriously...
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Do you know anything that makes you say that?
MythosMaster
(445 posts)go see a specialist. not trying to alarm you.
I am not a doctor, but go.
SCantiGOP
(13,873 posts)Made it till my late 50s. Starting having sharp, serious chest pain as I was getting ready to go to bed, but it only hurt when I breathed so I assumed it couldn't be heart related.
When I finally gave in and woke up my wife she took me to the ER. If you want to get taken in quickly just walk up to the desk and wheeze out "I can hardly breathe and chest hurts." They took me straight back.
First thing they had to do was rule out a heart issue. After two tests they were finally able to rule out a heart attack. Two shots of morphine had not touched the pain. The doctor told me he thought it was pleurisy and ordered a dose of Toradol in my IV, which he later described to me as a 'super-charged Advil.' It is an anti-inflammatory drug. Literally within minutes - probably within the first minute - the pain began to go away. 10 minutes later I was completely pain-free but they wouldn't let me go home for another 5 hours.
No sense suffering, and we all make a mistake when we self-diagnose or use our Google Medical Degree. My pain was really more than I could deal with, and chest pain is not something to ignore.
Get you ass to a Doctor, or, in your case to a vet Mr/Mrs Monkey.....
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I always tend to think everything will right itself eventually, but maybe that is not the wisest course to take in this situation. I love the reference to the "Google Medical Degree". I definitely think I am my own best doctor when I look things up myself.
I will make an appointment as soon as possible. Thanks for the advice!
blue neen
(12,328 posts)You should get this checked out asap.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I'm starting to think this isn't normal. I have never had this before and I should probably make an appointment asap.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)It feels like you're getting stabbed every time you breathe, and it's particularly wretched if you also have a cough. Go to the doctor, stat, because it can get worse.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)It feels like I am being stabbed when I breathe deeply, cough, or even move a certain way. I appreciate your advice. You have all convinced me that I should not be stubborn and should see a doctor asap.
Thanks!
sinkingfeeling
(51,473 posts)painful. I thought I had cracked a rib coughing so hard. It took almost 2 weeks to clear. It's an infection of the lining of the lungs.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)if it doesn't hurt when I touch it, it was a lung inflammation and not a pulled muscle or a broken rib. Thanks for letting me know of your experience!
Texasgal
(17,047 posts)She had a horrible cold that lingered and was not the flu. She's been back and forth to the doctors office over the last month and has been treated with a steroid shot and naproxin. She's been miserable for atleast a month.
I just noticed that she seems to be doing better over the last few days. I assume the anti-inflams are working for her.
Take this seriously, it could turn into something worse. I hope you feel better soon.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)that should be looked into. Thank you for your advice and well wishes!
rurallib
(62,448 posts)but I can remember the pain very much like you described. It just plain hurt to breath
They got me to the doctor after I passed out on the playground at recess.
Can't remember what they gave me. I was in bed for 2 or 3 days.
I hope I never have anything like that again.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)ibuprofen and external pain patches and they have helped a lot, but I think I should see a doc just to make sure. Thank you!
woody44
(34 posts)I will not forget it, some of the worst pain ever!! I spent days sitting in a recliner trying not to breathe and dreading if I had to cough!
I finally went to Dr and was diagnosed with it and given antibiotics and pain meds. Took a couple days to go away. Believe me if you have a good case of it you will know and remember!
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)And you can't not breathe. And the coughing part, gahh! I think it was about 40 years ago for me, too, but it looms large in my memory. It's pretty easily cured in a few days with antibiotics, fortunately.
Laffy Kat
(16,386 posts)I once coughed so hard I caused a small pneumothorax (air bubble in the lung). Thought I was dying, but it was small enough I didn't have to have a chest tube or anything. I guess if they're small enough they will just monitor and it eventually resolved on it's own. Anyway, when it first happened it hurt so bad I though I'd broken a rib or something.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)It does feel like a broken rib, but I am using Ibuprofen and Vicks and a heating pad and that is at least keeping me comfortable for now.
Thanks for the advice!