And progress came to a screetching halt...

On Saturday what began as in intermittent and annoying pain in my upper right side,  quickly progressed to debilitating and knife like. It seems I have pleurisy. Anyone else out there experienced this? I've searched the internet and don't really find any answers as to how long I can expect to feel this way. 

It can be caused by a number of things, many times it accompanies pneumonia or bronchitis. It is also sometimes associated with Rheumatoid arthritis. I wasn't sick at all before the pain started. No cough, no fever. I do have RA, but since I take prednisone daily to help my breathing, it keeps the RA symptoms at bay. I don't know if I have this as complication of the arthritis or my lung disease or both. I'm just praying for some relief soon.  I've done nothing but hang out on the couch with a heating pad and pop ibuprofen. The doc gave me something stronger, but I stayed awake all night Saturday, feeling like bugs were crawling on me. I've nearly finished five days worth of antibiotics and don't feel any better than I did on Saturday. Anyone reading ever had pleurisy and how long did it last? I'm way past over it!

Comments

[Bridgette]

Oh no! I'm so so sorry:(

I had it a few years back, it came as a package deal with bronchitis...no bow attached.
Very painful, you just need to rest and recuperate.
Want me to bring you some chicken soup:)

[Mitzi Cardona]

I had it 20 yrs ago and thought I was having a heart attack. It lasted about a week, but anti-inflammatory meds helped the most.

[michele]

My husband had it about twenty years ago. I can't remember how long he had it but maybe a week or a little longer. The pain was excruciating. I taught him the breathing exercises that I used during childbirth to help him focus and gain control when the knifing became unbearable. I'll be praying for you.

[Kristin]

oh, I'm sorry! My mom had it last year. I don't remember how long it lasted, but I do know she said it was terrible! :( Sounds like not too long, hopefully!

[Kate]

Ouch- I have never had it, but remember when my Mum did once and maybe for a week it was really bad. Hoping it startes to improve for you soon.

[Elaine]

So sorry!!! I remember my grandmother having it...awful stuff! hope you are over it soon!

[Rebekah]

I'm so sorry to hear this! I had pleurisy about ten years ago and it took about 2 weeks for it to go away. It's so painful. Hopefully the doctor can prescribe something to help ease the pain.

[Claire]

I had pluerisy along with pneumonia when I was in my 20s. I remember it felt like someone had stuck a huge sword down my right lung vertically from my collarbone to my waist. PAINFUL. I think I was sick for a few days. I hope you feel better soon.

[Moira]

This sounds so terrible. I know what it's like to feel completely debilitated and not have faith that an end is in site. My very best wishes to you.

[Carol]

I had it many years ago (30?) it lasted for about two weeks I was physically drained when it was over. It hurt every time I breathed. My thoughts and prayers are truly with you Autum. You must rest!

[Joey]

Hello,
I had pleurisy a few years back at the age of 24. I am very healthy and have never been hospitalized until that day. I thought I was dying. It was a horrible pain in my chest and even in my arms. My brother who is a few years older has had 3 heart surgeries and so, of course I thought I was next. I went to the ER and was diagnosed as pleurisy and they told me to take Motrin. If I can remember they told me that antibiotics wouldn't help because it was a viral infection? It went away within a few days. It was very scary and the pain took me down to my knees a few times. I hope you get better soon!

[Wendy]

I have had it twice and it has lasted about two weeks each time, the first time I thought I was having a heart attack and the doctor gave me a pain killer shot to help with the initial pain, next time I knew what it was and the doctor never even came out to see me just sent the prescription to the chemist for my husband to collect. Hope you get over it soon, like child birth you forget how painful it is.

[Wylie]

Praying for you, sweet Autum! So sorry you are sick.

[Halle G]

I had it about 15 yrs ago and it wasn't very fun. I had a hacking cough and then it turned to pleurisy. Wrapping your chest in an ACE bandage can help although in hot sticky weather that's not to wonderful. Hope you feel better soon.

[Mary]

So sorry to see this! I had it just last year and like many others have said, I felt at the time like I was having a heart attack. Super sharp pains any time I took a breath. It took me about two weeks to feel back to myself, i think i stayed home from work one of those weeks. Get plenty of rest and take it easy. The dr. put me on an anti inflammatory.
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Mary

[cindy]

Bless your heart! I don't have experience with what you're dealing with, but I'll be thinking happy happy thoughts on your behalf for a quick recovery....

[Bonnie]

A couple years ago I thought I had a bad cold. I ended up almost past out on my shower floor with chest pains. I was diagnosed with pleurisy but my doctor acted like it was no big deal. Prescribed a steroid pac and I was good within a few days. I think it's some kind of infection in the lungs. I'm guessing that is significantly more serious to you. Good luck. I hope it goes away very quickly!

[jackie]

I am so sorry, and will be praying. Take care of yourself, the house will wait until you are better. I've never had this before, but will be praying that it is gone as soon as possible, in the mean time, get plenty of rest and heal. Jackie

[Joan G]

I just found your blog and what do I see...that dreaded word pleurisy. I had my first bout with it when I was 24. Healthy as a horse when I went to bed, woke up at 4:00 thinking I was having a heart attack. Once diagnosed I was back to normal in about 5 days. I have had touches off and on since then but never as bad as that first attack. It will get better I promise! And have you gotten this yet....your friends ask what is wrong, you tell them pleurisy....either they give you a quizzical look because they have never heard of it OR they say "I thought only old people got that?" WHATEVER do I look like an OLD PERSON to you?...you think this in your head because you don't have the energy to actually say the words! Anywho, I am sending wishes to you for a quick recovery and a pleurisy-free future!

[Autum]

Thank you Joan! I would not classify myself as healthy but I have never experienced anything like this. The pain is nearly unbearable. Now that I have found some effective pain management, I am doing better, but its still there- just doing my best to say ahead of it with meds.  Ive found anti inflammatory meds to be the most effective. I just hope I turn the corner soon, or my stomach is going to be the next problem. Ive consumed more pills than food in the past week.

Your pleurisy wasnt accompanied by any other illness? Prior to getting sick I had been refinishing a table and chairs. I wonder if inhaling sanding dust or chemical fumes, or the friction from using a power sander could have brought it on. Ive had no fever or other symptoms. Just pain, and yes the accompanying fatigue.

Thanks for your words of understanding!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo Autum

[Joan G.]

Autum, In response to your question regarding other illness...absolutely nothing. Here is what I have learned about it. It is a viral infection that zaps the fluid between the lung and the lung sac...thus the pain...without the fluid the sac is actually rubbing against the lung rather than floating. So I doubt the dust, fumes or friction contributed to the pleurisy..but it probably has contributed to the fatigue. Add your other medical issues and there you go. Oh regarding those meds and your stomach try sweet acidouphalous (I am sure I didn't spell that correctly!)or some yogurt. I just heard this past weekend that was suppose to help the stomach when you're on meds. Autum, this too shall pass and all those renovation projects will wait for you. Relax, you have a good reason! Have a restful (if that is possible) weekend. Now that I have found your blog I will be checking on you.

[Joan Georghiou]

Autum, This is Joan G. again...let me assure you I am not a stalker. With that being said, I have to tell you I was looking at your older posts the way we blog readers do. I read your profile and when you said you have a southern drawl, my curiosity was triggered. From what I can gather (yes, I read your profile on Etsy...let me reiterate I am not a stalker!)you are from eastern N.C. I currently live in Virginia but I grew up in Clinton, NC. In fact, I am heading to Clinton early Saturday morning to visit my folks. And are you kidding me! You were in Pretty Little Patchwork? One of my favorite series of sewing books. In closing, let me just say this has been so strange and I really am not a stalker. Have a restful weekend.

[Faith]

Autum, I'm so sorry to hear you are sick. Wishing you well and praying for you. xo

[Kathy]

I was so sorry to hear about your illness! Take care of yourself, and I hope to soon hear news that you are on the mend. Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way...

[Laura]

Sorry to hear you are not feeling well. I had some of the same symptoms you have and I was diagnosed with Costrochondritis (sp?) You might want to look that up and see if you might be dealing with that. It is very painful and hurts so bad when you take in a breath. I think it lasted for a few weeks. It did get better but it took a long time to start feeling better. I will keep you in my prayers. Get well soon.