My Lupus presents many times with the symptoms and discomforts caused by pleurisy. In a nutshell, Pleurisy is caused by inflammation of the outer membranes of the lungs. I had had a particularly fun weekend (which involved some moderate drinking of alcohol) and woke up the next day with intense pain when I tried breathing in or out. Boy do I feel sick. Went to the doctor yesterday who empirically diagnosed me with a bacterial infection as well in the lungs. Rheumy prescribed more prednisone and percocet for the pain. I am trying to stay off of the percocet as much as possible.
Is there anyone out there that has had this or knows about it?
Would love to commiserate.
Thanks to all
Thanks so much for answering. No, there was no smoking but I know that what I did (have fun) did contribute. Thanks so much for the support. I am augmentin and prednisone and percocet. Trying to take it easy with the percocet because of the infection in my lung. I will get myself some probiotics .... good idea. You take care as well.
Ann A. said:
Pleurisy and I are old friends. It taught me to sleep sitting up. I also know its good friends and relatives pleural effusions and bacterial and viral pneumonia.
Was there cigarette smoking with the alcohol drinking? Even second hand smoked has triggered a visit from these guys and their dangerous friend pulmonary embolism. Watch out for the costochondritis and pericarditis.
Rapid changes in temperature - really hot and humid outside with air conditioner blasting frigid air has also taken me down,
Yes this is bringing back really painful memories.
What kind of antibiotic did they given you?
Did they give you some probiotics so you fo not get the runs when the antibiotics kill off your beneficial gut microbes?
I want the pain meds just thinking about pleurisy.
Please take care of yourself.
So sorry you have this! With an infection too? OUCH! Well, the pain meds stop the coughing as well, so that's helpful. You didn't mention antibiotics at first, so I'm glad your follow up comment mentioned that you did get antibiotics, since you have a bacterial infection! Sometimes the infection can be in the pleura, and can cause wet pleurisy, or a buildup of fluid that needs to be drained, but mine has always been dry pleurisy, where the 2 layers of lung lining rub on each other and are inflamed already, no need for them to make it worse by rubbing on each other.
Yes, pleurisy was the main symptom, along with hair loss, that got me diagnosed in the first place. I have been getting pleurisy since I was a little girl, with times in the hospital back then. Since I became an adult, I just dealt with it at home. I have it right now. I often get it with a condition called costochondritis, inflammation of the cartilage of our chest wall. And that pain is so severe that my Dr. says when he got it, he checked himself into the hospital, SURE that he was having a heart attack, but the pain continued for a week, and he needed the strongest pain meds he had ever taken. Either one is really a pain in the chest, but both together are really something unbelievable. Since T cells decide they are going to cause problems in your chest area, they often don't stop with the pleura, they often go on to the cartilage or the lungs themselves, causing pneumonia.
Best wishes, I hope you heal quickly,
Sheila
Ann A,
Gosh our bodies act the same so much of the time. So sorry that you have had to deal with this too. You're brave to call Pleurisy a friend. I call it a pest or even an enemy, like PAINSOMNIA. We meet together MUCH too often. lol.
I know. the word pnuemonia keeps coming up. Am really going to pay attention. Thanks much for the support.
Sheila W. said:
So sorry you have this! With an infection too? OUCH! Well, the pain meds stop the coughing as well, so that's helpful. You didn't mention antibiotics at first, so I'm glad your follow up comment mentioned that you did get antibiotics, since you have a bacterial infection! Sometimes the infection can be in the pleura, and can cause wet pleurisy, or a buildup of fluid that needs to be drained, but mine has always been dry pleurisy, where the 2 layers of lung lining rub on each other and are inflamed already, no need for them to make it worse by rubbing on each other.
Yes, pleurisy was the main symptom, along with hair loss, that got me diagnosed in the first place. I have been getting pleurisy since I was a little girl, with times in the hospital back then. Since I became an adult, I just dealt with it at home. I have it right now. I often get it with a condition called costochondritis, inflammation of the cartilage of our chest wall. And that pain is so severe that my Dr. says when he got it, he checked himself into the hospital, SURE that he was having a heart attack, but the pain continued for a week, and he needed the strongest pain meds he had ever taken. Either one is really a pain in the chest, but both together are really something unbelievable. Since T cells decide they are going to cause problems in your chest area, they often don't stop with the pleura, they often go on to the cartilage or the lungs themselves, causing pneumonia.
Best wishes, I hope you heal quickly,
Sheila
Thanks for the link. I read it and will be paying close attention.
haha I like those words Ann. I make up words too like Painsomnia and frustipation and upcited (half upset, half excited). I saw a post on twitter that I use now. It says "Dear 3 a.m. we must stop meeting like this. I would much rather sleep with you." lol. 3 am. and I meet much too often too.
Ann A. said:
OK Sheila, pleurisy is an old "frenemy." Or a word my between grandkids taught me, my old "frater": a friend who hates on me. LOL
I deal with pleurisy too, my doctor only found it out after he noticed I had a hard time lying flat. It gets so bad at times that if I want to go shopping or am at school I have to use a wheel chair or else I am gasping for air with crushing chest pain. Even on my "good" days it takes forever to get from one place to another with out stopping to catch my breath. Anytime I laugh or cry I have increased pain and shortness of breath. I have found adding a wedge pillow under my mattress gives me enough elevation to sleep at night, and when we are at hotels and such I get extra pillows and put them under the mattress.
Wish you the best of luck! :)
When I listen to all of your struggles with this condition, Pleurisy..... I am just grateful that I have had it as mildly as I do. Right now it is pretty bad but it has gone away in the past. Thanks for your sharing and support
I also had pleurisy when I was first diagnosed in 2005 and did it hurt. It hurt so much I was forced to walk with my back bent to kind of ease the pain (of course it didn't help). Whenever I breathe in, sharp sharp pains were going through my ribs on the right side. I had to keep holding that side every time I breathe deep. I was put on high dose steroids and thank God I've never had it since. I wish you a quick recovery.
Thank you for sharing and the support. This has just brought me down for the moment. Helps to know I am not alone.
Harriette1 said:
I also had pleurisy when I was first diagnosed in 2005 and did it hurt. It hurt so much I was forced to walk with my back bent to kind of ease the pain (of course it didn't help). Whenever I breathe in, sharp sharp pains were going through my ribs on the right side. I had to keep holding that side every time I breathe deep. I was put on high dose steroids and thank God I've never had it since. I wish you a quick recovery.