Are these signs of pneumonia or something else?!
Question: Are these signs of pneumonia or something else.?
I'm asthmatic and was sent to the hospital last week . During the attack, it felt like my lower right side and upper chest were SQUEEZING so tight, not giving me relief. Been treated with nebs, cortisone shot, prednisone, and just started an antibiotic. Been VERY weak, sore and achy the past week. It's lessened but whenever I'm up and about, the fatigue comes back.
After numerous doctor visits, the doctor said she didn't like the sound of my lower lungs so she sent me for a chest xray. I have been experiencing a dull pain on my lower right side / back that comes and goes. No cough or fever. Just chest soreness, aches and extreme fatigue.
Would these be signs of pneumonia or something else.?Health Question & Answer
After numerous doctor visits, the doctor said she didn't like the sound of my lower lungs so she sent me for a chest xray. I have been experiencing a dull pain on my lower right side / back that comes and goes. No cough or fever. Just chest soreness, aches and extreme fatigue.
Would these be signs of pneumonia or something else.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Yes, you could have pneumonia {fluid on the lung} or several other things like an area of collapsed lung maybe even a blood clot [pulmonary embolism] in your lung. The x-ray will likely be very helpful in identifying what is going on. Be sure to call your doctors office for the report. Call back if they do not get back to you. Be reasonable but firm telling them you are still having very worrisome breathing symptoms. Don't hesitate to be proactive in your health care. Think about and write down your symptoms with date and time and length symptoms last. If anything triggered the symptoms like walking or getting up , eating, lying down or anything you notice. As you know most people with breathing problems are much more comfortable sitting up and feel like they are short of breath or smothering when lying down flat.... often sleeping or spending lots of time in a recliner. Be sure you tell your doctor how much this is effecting your activities. You can't walk as much as normal,if your appitite is affected or you are too tired to eat much then you may get run down more and get weaker. Eat several small meals a day with snacks like an apple. Are you sleeping much more.? How much exercise are you getting.? This is very important as we often can't do much. Too much inactivity increases risk of blood clots usually in the calves of the legs but they can move to other parts of the body which is serious. Are you lower legs swelling.? If you are lying down a lot you can collect fluid in the dependant or lowest part of you body like all along the side of your body you are lying on. This can put pressure on your heart and lungs. Change positions often to avoid this. List all the symptoms you have so the doctor will understand how sick you are. A good history helps the doctor a lot to know how best to take care of you. Review with the doctor all the things you have tried, how long these symptoms have lasted and relate this to how you feel now....50% better, not much better, worse. .? You must be proactive and firm in asking what you can do to get better and ask what is going on or what the diagnosis is.? Be sure you are clear on the plan of care so you can follow instructions to get better. Always have someone to listen with you, helps you remember more especially when you are exausted and sick. Health Question & Answer