Has anyone ever had pleurisy?

[smirkymonkey]

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]

1. I've read online descriptions of symptoms and been very sure of the worst many times.

Thankfully I was wrong.

Best luck!

[smirkymonkey]

5. Thank you!

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]

2. Get it looked at.

Seriously...

[smirkymonkey]

6. Ok, I probably should.

Do you know anything that makes you say that?

[MythosMaster]

17. yes...

go see a specialist. not trying to alarm you.

I am not a doctor, but go.

[SCantiGOP]

3. First time I ever went to a hospital

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]

7. LOL! You are probably right. It could be serious.

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]

4. I have had it----related to blood clotting issues.

You should get this checked out asap.

[smirkymonkey]

8. Thanks blue neen!

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]

9. Oh, man, yeah - it's just miserable.

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]

11. Yes, that is exactly how it feels!

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]

10. Yes, had it about 20 years ago. Diagnosed via xrays. It was very

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]

12. Yes, it feels like I broke a rib, but the doctor told me last time I saw her that

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]

13. My Mother is actually suffering from this right now.

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]

15. Thank you! Ibuprofen and external pain patches are helping, but it is probably something

that should be looked into. Thank you for your advice and well wishes!

[rurallib]

14. Well, yes I did but it was 60 years ago

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]

16. Yes, it's a very sharp pain and it even hurts to breathe. I have been taking

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]

18. I had it also about 40 yrs ago

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]

19. It's awful. Whenever you take a breath you get jabbed with an icepick.

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]

20. I know I say this too often, but I'd go have it checked out.

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]

21. Yes, thank you! I am going in on Monday.

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!