I have what is apparently an unusually bad case of pleurisy. It’s an inflamation of the lining of the lungs that causes friction and lots of PAIN when I breathe, cough, sneeze, move… since Jan 7, I have had 4 Drs appts, a visit to the ER, and as of today, 16 prescriptions. It’s just not getting any better. I can’t get comfortable enough to get a decent night’s sleep, so I’m exhausted on top of everything else (although I do find that I sleep better in the recliner, so I’ve started sleeping there). I have been literally driven to tears by the pain when I cough, and I have a pretty high pain threshold. I just want to feel better.
Sounds awful. I periodically get a sharp stab of pain in a lung where it is extremely painful if I inhale. They are common, I think. Except they last for around 10 seconds. Sounds like you have had about 3 weeks of this. Which would drive me to the brink of madness, and then over the brink. Where’s the morphine pump?
I’m the supervising attorney in a Public Defenders office- I’ve taken several days off, but today my Dr said he wants me to take another WEEK, which I just can’t do. Unless I can convince a bunch of people not to get arrested for a week. Happily, the judges have been very cool about it, and teh other attorneys in the office are going above and beyond. I am going to have to buy them all lunch or something when I get better.
Maybe it just seems worse because I never get sick. I get a cold every couple of years or so, but this is truly awful.
You have my sympathy, for what it’s worth. I’ve had two mild bouts of pleurisy, both cleared up in a couple days after taking Prednisone. It’s a truly miserable affliction, even the mild variety.
YUCK! You have my utmost sympathy. I had pleurisy 4 years ago (along with a horrible bout of pneumonia) and I still say it’s the most painful thing I’ve ever endured. Felt like having a chest full of hot coals. I hope you are better soon!
I had a wicked cough several years ago wherein I pulled a chest-wall muscle (I didn’t know this til someone told me) and that alone had me in a fetal position every single time I had to cough. Straining and tightening every muscle I had just to reduce the chest-stabbing agony. I bartend and I was crouching in corners and hoping nobody saw me crying in-between serving drinks.
My boss said “You may have pleurisy!” and I thought “I’m in so much pain that he’s probably right!”
He was wrong. I had “merely” pulled a muscle. (The one right below and behind your boobs. The pharmacist told me to treat it with heat and ice, just like any other pulled muscle. Um…I’m sorry. There’s a boob in the way! Owwww!)
I can only imagine what actual pleurisy is like. Jesus. It may not alleviate the pain but you have earned my most heartfelt sympathy. Here’s to getting well very-freakin’-soon Katie!