So I was not feeling well and went to the ER last Saturday. She said I have pneumonia,sinus infecton and flu!!! And they put me on Zpack. They told me to see my regular doc on Mon. or Tues. On Tues. went to my doc and I am not feeling much better. Constantly coughing up orange phlegm. Gross. Wicked headache and body aching. He took me off that Zpack and put me on 10 day 2x a dayCefdinir 300MG. Head ache is mostly gone and not as bad in the pain department but my jaws still hurt badly!
So here it is on Sunday 1 week and 1 day later and still feel like crap. I did go back into my doc.s' office on Thursday and told them I wanted blood work done to determine if it is bacterial or viral. I asked in the ER for blood work and the first time in doc's office. Now I am telling them I am here for blood work. GOOD GRIEF!!! SO now I wait. Anyone here delt with pneumonia. Please share what went on.

I am so sorry you have pneumonia. I have had it and I was sick for three or four weeks and was as weak as a kitten for about two months. They had to change my antibiotics twice. It's been awhile so I don't remember the names of them. I remember the weakness the most and the pain in my lungs. I also have asthma so I was doing breathing treatments every two hours day and night. I was on prednisone, a steroid, and it made me crazy. I have to take it when my asthma gets bad, I am on it now. Yuck. Good luck and I hope you fully recover quickly.

Did you cough up gunk constantly! Orange icky stuff. I mowed a neighbors yard yesterday and I had never done that before. For a week I have been in the house, and I thought the fresh air would loosen the crap in my lungs but I don't feel any different. Goodness I am so surprised to hear I have this!!!! :shock:
Thanks so much for your kind words...I just wanna feel better! Glad you are doing well now!!!

It feels as though the gunk is coming from my sinuses not my lungs.HMMM

I've had it once, a couple of years ago. Antibiotics soon cleared it up but it did take a while before I was completely well again. I went to the doctor early enough that I didn't need hospitilization, thankfully.

I fortunately have never had pneumonia. I work in healthcare, though, and I don't think it would be out line to ask for a sputum culture to ensure your antibiotic is going to kill what is causing your pneumonia.

Hope you feel lots better soon! Drink lots of fluids. Have you tried Mucinex? I use it when I have sinus infections and I think it would help move that junk out of your lungs faster, too. But I'm not an MD! Maybe ask if there is something else that can help your symptoms.

I am sorry you are sick. I have had pneumonia and was out of work 3 weeks. I was on antibiotics for two of the weeks. I did not start feeling at all like myself until the 3rd week. I went back to work part-time the 4th week per my doctor's orders. He told me don't go in before 8:30, work 4 hours, then go home and sleep. He was right, working just 4 hours tired my out. Pneumonia takes a lot of you strength away. It is not a simple cold or flu, but worse, lasts longer and really saps your strenght and body reserves. I am surprised I wasn't put in the hospital because I have diabetes as well. Anyway, sleep as much as you can, drink fluids as much as you can, (I know, I found it hard to drink fluids while I was sleeping, too) and do not try to do too much too soon or you will have a relapse. My doctor's nurse told me that pneumonia in a diabetic is nothing to fool with, and I found out it wasn't. I did go back to full time work the 5th week, but I went to bed early every night. It was a good 8 weeks on all before I felt like myself again. Please take care of yourself. Try to eat hightly nutricious foods to help keep your strength up. I did not feel like eating, but being a diabetic, I had to have food in me 3 times a day. It was a struggle, sometimes just ate vegatable soup. I made sure I took my multivitamin and gave myself permission to do what I had to do to get better. I was of no use to anyone if I got sick from a relapse. I hope you get better soon! You will get through this. Be really good to yourself!

I have had it a few times and other lung infections. I know what you are going thru. BE PATIENT. The best thing you can do for yourself is REST, REST REST!!! and drink lots of fluids, they help bring up the gunk. Medicines help this is something that can not be hurried.

My PA brought up a sputum sample idea and he POO-POOED it too. That's why I went back 2 days later to ask for blood work. I am tempted to go back to ER but I have not gotten any where as of yet. Just don't know what to do!

I had pneumonia a very long time ago. It did take weeks to begin feeling better. Shame on the dr's off for not doing blood work as a routine check. Same for the ER. I now insist on test being done if I think it will easy my mind. How do they know by just looking what is wrong? Did they do chest X-rays to confirm? Just take is easy, take your antibiotics, stay warm, (know Ak has been wet and cool this year)(been there done that for 54 years) drink plenty of fluids. Keep us posted on your health recovery.
Mamahen (former AK resident)

Oh I know how you feel...had the same thing a few months back...after 2 trips to the ER and one to the dr...I finally got over it after about a month. Mucinex helped alot and I also took 1000 mgs of antibiotic a day for 14 days, used an inhaler and had pain medication for the pain in my jaws and head. That was the most awful stuff I ever had. Was in bed for about 2 weeks. Rest alot, drink alot!
Hope you feel better soon.

Yes a couple of times. The last being last year just in time for my son's college graduation. I was so very sick, I could not help dh with the driving from Massachusetts to Ohio. After a day on the zpc the fever was gone but so very weak. It took a good month to feel better. Pneumonia really zaps your strength and energy for a while.

Hope you feel better soon!

Since I am a stage 3 Thyroid cancer patient (clean again as of June 4 2010) They took x-rays in Texas when I was there so I asked NOT to have x-rays done. But begged for BLOOD work. Thursday I INSISTED. I am so frustrated!!!! The results were supposed to be back on Friday, not back, so then it was Saturday and after me & Dh calling them for results on Friday they said they would call us went results come in. YOU guessed it NO phone call on Saturday :thumbdown:

Have they done a follow up x-ray? Did they do one in the 1st place? How about sending you to a pulmonary doc? Hacking up orange stuff still? You have to give the antibiotics a chance to work, but I would think you'd be doing better a week later. I had pnemonia many years ago, I just remember not being able to walk 10 steps without sitting down to catch my breath..it was awful. But I was completely recovered and back to work in 2 weeks. I'm no expert, but if you have questions, you should get answers from your doctor, and if you don't feel you're getting satisfactory care, keep asking questions and insist on better care. As much as we'd like to trust our healthcare professionals to do what they should, we need to educate ourselves enough to know when they're not! Ultimately, our health is our responsibility. Hang in there, get a bunch of rest and get better.

Mary

On my trip to Texas for a Thyroid cancer check up I had a chest x-ray. So 1 month later I chose not to have another x-ray in ER or by my PA. They both made their diagnosis by listenting to my lungs. The doc's here in Alaska are not the best. I learned that going through thyroid cancer. THEY nearly killed me here. SO 2x yearly I fly to Texas. I just feel like crap and hacking up crap is gross!!! I am flushing my sinuses and taking vitamin c 9,000 mg. :-D

Yes, I have almost 3yrs. ago. I was put on two different rounds of the Z-pack! I had breathing treatments at the doctor's office and went thru several inhalers. I felt like CRAP and had phlegm discharge for three months(if I remember correctly) and didn't really feel good for almost six months. It took me that long to get my energy level back to where it was before. I remember being in bed for almost 2 1/2 weeks before feeling somewhat better. Don't overdo it and listen to your body, it will tell you when to take it easy. Luckily I don't work and could take the extra time to rest. I went on a cruise with my best friend four weeks(it was already planned) after being diagnosed with pneumonia. I had to take my inhaler with me and really use it after waking up in the morning to get all the phlegm up. I was tired, but I WAS GOING ON THIS CRUISE. My best friend was stage4 with Breast Cancer and I knew this was the last time I'd see her. She passed away just three weeks after our cruise. I have soooooooo many good memories. My doctor worked really hard to get me feeling better because they knew what I had planned. Good luck & take care of yourself!!!! Mucinex does HELP along with antibiotics & pain meds!!

Been a while since I have had pneumonia, but in the spring I had sinus infection and bronchitis, the precursor to pneumonia, I was on antibiotics and cough syrup with codeine; still coughed for at least a month. I think the sinus infection is the worst for me; can't stand the headache and the pains in the face. Hot compresses do help and nice hot baths with lavender bubbles. All I can say is REST REST REST!!! Don't try to overdo.

i had it forty years ago! i'm sure it's gotten more dangerous in the decades since. so sorry. i do hope you get better soon.

In Feb. I went from sinus infection to acute bronchitis and pneumonia. I was in the hospital for three days getting breathing treatments, IV's and antibiotics. My oxygen level was real low, blood pressure real high. I was terribly weak, actually sicker than I thought. You know, "it's a cold, it takes time to run it's course". At the hospital they called in a pulmonary doctor. It took me almost six weeks to feel normal. I was on oxygen and inhalers for a month at home. Don't mess around , orange gunk sounds like it could have blood in it. ER again!!

Ok my Dh just brought home Mucinex 12 hour. Goodness I hope this does something good!

Good and bad doctors can be found everywhere. I live in TX and have fired my share (yes, I call them and fire them in person. They should know WHY they lose a patient.) One of the best tools in getting good healthcare is research. There are very good medical sites to get better information than you will find with most of us. Anecdotal information might be well intended but really not that useful in the long run. (Doctors tend to listen more when you state "The Journal of New England Medicine..." vs. "a person on my quilting board..." It just doesn't have the same oomph.)

When pneumonia shows up at our house, we push lots and lots of fluids. It has taken as long as 4 months to completely clear (viral). Rest a lot and build up your reserves. Hope you feel better.

Hope you feel better soon!!!

I was hospitalized for two weeks with pneumonia and bronchitis it was horrible. The stuff I was coughing up was disgusting!!!!!

I had pneumonia three times in 18 months. I just never could get past it. I was so weak I was barely walking, and spent at least two weeks completely on bed rest. My dr. was on the edge of admitting me. I had the added adventure of being allergic to antibiotics, and went through four kinds in two weeks. Dr. said the pneumonia was going OK but the meds were killing me. ;-)

It's nothing to mess around with, that's for sure. I second the REST REST REST advice. That, and as much fluid as you can get in you is the best home care that you can do. I used a warm steam vaporizer to help keep the phlegm moving, as well as a prescription "expectorant. I feel your pain, and hope that you get some relief soon. Don't be surprised if it takes several weeks to get back to your old self though. It really zaps you.

My late husband had it three times. He had to take strong antibiotics and prednisone, as well as his regular inahalants. You might want to discuss a pneumonia shot with your doctor because you will now be more prone to get pneumonia again. They will be able to tell you if you should or should not after having thyroid cancer. It takes a lot of rest and fluids as previously mentioned, and you cannot hurry the recovery.

Pneumonia is the pits----the meds will make you get better, but it takes time, rest, and fluids as well. Why in heavens name were you mowing a neighbors yard? You should not be doint anything strenuous at all. That in itself could have caused a set back---you made your body work hard and it needs all the strength to fight the infection. Be very careful---you could wind up in the hospital My prayers are with you.

Yes I have had it & it was terrible!!! Just awful. Do NOT mow or work outdoors until you are well. You need rest my dear. REST, liquids and rest some more. Hopefully you will hear from the Dr tomorrow. Keep calling him for results. If you do not get better soon, I would hit the ER again. Please be careful. This is nothing to play around with.

{{{{{HUGE HUGS}}}}}

I never have but DD had it a few years ago, her first year of college. Poor thing was so sick!
I hope you feel better soon!

Never had it just bronchitis when I was pregnant 35 years ago.
So sorry you are sick. Call Dr. first thing in the morning.

Your in my prayers.

Yes I have and it is horrible :cry: Took forever to get my strength back and I was in my 30's at the time . Sleep, rest, sleep , rest
and for PETES SAKES no more cutting the grass :shock:

Coughing up is good , it means you are getting the stuff up and out , which is what you need :thumbup:

And be sure and ask about the shot I was told since I had it once was a better candidate to get it again .

keep us posted

So sorry you are sick Alaska Sunshine! I had it at the first of this year and made three trips to the doctor and three different rounds of antibiotic to clear it up. Hang in there!

Vanessa

I had it in high school. I had not missed one day of school, and I spent a week in the hospital, and then several days after at home. I coughed up tons of yucky stuff,, and that lasted for a long time. I also have asthma, and I was not able to catch my breath easily for weeks. Take the other women's advice, and take it slow and easy. You also might ask your doctor about a cool mist vaporizer to loosen up the phlegm. It is so gross!!

Ok my doctors off said it is not bacterial pneumonia, so I am guessing viral? Thanks for all your input and information! I am resting, and drinking lots of water!. My chest is definatly feeling heavier and my face (jaw) hurt less, but still a bit painful. And of course still coughing up lots of "gunk"Headache still and sore back too. I am so surprised at how long this is lasting. Also taking Micinex as suggested.

So today I did get a chest x-ray. And it is very good. Just dealing with pneumonia and sinus junk! I am so glad I had one, it relieves my mind. Chest is tight. Thanks so much for your kind words. I have listened and continue to listen. :-D

Good for you. Viral pneumonia is the pits. Fluids, rest and more rest. I understand the jaw, ribs, etc. hurting from all the coughing. You might try the hot shower therapy (we use it for really bad asthma days). You essentially turn your bathroom into a steamroom. Turn on the shower (hot water only), close bathroom door and let the shower steam up the place. It might help a little but it's hard on wallpaper. :-)