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Posted 10/6/2008 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I assume many of you have had this condition? Dr. told me it is fairly common in Lupus. I have been having pain in my chest when I take a deep breath for a couple of weeks but no wheezing and it is nothing like my asthma attacks. I decided I would sit on it and see if it developed into something. I hate complaining non stop about every single pain as A.) no one wants to hear it B.) makes you look like a hypochondriac C.) there is many times not even an answer to help the pain go away. Dr. knew exactly what it was and after her exam and the whole nine yards of the visit she gave me a 100 mg shot of Steriods in the tush. I have to say they said it felt same as the flu shot I got. Thats BS! I found the tushy shot to actually hurt. How long before it works? Steriods of 100 mg make me wound up and I cant sleep but tonight I am as exhausted as usual. I still feel like crap shakehead . How long before I feel better? How do the shots affect you? Share your experiences?
Posted 10/7/2008 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Chaya,

I have never been given a shot when I go through pleurisy. My doctor has always just put me on a 21pack with some celebrex and pain meds. With all that, I usually start to feel better within 24 hours.
Posted 10/7/2008 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Robin? What does your pleurisy feel like? I have never had this before and I was surprised at the Dr.'s quick response that she thought thats what it was. I am not fond of steriods and she is ULTRA reserved in using them. I still wonder if it could be anything else as I had the shot today and I am still uncomfortable?
Posted 10/7/2008 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
(((((( Chaya ))))))) Did she prescribe oral pred as well? Just so the folks who answer will know. I haven't had pleurisy that was treated . . . and the what I thought was pleurisy was many years ago . . . but the pred shot 'should' start working by tomorrow morning. I hope you get some responses from members who know more about pleurisy. Blessings!
Posted 10/7/2008 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on 7.5-10 mgs for a long time now. I flare each time I drop to 5 mgs. Rosie I want to tell you how much I appreciate you on Healingwell. You always have a kind word . xoxox
Posted 10/7/2008 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
You are SO welcome. HealingWell was/is such a God-send to me. I got so much support here when I really needed it. We all just try to help each other. I'm so glad you feel supported!! Blessings!
Posted 10/7/2008 11:03 AM (GMT 0)
Chaya,

When the pleurisy kicks in, it starts out as a bad cough, and as it progresses my chest starts feeling tighter. By the point it reaches painful, I can hardly breath (no deep breaths possible), coughing hurts like heck, and laying down just isn't possible.

Rosie is right, with that big ole shot you received, you should be feeling better by this morning. If not, you should call your doctor and ask to be seen right away. Pleurisy can be taken care of quickly if prescribed the right meds, of which the doctor should decide. Don't worry about being a hypochondriac, just worry about taking care of yourself.

I hope you feel better real soon, and please keep us updated.
Posted 10/7/2008 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chaya:

I'm sorry to hear that you have pleurisy. I live with chronic pleurisy. When I start up with pleurisy it's difficult to take a deep breath. I can not lay down flat, I feel like I can't breath at all. I usually end up sitting in the recliner or propped up in bed with about 5 pillows.

I find that if I lean forward while sitting on the bed with my legs crosses Indian style I can breath better. I'm usually given a large dose of steroids IV and some pain meds IV too. Usually within 24-36 hrs after getting my steroids I begin to feel better.

I hope that you're feeling better today. I will say there have been times when I've not responded as quickly as I would wish and those are usually the times they admit me to the hospital. I sincerely hope things improve today, if it doesn't I'd give your Rheumy a call and see what she'd recommend.

Also, I saw the post about your daughter and I'm so so sorry to hear that she also has lupus. It's just so hard when our kids are ill. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 10/7/2008 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thans Barb, Robin. I am feeling beter today. I woke up coughing like a nut around 2 am with quite alot of mucus coming up. I assume that shallow breathing probably left my lungs a little sticky, whatever the cause after 30 mins of alot of coughing it subsided and I am breathing fine. I am still very sore and I feel the deep breaths but at least I can take them without feeling like I have a brick on my chest. I had a headache for the last week that I did not mention to the Dr. and low and behold the steriods made the  headache go away!

Robin thanks for the reply. I worry sometimes that I will complain too much and make the Dr. think I am a nut so I tend to wait it out and see what comes of it. Maybe next time I wont wait so long. nono

I am sorry you are feeling so awful Barb. I have no magic words except that you are not alone. My son suffers horribly each day and its tough. hugs

Posted 10/8/2008 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
Chaya,

I'm so glad you are feeling better. smilewinkgrin Thanks for the update.

Take care!

Posted 10/8/2008 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Chaya . . . Glad you started feeling better yesterday. Are you continuing to improve??? Blessings!
Posted 10/8/2008 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
hey there...i have not posted in the lupus forum before, but i am sure i am in lupus limbo.....i have had pluerisy and it was abosolutely terrible....i could not walk without having excruiciating pain in my chest...i had to have my roomate help me up the stairs.....back then i was against any sort of antibiotic therapy so i just drank a gallon of herbal tea for two months....thats how long it lasted two months...i had to quit my job.....

mad
Posted 10/8/2008 7:38 PM (GMT 0)

Glad you came out to say hello Alicat!  turn

Rosie ,It feels better right now than it did before. I have an odd sensation though . It feels heavy like I need to cough and when I do cough it hurts and its a nonproductive cough. I loosin up a little bit of phlem but nothing much and it just feels sore and painful. I can breathe deeply though so I am happy enough with the results. Thanks for checking in! How are you feeling?

Posted 10/8/2008 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
I feel blessed that I don't have to deal with some the issues lots of other members have. So I really feel for all of you when you are flaring. I have v-e-r-y gradually improved my strength and stamina. I've lost 50+ lbs over the last 1.5 years and I can now walk 2-4 miles . . . but I regularly walk a mile with my dogs. So that is a HUGE advancement for me. My pain levels are low and I am sleeping way better than I used to. Thanks for asking. Blessings!
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