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I have pleurisy

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Posted 1/30/2010 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hey All. I went to the ER a couple of weeks ago and was diagnosed with swine flu. I was really happy cause I got over thw flu quickly. Well, I woke up yesterday with extreme pain on my rib cage. It was on my right side and spread to my back rib cage. I was able to get in to see my internist's PA who did a chest x-ray. She consulted with the doc and they diagnosed me with pleurisy which had resulted from the flu. This is the first time I've had pleurisy. The pain is an incredible constant 8 - 9. She gave me a shot of 80mg solumedrol and percocet. Can someone tell me how long pleurisy lasts? Man, it really sux. Love, Butterflake    
Posted 1/30/2010 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Wow Donna, I hardly know what to say. I'm also happy that you recovered from the swine flu quickly, but pleurisy sounds awful. Did they send you home with pain meds? Having never had pleurisy, I'm not much help but I do believe that it usually responds to steroids. When do you go back to the doctor? You certainly can't sit around with pain at 8-9 for any period of time.

Good luck, and I hope you call your rheumy on Monday. Hugs.

Pat
Posted 1/30/2010 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Pat. Yeah, she gave me a script for percocet. It's a great help. Now when taking the percocet, if I stay still, I'm in no pain. Just a bit SOB. If I move (at all) I get the stabbing pain, but it's 6 - 7 with the percocet. You're right that I couldn't take 8 - 9. Thank you so much for the sympathy. It helps me feel so much better Pat. Love ya, Donna
Posted 1/30/2010 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Donna,

I had pleurisy the week I got my diagnosis. It was the thing that finally put me in the hospital and my doctors took me seriously. The pain was unmanageable. 10+ for me. I really thought I was dying. I was in a hysterical mess trying to deal with the pain. I couldn't move either. Moving was like taking sandpaper to my insides!

Mine lasted 3 days. Prednisone took care of it pretty quickly once I was on it. The solumedrol you took should kick it in the pants. I'm sorry you have to deal with this. Take good care, friend!!

Ginny
Posted 1/30/2010 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Donna, that sounds miserable! I pray you feel better soon! (((((hugs))))))
Posted 1/30/2010 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
i have had pleurisy 3 times and along with the meds i say rest rest rest... mine always lasted a few days but the solumedrol shot should kick in fast
Posted 1/31/2010 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Wow! Thanks for the encouragement ladies. I should be over this in no time. Love ya, Butterflake
Posted 1/31/2010 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Donna! Are you feeling better?

The times I had pluerisy, they gave me solu-medrol injections and it would start working withing several hours. I hope between the pain meds and the pred, it has gotten much better. It would ususally last 5 or so days....but not near the pain I had on day 1 and 2!
Posted 1/31/2010 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to say, I hope you are feeling better! It sounds terrible, the pain & I am sending Quick recovery wishes to you!
Posted 2/1/2010 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
I had pleursy for 2 years because no doctor would give me anything to treat it they just said you have pleursy deal with it. I got it again last month and the doctor upped my celebrex and prednisone for a few days and I got over it in about a week. Pleursy sucks.
Posted 2/2/2010 7:36 AM (GMT 0)
(((Donna))),
I hope that pleurisy is going away a bit by now. That stuff is painful...((hugs)). Take care and rest. Keep us updated. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love, Babs
Posted 2/2/2010 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the well wishes ladies.  Babs, Stacie, Amy, Ginny, Pat it's so great to be back on the forum with y'all. My psych has my mental issues in check thank God. I'm seeing my internist tomorow cause I'm still SOB and last night I had terrible chills. I have never ever had a fever since lupus, so I really need to pay attention to my chills and sweats. It's probably "just lupus."smile  I love you guys. Donna
Posted 2/2/2010 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Oy, chills are no fun! I hope the pleurisy is healing and the fever is just a flewk!
Posted 2/5/2010 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All. Thanks for the well wishes. I continued to have pain (only bout a 5), but I've become very short of breath. I've also developed a wierd clicking sensation in my rib cage when I move certain ways. Wednesday my doc took x-rays of my chest and ribs. I also had blood work and an EKG. Everything was clear. I often get short of breath when I flare, so doc thinks I'm also flaring. He put me on a prednisone taper starting at 40mg and said if the pleurisy pain isn't better by feb 9 to call him and I'll get a CT. Love, Butterflake          
Posted 2/5/2010 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Donna,

I had no idea that pleurisy was so painful. I've been reading about it and am surprised that I hadn't studied it before. What I read is that "the two layers of the membrane around the lungs rub against each other like two pieces of sandpaper, producing the pain of pleurisy when you inhale and exhale." No wonder. I sure hope the prednisone taper helps you Donna.

And I'm so happy to hear you say that your depression has lifted. You must have a good psych. Good for you for getting help.

Keep us updated.

Pat
Posted 2/5/2010 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
OH goodness! Donna, I sure hope you get this under control soon. Sorry you have had to deal with it for so long.

Its great to see you back on the boards :)! I know I have missed you!!!
Posted 2/6/2010 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
(((Donna))),
I'm sorry to hear you are still dealing with pleurisy sweetie. I hope it clears up soon so you can breathe better. Hang in there and keep us updated. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love, Babs
Posted 2/6/2010 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
(((( Donna ))))) yes it looks like we're in the same boat, must be something in the GA air ;) I do hope the pred gets it under control! Love ya
Posted 2/6/2010 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Stacie I was thinking the same thing! Sounds like 3 or 4 of us have pleurisy. Today (day 3 of 40mg pred) the pleurisy pain is gone, thank God! No chills either. I know the SOB from the flare will lift eventually. Babs and Amy, thanks so much for posting wink  

Pat, I appreciate the warm fuzzy for me getting (extra) psych help. I usually see a nurse practioner at my psychiatrist office. She was the one who pushed me to see the psychiatrist, but that was going out of my comfort zone which made me freak. He's one of the top psychs in ATL. I've been going to his office for 6 years, but only had 2 appointments with him in all that time. I was happy with the nurse, but I have to say the doc was great and knew just the right combination of drugs I needed to get that serotonin, norepinephrine balance. He also hooked me up with a therapist in his office I really like. I tried 2 others, but they didn't take. I still have issues regarding the high profile life I had before lupus and now, well, you know. I think everyone who's in the grips of depression should see a health care professional. (Just a little nudge for those who haven't) Love Y'all Donna 

Posted 2/6/2010 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
I have had it one time... and that was enough for me... It lasted 6 weeks... I hope I never get it again...
Posted 2/7/2010 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Weleetka that must have been ab****ely horrible. I'm so sorry to hear that and yes, I hope you never get it again. Love, Donna
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