Hey, I am so happy to have found this site as I think it’s just what I have been looking for.
I really hope it is ok to post this on here, if not then apologies.
I am going through this right now. 7 weeks ago i suddenly became unwell. Well more unwell than usual, I have asthma, diabetes, chronic pain, spinal issues, nerve damage and arthritis).
I had a fever and the worst stabbing pain every time I took a breath in. It was stabbing through my chest and into my shoulder.
I saw my GP on the Friday and he gave me a course of antibiotics, by Monday it had gotten so bad that an ambulance was called and I was admitted into hospital.
I was told that here in the uk they look for inflammatory markers in a blood test. These range between 1-150, with 150 being the worst pneumonia can get...mine was 148.
I was immediately put onto oxygen, a fluid drip because I was also dehydrated From not being able to eat or drink, and I.V. Antibiotics.
I had numerous tests and it was discovered that there was some fluid around my left lung.
By the the Friday things weren’t improving. I was now on 2 different antibiotics and oramorph every 4 hours. The doctor came and said they wanted to put a needle in my back to remove some of the fluid to see if it poison.
It was, not only that but an ultrasound had show that the poison was in pockets that had been created by poison solidifying.
I was transferred to a larger hospital that has a specialist lung and cardiac wing and is one of the uk lead hospitals in this field.
I got to the hospital, was admitted and then within a few hours I was in surgery. I woke up in intensive care, I spent a few days in there. I had 2 drains inserted. When the surgeon came around I was told that they were unable to do it by keyhole and had to do a Thoracotomy. I have a huge scar around from my side and around my back (around 8 inches). I was told that my lung was covered and was collapsing, and they removed over 2 litres of poison out of my left cavity.
I spent another week in hospital on oxygen, lots of oramorph and with 2 drains in, then a week at home with the last drain and lots of oramorph.
I’m having quite bad pain where the incisions were made, especially where my lat muscle was sliced. I also have developed this neuralgia (which seriously hurts) on the front of my left chest.
I have very little energy, I was told at hospital that my breathing was around 50%. I’m was given a walking stick to help with my mobility due to my breathlessness, going light headed and already ongoing mobility issues.
Can I ask some questions please?
*How long did it take until you weren’t so exhausted from even the smallest task?
*When did you return to work?
*How much did your breathing return to normal and after how long?
*Were people around you understanding?
*I have developed this kind of every now and the it’s like I am trying to catch my breath, did anyone else have any strange things develop?
*Did anyone else get the painful neuralgia and did it clear up?
*How long was your ribs, scar and drainage scars sore for afterwards?
*I was told that I was a very lucky man, had I not got to the emergency room when I did I might not have made it. I didn’t realise it was such a serious condition or combination of conditions. I was also made aware that I am not in clear just yet but I don’t know what that means, I did a bit of research that said that there is a mortality rate of 20% of patients with other health conditions who have had an empyema and pneumonia. Does anyone else know about this?
Thanks you so much for letting me share my story, again I am super sorry if I’m posting things to the wrong place. I’ve only just joined.
I look forward to reading your replies.
Have a great day xx