a couple of questions about pneumonia...

[meg321]

I have " wanted to put me in the hospital" type pneumonia, but I wanted to stay home so my Dr put me on predisone, Levequin, nebulizer 4 times a day and i am using my hubby's oxygen...its been a little over a week and I am a bit better.  I am so tired, fatigued, exhausted..all I have to do is get up or even talk on the phone and i am weak.

It is complicated by copd and asthma ..my pulmonolgist has not seen me yet and it seems all they are interested in is my sleep apnea..I called them a few times questioning my breathing and then called and told them about the pneumonia, they said nothing really.   What is it with pulmonologist's, that is what I originally was my breathing.   This is my third go-around with them and i just don't get it..

Just wondering if anyone else has had pneumonia and how long it could last.  

thanks, meg

[meg321]

Hi, I am back home now.  and I can breathe again, thank God !  still not all well though.
I just wannted to tell you what is causing my pneumonia..its the swallowing issue, called Dysphagia.  My food goes into my lungs instead of the stomach  and cases infections.

If I am not mistaken, that is part of the MS.

This has happened to me before..my new Dr doesnt listen to me ...I did go to my old Dr who has been taking care of me throughout this.   My new or current Dr would give me antibiotics..that was it.

Anyway, i am trying to take care of myself....

hugs, meg

[Lulu54]

meg, I am just now reading this thread and am so happy that I don't have to urge you to go to the hospital.  You are exactly where you need to be - I know that's rough but be a good patient, let them do their tests and treatments and focus on getting better.  We're here to listen to you if you need us.

hugs,
L

[essdipity]

Hang in there, Meg, and get well. We're all pulling for you.

Hugs,
ess

[meg321]

Hi, i am in the hosp, the Dr had me come in last night.  My lungs are better but I am not, he is checking my heart and is in touch with my`cardiologist.

Afteri had some to process all of this...I had the same problem a couple of years ago when they discovered the mitral valve problem,,

bye

[Sarahsmom46]

There are certain types of pneumonia you can treat at home with medical supervision, but it sounds like you are not kicking this.  When you get in touch with the doctor, ask if he/she can get you directly admitted into the hospital rather than go through the ER.  The hospital is where you sound like you need to be right now.  Pneumonia is not joke.  

Take good care and hope you and your doctor come to a decision on the next step.  

[meg321]

Thanks everyone, I have a call in to my Dr. now...this has me worried I mostly take care of myself at home too..my husband is a lousy caretaker, he just doesn't get it..

Will keep you posted.

hugs, meg

[MissLauraI]

I had it during Christmas a few years back. I was sick for over a month. At the worst I couldn't lift my head from the pillow from weakness. My dr. put me on antibiotics and absolute bed rest for a week. She said if the pneumonia was viral, antibiotics would not help. If it was bacterial, they would. I don't ever remember being so sick.

After that I kept getting viruses for several years for weeks at a time, several times a year, and lasting for weeks to months. So I would say whatever you can do to get well, do it. I am undx for MS so I am not on any meds for it either.

Please take very good care of yourself!

[essdipity]

I guess I had bacterial pneumonia back in '95. Was in the hosp nearly a week, starting with a temp of 104.

Could get no sleep at all. When it wasn't respiratory techs making me breathe into bubbles and tubes, it was x-ray techs taking me to get my lungs imaged.

Still, I needed to be there, which is why I hope Meg will relent and go.

ess

[Sumanadevii]

Yes, the shot is only used for protection against bacterial infections.  However, the bacterial type of pneumonia is the more serious one...the one that causes hospitalization and death.  This is why my pulmonolgist insists on it.

Again, my experience only and from the mouth of my own personal doctor.

[COBOB]

Pneumonitis with COPD and Asthma is a bad combination.  All three and effect you ability to get the Oxygen you need and COPD and Asthma can cause retention of CO2 that can reduce your respiratory drive.  

One of the big dangers is that too much Oxygen flow can actually put Asthma and COPD patients into respiratory arrest.   Keep in mind, it is not lack of Oxygen that causes us to breath, but the build up of CO2.  COPD and asthma and mess with this mechanism.  This is the main reason doctors usually like to manage these patients in the hospital where they have access to information like blood gas data.  O2 Saturation from a pulse oximeter is nice, but arterial pH, pCO2 and pO2 are pretty critical in managing  Pneumonitis with COPD and Asthma.

Keep following up with your doctors, and if there is any question that you might be getting worse, I would head to the emergency room.  

Hope you feel better.

Bob

[essdipity]

I don't know about that shot, but there is a widely-given vaccination for people 65 and over. I know, because I had it 2 years ago :-}  My doctor, whom I've been seeing for quite a few years, questioned me when I asked for it, not realizing I'm that old. That made me feel good  :-}  again.

This shot could be good for bacterial pneumonia and and not viral, I think. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Whatever it is, it's a one-shot deal (hah!) and not given periodically.

ess

[Sumanadevii]

Just wanted to add...After I had pneumonia I was given a shot.  Now this was in the 80's...The doctor told me at that time it was protection for ten years.  My pulmonolgist told me that is no longer true.  It is given EVERY year now for protection.  I'm not sure if you are aware of it...Just wanted to share.

Still thinking of you...

Sumana

[mom98]

Hi, Meg!
Pneumonia in someone with underlying respiratory disease is more complicated and best handled in the hospital. The course of treatment would be IV antibiotics and fluids. This is actually the "best practice" that is recommended for treatment of pneumonia. The steroid is probably more for your COPD then the pneumonia itself as your breathing is probably worse. In hospital they would have started you on IV steroids and then tapered you to the oral dose. most people stay in the hospital only a few days with moderate pneumonia. With the added respiratory problems maybe you would have stayed in another day or two. Depending on your respiratory status prior to the pneumonia could be  2-4 weeks. But it important that you get the proper treatment.
Oral antibiotics are a good option for people with mild pneumonia or walking pneumonia not "you should be in the hospital" kind. Proper treatment can ensure a better outcome. Doctors aren't putting people in the hospital anymore without justification. So if your doctor recommended it, you might want to reconsider.
I wish you the best and hope everything turns out well. Good luck!
Shannon

[essdipity]

Hi, Meg. Just sending hugs and support. I think you should listen to your doctors, even if you find them exasperating.

Pneumonia is nothing to fool with. I know, I've been there, and I was a lot healthier than you are now.

Please take care,
ess

[Sumanadevii]

I had pneumonia when I was a very young mother.  I was so sick I missed a week of my life in the hospital.  I don't remember my sister that flew in from Atlanta to be with me or crying when she left me.  I don't remember my husband or sons being there.  The fever was so high!  I only remember the horrible headache!  

It was Thanksgiving time.  When I left the hospital (after a full week) the doctor told me I wasn't to leave the house for any reason...not to take kids to school, not to run to the store...HOME only until after the first of the year.  

I went home and was still so sick that I didn't get off the couch for a week or two.  My husband hired a housekeeper that came..took one look at the mess my then four sons had made and said no...lol....I begged her.  BEGGED and she gave in.  She helped me through the month of December.  In January I began to feel better but still worn.  I needed naps which I had never taken.  By February I was just getting my strength back.

Now consider, I did not have MS at the time.  I was young and healthy.  Errrrrr...see where I am going with this?  You are probably in for the long haul.  Stay rested.  Don't expect to pop back up like it is a common cold.

Sending strength to you...

Sumana

[twopack]

Meg, in my opinion if they want you in the hospital to treat this pneumonia then that is where you shoud be.  There are too many things that can't be monitored well from home.  One thing is the amount of oxygen  you need get enough good air to your body without shutting down your brain's trigger to breathe.  It's a hard thing to balance when you have COPD as well as pneumonia and could be why they are asking about the sleep apnea thing.

I am surprised they are giving you steroids while you have an infection.  Prednisone is good at decreasing inflammation but does nothing to fight infection and can even make it worse.

It takes quite a while to get back to your baseline with pneumonia.  Fatigue and difficulty getting enough air to talk or walk short distances are signs your blood isn't carrying enough oxygen to the tissues.  

All of us prefer home to hospital but there are times we need what only inpatient care can provide.  I'd encourage you to take on the doc's recommendation and be admitted so they can do regular, accurate hands-on evaluations and offer treatment not available at home.  I bet you'd get better quicker.

Mary