Chest Tightness

[birdie56]

Hi,
Recently I had a bad run of Pneumonia (Penicilin resistant Strep Pneumoniae). I was so sick that I had to call an ambulance and was admitted in the hospital for a week. I had blood in my sputum.

It has been always five weeks since I was discharged from hospital now and since then I have developed chest tightness in the central region each time I take a deep breath.  I also notice that I now feel tire easily and can't do any strenous work as my chest area feel kind of tight and tender.

The latest x-ray results (two days ago) showed nothing and the nurse told me that my lungs are all clear.

But right now as I write, I feel something not normal with my chest as it feels tight. What is wrong with me?




This discussion is related to chronic cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath.

[birdie56]

Thanks for the prompt comments.
I spoke with my doctor on a number of occasions when I saw him to tell him that I have tightness in the chest. He wasn't sure what it was. . yesterday i called up his clinic and the x-ray results was there. i spoke with his nurse who relayed the report to me saying that the x-ray was all clear and there was nothing to suggest anything wrong.  i will see my doctor again next week.

as with regard the exercises you talked about, what happens if it cause some pain? presumbly i will stop immediately but am i supposed to feel some stretch or tension?

[askingyou]

Glad to hear Birdie, that you pulled throught the illness.  Pnuemonia is not like having a cold, that comes and goes.  As if I'm sure you already know this.  When they did the xrays, did you mention to them about the tightness of the chest?  If they say everything is A Okay. then it could merely be a tightness of the muscles in the chest cavity.
Your best remedy is to exercise your chest cavity.  Pulling your shoulders back . As far back as you can reach them.  Or standing with your back against a pole and wrapping your arms around the pole behind you. Stretching your arms up. And pushing your elbows back as far behind your  back.
Normally after a bout of Pnuemonia, it can take several months to gain your strength back again.  Making sure you eat well and taking some extra supplements will help too.
Besides all that.,
If you feel that something isn't right, then you should check back with the doctors and let them know this.