Pleurisy treatment - is it really necessary

[Galf]

Given my symptoms I would say that I have Pleurisy. Last night I couldn't even sleep because it hurt too much to breathe deply and my side was killing me with each breath (it actually hurts more when I am on that side that hurts; it doesn't hurt as much when I stand up). Sneezing is out of the question. This has been going on for 2 days.

I am a VERY healthy person... Actually, I am training for a marathon and initially thought that I just pulled a muscle. So, no fever, chills, coughing, cold... As far as I can tell no underlying disease, just the pain breathing on that one side.

My question is when, given these condintions, will this go away? How long will it take? Because I don't think a doctor will be able to do anything for me as it seems to have happened spontaniously (and I shy away from medication unless absolutely necessary). And, should I stop running until this goes away?

ps - I'm 33 y/o.

Many thanks!

[iamsunny]

ask your doc about COSTOCHONDRITIS

[National Jewish]

This could be chest wall pain coming from ribs, muscles or intercostal nerves, but your description suggests that it truly is pleurisy.  If so, it could be a sign of bacterial or viral infection.  But the most common cause in a healthy, physically active young person would be a pneumothorax.  This is a leakage of air into the pleural space causing irritation of the pleura and collapse of the lung.  The pleura is a very thin membrane that surrounds the lung.  You should immediately be seen by a doctor, an ER visit if that is the fastest, and have a chest x-ray.