Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

pneumonia won't go away

Doctors "accidentally" discovered I had pneumonia when I went to the ER for a gall bladder attack in May.  They heard rales.  I had an elevated D-dimer but all other labs were ok so had CT scan which showed rll pneumonia.  I had not symptoms at all.  No fever, no cough, no abnormal labs (except the elevated d-dimer).  I had a zpack and then another CT scan after 2 weeks.  The pneumonia was still there and then there was also a small nodule.  Then in June I started having expiratory rales that I could hear and more shortness of breath on exertion.  I was given Pro Air and another zpack.  Had another CT scan at end of July.  Pulmonologist said pneumonia is STILL there but he thinks it is "not quite as dense" as before.  Said it was progressing slowly but... If he didn't think it was better at all he would do a bronchoscopy but since "a little less dense" he wants to wait LONGER.  I have yet another CT scan scheduled for August 31.  At what point should I be concerned or get a second opinion?  I am not sick but the inspiratory rales are still there when listening with a stethescope.  I have expiratory rales are very noticable without one and shortness of breath on exertion and I didn't have any symptoms in May.  I never even had a cold so I had no idea about the pneumonia... I am a healthy female with no other health problems.  Please help.


This discussion is related to Pneumonia that won't go away.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Right lower lobe recurrent/persistent pneumonia can sometimes be a red flag for an aspiration type pneumonia. Any chance that you have any kind of swallowing problem or had an instance of inhaling food? Our lungs and bronchi are asymmetrical as the heart is on the left side of our chest. The result of this is that when food and/or liquid goes down your airway, it tends to fall to the RLL. Recurrent pneumonia is commonly seen in folks with swallowing problems (i.e, dysphagia). However, dysphagia is definitely not the only reason that one could experience recurrent pneumonia.

In an otherwise healthy 44 year old women, it is not common to see swallowing problems. Depending on one's medical history, there are a variety of reasons one could get dysphagia including: trauma to the head and neck region d/t surgery, accident, intubation,  various neurological diseases and at times, something as benign as acid reflux.

If you are noticing some occasional difficulty with swallowing (i.e., more than 1x/wk coughing/choking on food) it would be worthwhile to bring this up with your doctor.

Source: I am a licensed speech-language pathologist at a hospital and treat people with swallowing problems.
Helpful - 0
180749 tn?1443595232
Do this pranayam for 30 minutes,daily, twice a day. You will notice the benefit in a few weeks, and then you will not need to worry.Once you are better, continue the pranayam for 20 minutes daily , for life.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.
august 12, 2011
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Respiratory Disorders Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what causes asthma, and how to take control of your symptoms.
Healing home remedies for common ailments
Tricks to help you quit for good.
Is your area one of the dirtiest-air cities in the nation?
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.