back ache with pneumonia

[tdstewart]

I was hospitalized for 3 days with pneumonia throuhout both lungs. I have been home now for a full week and the back ache is not getting better. I have been alternating between tylenol and motrin, with Advil PM at night, to get comfortable rest. When I breathe in, sneeze, cough, hiccup...it HURTS! Not my chest, mostly my lower back. It is also a struggle to take my Advair, as I have to breathe in to get the meds into my lungs. How long should I expect to hurt like this? I am beginning to get anxious thinking that something else is wrong. Is this normal pain with recovering from pneumonia?

Thanks for your reply

[National Jewish Health]

I wouldn't call it normal pain, but it is somewhat unusual.  Your description of the location being lower back suggests that this is not the pain of pleurisy and that is good news.  But, if it hurts with breathing in, without attempting to take a deep breath, it could be pleurisy.  It sounds more like lower back muscle or ligament strain, or it could even be a fractured rib, any of these, presumably from hard coughing.  This pain should gradually subside, but if it is accompanied by worsening cough, discolored phlegm, or fever, you should call your doctor.