PLEASE help--rapid onset of complications after misdiagnosis of pneumonia

[tracy320]

I am 46 year old female- healthy and active until a month ago when i went in hospital w fever of 102.5 and flu like symptoms.dr diagnosed me w pneumonia- treated me w iv antibiotics, and a steroid called decadron.  i had two iv injections of decadron. one was 40mg, then 12 hrs later i rcvd 80mg--my heart went from 72bpm to 170bpm and i nearly passed out.  I was abruptly released from the hospital with no follow up xrays etc- told i would be better in 3 wks or so.  I went to an internist who said i could have a blood clot because since my release i have severe shortness of breath. ct scan w contrast was fine but my ekg was abnormal.  he referred me to a pulmonologist that said my pulse ox was fine, did some breathing test w a tube you blow in-that was normal and is now sending me to a cardiologist. I have developed tightness in my chest and have severe shortness of breath, but only in spells--resting or upon exertion-makes no difference.  could the episode with decadron have damaged my heart?! I am anemic-iron deficient-due to gastric bypass surgery three years ago- I was very healthy-lost 165lbs and exercised religiously-now I can barely get off the couch-- please help?any advice as to what that could be or what could be wrong or if this is normal after pneumonia???

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Good to see you have recovered.

[tracy320]

Thank you for your advice-- sorry it has taken me so long to post.  Went through a battery of tests- nuclear stress test, ekg-both said that my heart is healthy and I am fine!  The breathing has since cleared up on it's own, as my dr said it would, but I was so scared of the way I felt.  Just updated to let those know who are suffering with pneumonia, it sure does take a long time to recover- at eight weeks after my hospitalization, I am just now feeling normal:)

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

You are being investigated to rule out Pulmonary embolism. But this is not because of the steroid therapy. It could have occurred due to the infection. In Pulmonary embolism there is shortness of breath and chest pain. The common causes for this are immobility, an acute illness or sometimes with oral contraceptives. Blood tests along with Computed tomography angiography (CTA) may help diagnose this condition. It is treated with thrombolytic therapy.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.