Two days earlier this week, I had a stomach bug w/ much vomiting. Afterwards, neck & chest muscles were sore. Three days later, I went on a fast-paced walk to lunch with officemates & had difficulty catching my breath (I have asthma). Later, same afternoon, I think I strained muscles in my back doing repetitive motions. That evening (Friday), discomfot continued but I ignored it b/c it felt typical of muscle strain & I figured it would be better the next day. I slept fine, but Saturday morning, my right side & back felt as if they had a "catch" or "stitch"...as if I had slept in an awkward position. The pain continued to intensify throughout Saturday & I found that I was having difficulty breathing deeply (right side only). Mid afternoon, I took ibuprofen (helped a bit), later followed by 1/2 zanaflex. I thought the situation was improving, but by bedtime, I had great discomfort rising & sitting, increasing difficulty breathing deeply. When I went to bed, I could not lie on either side, back or stomach w/o extreme pain & gasping for breath. I took the other 1/2 zanaflex, but felt no relief.
Reclining &rising from a lying position is most painful, & when I first get up/walk around, I am short of breath. Once I get settled into a position (seated or lying on my back), the pain subsides greatly, but I still have shallow breathing. When all is quite, I hear "snap, crackle, pop" or what sounds like tissue paper rattling coming from my chest. The symptoms sound like pleurisy to me.
I am extremely afraid of doctors, new to this area, six hrs from home & family.