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Avatar universal

Pneumonia and pain that won't go away

I've had pneumonia for almost 3 months. I had two rounds of antibiotics and it shrunk to the point where it didn't show up in an x-ray, so we thought it was gone. But after 3 weeks the symptoms came back so severely that I had to go to the emergency room because the pain in my ribs and chest was keeping me from breathing. The x-ray was still 'clear' but a follow-up CT-scan showed it was still there, though a bit smaller than a previous CT scan. My pulmonologist put me on another round of antibiotics and although the severe symptoms have receded, the rib pain and breathing issues are still there. He says the next step is a PET scan to see if it might be something else. Everyone says that it takes a long time to recover, but to have these symptoms for so long? Is the PET scan the right way to go? Also, the pain seems to radiate up to my shoulder and down to my lower back - would this be muscle spasms? My doc hasn't given me a clear answer. (I posted this in the general health section and realized it would be better posted here but couldn't change the community without submitting it again in this one)
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Avatar universal
No, not personally.  I'm actually having cardiovascular issues with breathing.

But I have a degree in nursing and in biology.  So I have seen it in patients.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well viral would have already passed.  It just wouldn't hang on this long.  However a post accute inflammatory process could.  And the last thing you want is infiltration or fibrosis to set in.  I would ask for oral steroids on a 10 day tapering dose to hopefully stop it in it's tracks.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Thanks. I’ll check into that. Have you had experience with it?
Avatar universal
You may need antibiotics from too much inflammation.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I’ve aleeady had three rounds of antibiotics, I’m wondering if it’s viral if they aren’t getting rid of it.
Avatar universal
Did they put you on steroids along with the antibiotics?
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1 Comments
No, just the antibiotics
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