Suggest Treatment For Severe Back Pain And Chest Infection

Posted on Sun, 6 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 6 Nov 2016 Answered on

Mon, 28 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I woke. Early hours last Saturday with severe pain in my back on left side which was spawning. I was struggling to breath. Especially when I breathed in. Was taken to AE who did obs I was tachycardia tapneic plus had a temp of 39.9. I was treated with iv meropenim. Plus oxygen . I was kept in for 3 days where I had TDS iv meropenim. I was discharged on day 3. On day 2 I developed a cough an the pain subsided. I was checked for PE which came back negative. When I went home I was given 5 days oral doxlocylin. First 2 days home I felt loads better. Then I started to cough plus plus. I also am sooo tired sleeping loads. On Friday I saw my gp who has given me oral clarythromcyn. And has said I have community acquired pneumonia. Go can I develop this post leaving hospital . Considering I'm on antibotic. Seems every one keeps giving me antibiotics for chest infection. But why do I keep getting them. It has only been 3 week poor to this episode that I had a chestinfection and was treated with pred and antibiotics. What can I I do I can't keep going like this. My crp on admission was who it's coming down now. My Esr taken two days ago were 37. I also have thyroid problems and my gp says that my levels are okay. They are tsh 6.28 and t4 19.8 to me I feel this might be out a bit could this account for why I keep getting chestinfection. Could it acount for why I'm so tired all the time. As I could at present sleep all day 'll night..

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your symptoms may be because you are recovering from chest infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,

From your description it appears that you have had lung infections for which you have been given few antibiotics. It is possible to develop another bout of chest infection(community acquired pneumonia in your case) soon after a first attack. I can understand your concern about having to take so many antibiotics as they definitely can cause weakness. Do not take any more antibiotics.I take it that now you do not have any fever and your infection is under control. Now you should continue your asthma medicines, avoid dusty/smoky atmosphere, extreme cold temperatures and smoking in case you are a smoker. Eat a healthy and balanced diet, do deep breathing exercises and go for some mild physical exercise like walking.

Regarding your excessive sleep and weakness, it could be because you have recently recovered from bouts of chest infection and you will be alright soon. Your thyroid levels are more or less alright though TSH may be little out of range depending on the kit used. But if your sleep continues to remain excessive, you may have to repeat your thyroid test preferrably from a different lab and you may have to increase your eltroxin dosage in consultation with yoiur treating physician.

Do not worry about your CRP and ESR. They will settle down soon.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY

Follow up: Dr. Shashi Dangwal (4 hours later)

Hi I still have pain in my chest . More my right side but no temp if anything my skin is colder to touch than normal. So would you sugest not completing the dose of clarthromcyn. But to try do lung exercises. Any idea why I am getting so many infection in my lungs. As this has been on an off since September this year but last year I started in September an had infection on an off every 6 weeks or so till March.

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Complete the course of clarithromycin followed by breathing exercises.

Detailed Answer:
First of all, please complete the course of clarithromycin as advised by your treating physician. Thereafter do not take any more antibiotics and do as advised above.

The pain on the right side may be because of prolonged illness resulting in musculoskeletal type of pain. You may take a pain killer for it if it is unbearable.

It`s been seen that people with allergy/asthma are somehow more prone to repeated chest infections esp during changing weather which may even aggravate asthma symptoms. Measures highlighted above may even help in building up your immunity.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY