Libertyman, I don't think this is misdiagnosis. I think it was a series of "let's try this for a week" that didn't work like we wanted to. Now we've kicked it up. I have to say that the new antibiotics are kicking me in the gut, though.
Comrade, I think I'd rather have this than the smoke. At least for now. But thanks.
1) Z-pack is azithromycin. That is an antibiotic. 2) PNA is serious sh*t, and will kill you deader than canned tuna if you don't take care of yourself. It kicked my ass at age 20. Don't screw around.
The second I read the headline of this post, I knew what you had pneumonia. It used to happen to me and it happened to my wife too. I wonder if it is a common thing...?
Pneumonia vs bronchitis. It actually can be an arbitrary call. In each case you feel like crap and are coughing a lot. If you can hear definite crackles in the lung OR you have definite infiltrates on the chest xray, then the infection involves the actual lung tissues, not the pipes. Hence Pneumonia. Pneumonia btw can be bacterial, viral, fungal, chemical. I've sure known a case to look/sound very different from one day to the next. Or one person be able to hear the crackles and the next not. Or xrays that can be interpreted several different ways. Heck I've even known doctors to make the diagnosis on no evidence at all. And sometimes be "right" in the sense that antibiotics then make people better. Z pack is so flagrantly overprescribed that I lost faith in it during my practicing days. It did however have mild anti inflamatory properties ( I used to call it Prednisone Junior) that made everyone at least feel a bit better. That was part of the enormous patient demand driven popularity of the stuff that led to overprescribing. I'm happy to be out of that biz. Someone else can make these calls. Get better in any case and from whatever this actually is. TW
Limit physical activity. Some years ago, after being diagnosed with double pneumonia, a stupid boss left a message that I had to be on site the next day, or else. Turned out he was joking. Nearly died. Got there, and was told to report to HR, which was a long hike away. Collapsed when I got back. One of the guys later figured out that I had so little lung capacity due to fluids, that I tripped the CO2 warning system. I recall struggling to keep them from laying me flat, as I was sure I would drown, as I had to sleep sitting up to avoid the fluids closing off lung access. Got an ambulance ride that the company made me pay for.
You have downgraded to No Shit Sick. Just get rest and cured
ReplyDeleteYeah. After 6 weeks of futzing around I'm finally on real antibiotics (as opposed to that Z-Pack nonsense).
ReplyDeleteLord, this is a drag.
Are you on a cruise ship?
ReplyDeletetalnik, that was the first laugh I've had today. But it has crossed my mind that I want to shake this before the Kung Flu breaks out here.
ReplyDeletePrayed.
ReplyDeleteYou wonder how good the doctors are today. Was it a mis diagnosis or a missed diagnosis? Be careful, as pneumonia kills.
ReplyDeleteThat's some bad shit. Sort of like smelling smoke at cruise altitude: Take it seriously.
ReplyDeleteMajor suckage, BP.
ReplyDeleteRest, take your meds, and Get Well Soon!
I'm not doing very well, either, and I'm anxiously waiting for Friday when I get the MRI procedure.
Libertyman, I don't think this is misdiagnosis. I think it was a series of "let's try this for a week" that didn't work like we wanted to. Now we've kicked it up. I have to say that the new antibiotics are kicking me in the gut, though.
ReplyDeleteComrade, I think I'd rather have this than the smoke. At least for now. But thanks.
Dr Jim, yeah. Good luck on the MRI.
1) Z-pack is azithromycin. That is an antibiotic.
ReplyDelete2) PNA is serious sh*t, and will kill you deader than canned tuna if you don't take care of yourself.
It kicked my ass at age 20. Don't screw around.
Had this twice, both from overseas travels in turd world.
ReplyDeleteNo fun. Make sure you get the full treatment and follow through with the doc.
Don't be surprised if it takes 2 months for final vestiges of coughing and hacking up to go away, sometimes longer.
Best wishes. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThe second I read the headline of this post, I knew what you had pneumonia. It used to happen to me and it happened to my wife too. I wonder if it is a common thing...?
ReplyDeletePneumonia vs bronchitis. It actually can be an arbitrary call. In each case you feel like crap and are coughing a lot. If you can hear definite crackles in the lung OR you have definite infiltrates on the chest xray, then the infection involves the actual lung tissues, not the pipes. Hence Pneumonia. Pneumonia btw can be bacterial, viral, fungal, chemical. I've sure known a case to look/sound very different from one day to the next. Or one person be able to hear the crackles and the next not. Or xrays that can be interpreted several different ways. Heck I've even known doctors to make the diagnosis on no evidence at all. And sometimes be "right" in the sense that antibiotics then make people better. Z pack is so flagrantly overprescribed that I lost faith in it during my practicing days. It did however have mild anti inflamatory properties ( I used to call it Prednisone Junior) that made everyone at least feel a bit better. That was part of the enormous patient demand driven popularity of the stuff that led to overprescribing.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to be out of that biz. Someone else can make these calls.
Get better in any case and from whatever this actually is.
TW
Do not pass GO. Do not post. Do nothing except relax, sleep, and eat light (chicken soup works). Take your meds exactly as prescribed.
ReplyDeleteWe need you to stick around and be healthy, BP.
I had an encounter with pneumonia last year. I've never been that sick in my entire life. The coughing took weeks to clear up.
ReplyDeleteHope and prayers that you bounce back sooner!
Diane
Limit physical activity.
ReplyDeleteSome years ago, after being diagnosed with double pneumonia, a stupid boss left a message that I had to be on site the next day, or else. Turned out he was joking. Nearly died. Got there, and was told to report to HR, which was a long hike away. Collapsed when I got back. One of the guys later figured out that I had so little lung capacity due to fluids, that I tripped the CO2 warning system. I recall struggling to keep them from laying me flat, as I was sure I would drown, as I had to sleep sitting up to avoid the fluids closing off lung access. Got an ambulance ride that the company made me pay for.
Don't screw around. This stuff can kill you.
ReplyDelete