This is topic Lungs and Pneumonia and Recovery Thereof . . . in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
Question for medicos and those who have experienced this:

1. How long before one's lungs get back into shape after pneumonia? How hard should I push during recovery?

2. How long will I need flovent and albuterol? Will my lungs develop a dependency? (Hiking season is here and it takes me twice as long to do a flat mile as did before pneumonia. Never mind small hills or stairs.)

*trying to practice patience and tired of getting tired so easily*
 

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Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 
You had pneumonia? You poor thing!

*healing hugs*
 

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Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 


That does *not* sound like fun.
 

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Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
 
After bronchitis, I was on flovent for about six months, but not constantly, only as needed. But I also lived in a fairly harsh climate where winters got to -40C (which is also -40F), but usually averaged around -20 to -25C, and I had to take the bus to get around, so standing outside for ten minutes or longer at a time.

I wish you a speedy recovery.
 

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Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
Two weeks off of work, rivka. My boss said I was incoherent by the time they got me to a doctor, and the only reason they didn't put me in hospital was because she and my ex-husband made sure I was cared for around the clock at home the first 48 hours after treatment began.

Would you believe I did a 6-mile hike right as I was getting this? I thought I could walk off a chest/sinus cold. Not . . .

I am back to work PT this week, but it's been tiring. However, my sleep is messed up and that doesn't help. Not being able to get enough aerobic exercise really makes the insomnia bad - viscious cycle . . .

*sigh*

And I have yard work to do, mountains to visit and climb, long walks to take, and most importantly, a boy-child to practice baseball and go swimming with, and to walk to the library with and to chase and tickle and all that good stuff . . . thank God he likes to read!
 

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Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
 
It's so hard when illness keeps parents away from parenting. Porter and I have not experienced anything like what you've been through, but there was a time when our oldest was barely walking that we both got food poisoning.

We were flat on our backs, incapacitated. He came up to us munching on an old, crusty piece of PBJ sandwich he had stashed away somewhere days before. All we could think was how grateful we were that he found sustenence!
 

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Posted by unicornwhisperer (Member # 294) on :
 
My mom got pneumonia back in January and she still is having trouble, the doctors say she should be feeling better by July... but wow that's like 7 months!
 

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Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
Hmmmm. Let's see, at 36 then, I could estimate approximtely 4 months for full recovery? Hiking season will practically be over then! Waaaahhhhh.
 

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Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Shan:

Two weeks off of work, rivka. My boss said I was incoherent by the time they got me to a doctor, and the only reason they didn't put me in hospital was because she and my ex-husband made sure I was cared for around the clock at home the first 48 hours after treatment began.

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Golly gee whiz! And here I was thinking the fact that you hadn't posted much lately meant you were busy having a life or something!

Take better care of yourself, ya hear?
 

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
 

quote:

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I thought I could walk off a chest/sinus cold.

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Always the optimist Shan.

We missed you around here.
 

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Posted by Theca (Member # 1629) on :
 
I was always told it take 6 months to fully recover from pneumonia. I don't really know if that is true. It DOES take quite a while to get all strength back but you should be able to get to 90% recovered within another week I'd hope.

You don't become dependent on those meds. They are helpful for pneumonias, bronchitis, the sorts of illnesses that get the lungs all irritated and inflamed. Once all that clears up you probably won't need the drugs. This is assuming you have healthy lungs, don't have asthma, and don't smoke. There ARE viruses that can cause an asthma-like problem in kids for 1-3 years afterwards but I doubt you'd have problems that long.

The albuterol is good for any infection in the lungs, like chest colds. So be sure to hold onto it and pull it out if you have a wet cough or wheezing in the future.
 

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Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
Thanks, Theca. Someone told me that if my lungs got accustomed to using those medicines that I'd have to use them for the rest of all time . . .

I'll practice patience and perhaps only PT work again next week to allow the body to heal . . .
 

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Posted by Theca (Member # 1629) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Shan:
Someone told me that if my lungs got accustomed to using those medicines that I'd have to use them for the rest of all time . . .

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