Pleurisy/Pleuritis (sp?)

Has anyone ever had pleurisy/pleuritis before? I went to the ER on Saturday after having stabbing chest pains all day. My cardiologist told me to go straight to the ER. I went in and they did bloodwork, and EKG, and chest x-ray. They concluded that I have pleurisy/pleuritis and low potassium. The doctor gave me a prescription for a z-pack and a potassium supplement. They told me to take ibuprofen for the pain. It hurts to take a breath  . Does anyone have any tricks to feel better? I have really thick, yellow mucous stuck in my throat too. What's up with that?

Ughhh I had it back in December. I couldn't take a deep breath and I thought I was having a heart attack. I went to the ER at around 11pm and they admitted me right away. I was in the hospital for 3 days.

Quoting *Mrs. Varicose Veins*:" Ughhh I had it back in December. I couldn't take a deep breath and I thought I was having a heart attack. ... [snip!] ... was having a heart attack. I went to the ER at around 11pm and they admitted me right away. I was in the hospital for 3 days. "

They just gave me an antibiotic and a potassium supplement. Oh and told me to take ibuprofen for the pain. They said if it gets worse to come back in but I hate going to the ER :/

Yeah I had it when I was pregnant with my 2nd son, I was put on antibiotics and told to take Tylenol. It hurts like hell but as soon as your antibiotics kick in you'll feel much better.

I've never heard of it but this site has an at home suggestions kind of section, this is what it says about pleurisy...


Self-Care at Home


Some chest pain is dangerous. Sometimes even an experienced doctor can't tell you the exact cause of your pain. Pleurisy is frequently diagnosed only when other more serious causes have been ruled out.

• Use an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or aspirin, to reduce the pain and inflammation.

• You may have less pain if you lie on the side that hurts.

• Avoid exerting yourself or doing anything that would cause you to breathe hard.

• Call your doctor or go to your hospital's emergency department if you can't breathe deeply or cough because of severe pain.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/pleurisy/page6_em.htm#Self-Care%20at%20Home

Quoting ashley♡:" They just gave me an antibiotic and a potassium supplement. Oh and told me to take ibuprofen for the pain. They said if it gets worse to come back in but I hate going to the ER :/"

I hate the ER too. I only go n extreme cases. I had to be on an IV and everything. They gave me X-RAYS to check for blood clots. I was really scared.

Quoting *Mrs. Varicose Veins*:" I hate the ER too. I only go n extreme cases. I had to be on an IV and everything. They gave me X-RAYS to check for blood clots. I was really scared. "

I feel worse today than I did yesterday. But hopefully once I get my antibiotics (picking them up tomorrow) I'll start to feel better.