I *had* pneumonia

[tattooyu]

Woke up Sunday morning with a stabbing pain in my right kidney area. Was sure it was a kidney stone, which I'd never had before. Turns out: pneumonia! WTF? I wasn't even "sick"!

I made sure to clean out my machine really well, but my question is: is it safe to use it? The ER folks didn't tell me otherwise (they know I have apnea).

Oxygen levels are great. No cough (yet). Just fever. I'm taking Levaquin for the infection.

The hardest part is staying away from Jonah (my son) and my wife.

[Madalot]

I'm sorry about the pneumonia! I hope you feel better soon.

As far as using the machine, I would think it would be okay (might help) but I would suggest checking in with your doctor about it to be sure.

[rosiefrosie]

Sorry to hear that you have pneumonia. Hope that you have a speedy recovery. It takes antibiotics a good 24 hours to build up in your system and to start working. I would think that you could continue to use your machine without problems. you might want to check with your doctor.

rosie

[cflame1]

I've used mine with pneumonia... actually used it more, as it helped me breathe.

[TerryB]

Remember you didn't get pneumonia from your machine, you got it from a germ that got in to your chest and like the warm damp place.

USE that machine.

God luck for a speedy recovery.


TerryB

[kteague]

Daggone, I hate to hear that. Hopefully you caught it early enough before it got a strong hold on you and that you're all better soon.

[tattooyu]

Yeah it was a real shock when they told me that at th ER. Didn't even knew I had it!

I'll call my doctor today. I need to follow up anyway. I know torontoCPAPguy would tell me to take extra care based on what he's been through.

[mars]

.
.

Baby Jonah says "Get Well Soon, Dad, And Come And Play With Me"

and I too say get well soon.

Mars

[BlackSpinner]

Remember that if you ended up in the hospital they would put you on a machine too.
USE YOUR CPAP.
You need all the O2 you can get and all the good sleep you can get.
I had it last winter and let me tell you it was sooo much easier to be on cpap then without. There were times when I wore it during the day with the humidity turned up full just so I could breathe easier.

[Pugsy]

Congrats on the new baby. I apparently missed out on this while I was vacationing from the internet this past year.

Use your machine. When you are done with the fever, and done with the antibiotics, give the mask a good cleaning again. That would be the most likely place to still harbor germs, if there are any.

Years ago when I work with doctors and a person had for example, strep throat, we would advise tossing the toothbrush just as a safety precaution to prevent reinfection. Cheap thing to do. I don't remember what mask you use but I think it was of the nasal pillow variety. If so, you might even want to change to a fresh nasal pillow just for peace of mind. While a good cleaning would likely be sufficient, it is easy and cheap to change just the pillow. Wait till you are well though.

[tattooyu]

BlackSpinner, you're right. While I'm not having trouble breathing it does feel more comfortable with the mask on.

Mars, Jonah wanted me to tell you, "Deh Deh Deh dit dit da daaaaah Deh."

Pugsy, that's a good idea. I'm due for new pillows anyway. I'll keep the humidifier tank clean in the interim and wash my pillows in the mean time. I may even get a new brush head for my toothbrush after this is all over.

[KatieW]

Tattooyu, I'm adding my wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

I'm in AZ for the winter, and there was an article in yesterday's local paper about Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis). It is often misdiagnosed, even in AZ where 2/3 of all infections occur.

I know several people here, who have been misdiagnosed with pneumonia and treated with antibiotics. Valley Fever is a fungal pneumonia, and would not be helped by drugs directed at bacteria.

The 2nd most common place is CA, in the farming valleys. So I mention this, in case you may have been exposed to the fungus in the soil. Exposure can be in occupations that disturb the soil, or from recreation such as biking or driving vehicles in the desert.

[tattooyu]

Tattooyu, I'm adding my wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

I'm in AZ for the winter, and there was an article in yesterday's local paper about Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis). It is often misdiagnosed, even in AZ where 2/3 of all infections occur.

I know several people here, who have been misdiagnosed with pneumonia and treated with antibiotics. Valley Fever is a fungal pneumonia, and would not be helped by drugs directed at bacteria.

The 2nd most common place is CA, in the farming valleys. So I mention this, in case you may have been exposed to the fungus in the soil. Exposure can be in occupations that disturb the soil, or from recreation such as biking or driving vehicles in the desert.

Katie, thanks for that info. I live in "a" valley but it's all urban (San Fernando Valley, like oh-ma-god fer sure!). I'll ask my doctor about it though.

[OutaSync]

Kenny, I'm so sorry that you are sick!!!

Rest up and get better quickly.

Bev

[chunkyfrog]

You are right: Valley fever is fungal, not bacterial or viral. (see the -mycosis at the end)
When I was in the hospital (for gall bladder surgery), my roommate had a fungal lung infection (she lived on a farm),
Young woman, lost part of a lung and bone from a couple of ribs.
That stuff will really mess you up.