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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Had Pnuemonia, Pulmonary Edema. No Chest Pain. Why Is The Back Pain And Breathlessness Still Remaining?

My brother is 35. He was a smoker. He had severe pneumonia , in July, this year. It started with the unbearable pain in his back. He couldn t sleep, move or else for days, he was in the hospital for 20 days, where he was treated. He made many X-rays and 2 CT scans. He had fluid in lungs ( Pulmonary Edema ). The cause of pneumonia was chlamydia bacteria (Chlamidya trachomatis). His last CT scan, showed small emphysemic bull, a lot of scars, fibrous scars. Pulmonologist said that his lungs were badly damaged. In few months he will go on a 3. CT scan. He stopped smoking . He never coughed, not now, not before. He doesn t have any chest pains at all. But he still feel pain in his back, sometimes, especially in the morning. Still has a heavy breath (when climbing upstairs) and gets tired easily. Why does he still feels that pain in his back? Will he be allowed to go out into the open this winter (few months after pneumonia, when the weather is cold ) and hike in the woods (we live by the sea)? What about scarring of his lungs? Will this ever get better? What can he do about it? Is there any special tea or kind of food that I can prepare for him that he gets better? What can we do for him at home? Please, help. If you need more info s I ll write it down. Thank you in advance.
Mon, 15 Oct 2012
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Pediatrician, Cardiology 's  Response
Hello
1) In pneumonia pain may be generalised like both in chest and back or may be localised to a part of chest or back( depending on the part of lung involved). So pain in back may be due to lung scarring or inflammation.Back pain can be caused due to a variety of factors. Therefore, it is wise to consult the doctor and get the condition diagnosed.
2) Heaviness in breath is due to lung fibrosis and scarring. Recovery depends on the severity of fibrosis. There may be complete solution of clinical symptoms but there will always be some residual radiological changes.
3) Do chest exersice by incentive spirometer at home. It will help in quicker recovery. Avoid cold as it can precipitate the breathlessness.
With regards
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Had Pnuemonia, Pulmonary Edema. No Chest Pain. Why Is The Back Pain And Breathlessness Still Remaining?

Hello 1) In pneumonia pain may be generalised like both in chest and back or may be localised to a part of chest or back( depending on the part of lung involved). So pain in back may be due to lung scarring or inflammation.Back pain can be caused due to a variety of factors. Therefore, it is wise to consult the doctor and get the condition diagnosed. 2) Heaviness in breath is due to lung fibrosis and scarring. Recovery depends on the severity of fibrosis. There may be complete solution of clinical symptoms but there will always be some residual radiological changes. 3) Do chest exersice by incentive spirometer at home. It will help in quicker recovery. Avoid cold as it can precipitate the breathlessness. With regards