HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Are Cough, Slight Pain Upon Deep Inhalation, Discomfort Under My Sternum And The Front Of My Neck Signs Of Recurring Pleurisy?

Posted on Tue, 15 Nov 2022

Question: I recently had a bout of pleurisy. I had a steroid injection and then too a steroid pack. I followed up with my PCP and everything looked good. Now, 2 weeks later I seem to be having symptoms again. My doc is out of town. I have a cough, a little pain on deep inhalation, discomfort under my sternum and the front of my neck. Are these signs the pleurisy is coming back?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, this might be pleurisy.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Yes, these are possible signs of pleurisy.
Coughing, chest pain on deep inhalation are classical symptoms of pleurisy.

So better to get done chest x ray if not done in the past.
You can take simple painkiller like paracetamol or acetaminophen.
Please let me know:
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you have any heart diseases?

Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.

I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 hours later)

I do not have heart disease and I quit smoking 40+ years ago. At my ER Visit I had a chest X-ray and a chest CT. When I followed up with my PCP she did blood work and because I was still SOB she ordered an echo cardiogram which was normal. So you think the pleurisy could be relapsing? I have another appointment with my PCP on the 23rd. Can I wait? What symptoms should send me to one of my PCP’s colleagues before then?

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get done PFT.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

No need for chest X-ray at present because you had normal chest x ray and CT thorax. In my opinion, you should get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). This is needed to rule out bronchitis.

Bronchitis can cause recurrent pleurisy. And this should be the reason for sending you to another doctor probably pulmonologist. Do you have breathlessness at present?

I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D