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What Causes Recurring Muscle Pain In Back Post Recovery From Pneumonia?
Question: Recovered from pneumonia 2 months ago in my right lung and been having muscle pain in my right back and this pain comes and goes at different intervals in different areas of the same side. I get minimal ease when I eat and gets worse when I am exposed to the cold. Chest ex rays indicate a clear lungs. What is the problem? Please help
Brief Answer:
This pain can be from inflammation of covering of lungs
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Many patients having symptoms similar to yours have consulted me, with a persisting pain after recovering from pneumonia and chest x rays are normal. T
2. This pain is likely due to pleurisy, which is nerve stimulation of the pleura following inflammation. Pleura is the covering of lungs. The pleura are pain sensitive structures and after recovery from pneumonia, it can get trigerred at different times as you have written. The pleurisy pain is sharp and stabbing nature and can get worse on exposure to cold weather.
3. Please discuss with your doctor to confirm the cause of your pain and a follow up clinical examination is suggested. If required, a CT scan chest might be recommended to have a detailed look at your chest.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
This pain can be from inflammation of covering of lungs
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Many patients having symptoms similar to yours have consulted me, with a persisting pain after recovering from pneumonia and chest x rays are normal. T
2. This pain is likely due to pleurisy, which is nerve stimulation of the pleura following inflammation. Pleura is the covering of lungs. The pleura are pain sensitive structures and after recovery from pneumonia, it can get trigerred at different times as you have written. The pleurisy pain is sharp and stabbing nature and can get worse on exposure to cold weather.
3. Please discuss with your doctor to confirm the cause of your pain and a follow up clinical examination is suggested. If required, a CT scan chest might be recommended to have a detailed look at your chest.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response.
The pneumonia was diagnosed by way of a CT scan in October last year. After treatment of the pneumonia, the doctor ordered another CT Scan in December and it revealed a very small nodule in the lung that was not there in the first scan when the pneumonia was diagnosed. Could the nodule have come about as a result of the pneumonia? How long does it take to be cured of pleurisy?
The pneumonia was diagnosed by way of a CT scan in October last year. After treatment of the pneumonia, the doctor ordered another CT Scan in December and it revealed a very small nodule in the lung that was not there in the first scan when the pneumonia was diagnosed. Could the nodule have come about as a result of the pneumonia? How long does it take to be cured of pleurisy?
Brief Answer:
The lung nodule is probably due to pneumonia
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an updte.
1. The lung nodule can occur after the pneumonia attack. It is important to know the size of the nodule for reference.
2. Pleurisy does not have a fixed duration before it gets cured. It can vary with the pneumonia and the areas affected. However it can stay for 2 to 4 months in most people.
3. Please discuss pain relief with your doctor.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
The lung nodule is probably due to pneumonia
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an updte.
1. The lung nodule can occur after the pneumonia attack. It is important to know the size of the nodule for reference.
2. Pleurisy does not have a fixed duration before it gets cured. It can vary with the pneumonia and the areas affected. However it can stay for 2 to 4 months in most people.
3. Please discuss pain relief with your doctor.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The size of the nodule was 0.5mm. Kindly give your thoughts on this. I am scheduled to have another CAT scan in September. FYI, They also did a TB blood test which is positive but germ is not active. Sputum is negative and no fluid in the lungs. They have recommended treatment of four months to kill the TB germ. Could that be the reason why they pluerisy is still there? I feel it has taken too long to clear. The pneumonia was cured in early December meaning I be had pleurisy for 4 months. Please help.... Could it be something else. The pain is more like a muscle crump in my shoulder plate
Brief Answer:
International guidelines suggest follow up CT scan chest after 6 months
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an updte.
1. Your docotrs are following international guidelines to follow up lung nodules which are less than 8 mm in diameter. A 5 mm nodule reuires a follow up CT scan after 6 to 12 months.
2. TB is a difficult diagnosis. Many times treatment is given for 4 months to treat any TB which is suspected on clinical symptoms of fever,, weight loss, cough or lymph nodes.
3. The pleurisy can be from inflammation of lungs which is healing. If there is no serious finding on CT scan then you should not get anxiety. The pain will get cured in few months.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
International guidelines suggest follow up CT scan chest after 6 months
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an updte.
1. Your docotrs are following international guidelines to follow up lung nodules which are less than 8 mm in diameter. A 5 mm nodule reuires a follow up CT scan after 6 to 12 months.
2. TB is a difficult diagnosis. Many times treatment is given for 4 months to treat any TB which is suspected on clinical symptoms of fever,, weight loss, cough or lymph nodes.
3. The pleurisy can be from inflammation of lungs which is healing. If there is no serious finding on CT scan then you should not get anxiety. The pain will get cured in few months.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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