What Causes Weakness And Pain In Legs While Treating Pneumonia?

Posted on Wed, 1 Jun 2016

Question: I was in the hospital for 5 days with pneumonia/bronchitis. I cked myself out due to the fact that I went into congestive heart. They didn't give my my water pill until afterward. Been seeing my dr this week..having tests done. Even echo. Came out fine...the echo. Daily I'm getting weaker in my legs. Taking potassium. Could this be part of the pneumonia ? My lungs have a clear to white mucus yet. Not the green I had. Concerned about the weak legs

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, weakness in legs is due to pneumonia.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Pneumonia is acute infection.
And in any acute infection, weakness, leg pain, myalgia etc are common.
These symptoms are seen for almost 2-3 weeks till infection heals completely.
Since it's been only 5 days with pneumonia, you have not recovered fully from pneumonia.
So symptoms will also last for another 1-2 weeks.
Once your pneumonia is recovered, all these symptoms will also gone.
So, this weak legs are due to pneumonia.
No need to worry for this. This will improve once pneumonia is treated completely.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (28 minutes later)

This infection began with bronchitis on March 7th. Thank u for taking the fear from these symptoms. I've been able to get around but daily have gotten fluish and walking is strained! My knees and hips pain also! I didn't mention that I had fallen over a week ago and was out for some time! My neighbor call ems. They were treating me for lactic acid. Dr...I couldn't stay any longer due to the care. Is the lactic acid issue something that clears up. They dropped it in the Hosp however my legs have similar feeling. I drink LOTS of water...gaterade etc. Can u suggest anything that will encourage my health to return?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Take simple painkiller like paracetamol.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you should take simple painkiller like paracetamol (500mg) twice daily for 1 week.
This will give you a lot of symptomatic benefit.
By this 1 week, your infection will also recover and after that nothing is needed.
Don't worry, you will be alright.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wishing good health to you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina