madscientist

Hey everyone, earlier in the week I had the pleasure (or not) of ending up overnight in the ER for breathing difficulties. After a few hours of poking, prodding and x-rays it turned out to be pneumonia. Thankfully the antibiotics and steroids seem to be doing their job and keeping me full of air now!

One thing I noticed on all the discharge paperwork and other things that were mentioned in the reading I've been doing is that there seems to be a higher incidence of pneumonia in folks with history of alcoholism, both active and in recovery.

I found an article that was pretty in depth that stepped through how the professionals think the linkage works, it was an interesting read, Alcohol Health & Research World: Alcohol and bacterial pneumonia

Just one more reason to be thankful for recovery, and hopefully immune systems that are on the mend for all of us.

Hope everyone is well, and staying away from anyone that's coughing on you.

Bamboozle

Eek! Yet another thing to worry about...


Glad to hear you're doing better.

CarolD

Good to know you are improving.

Sorry...i've forgotten. How long has it been since you quit drinking?

madscientist

Thanks Bamboozle & Carol.

I've been sober now for a little over 13 months.

Bamboozle

Wow...I'll be thanking my lucky stars if I ever get that far.

Mattcake

Thanks for the info... I had pneumonia during my detox from alcohol, my doc failed to diagnose it before prescribing my detox meds. And I brushed off the symptoms, I figured the fever, chills, fatigue etc were from withdrawal and from smoking too much. Until, like you, I wound up in the ER after waking up in the middle of the night, literally unable to breathe. A course of antibiotics and plenty of rest took care of it. Booze withdrawal coupled with pneumonia is no walk in the park

So lesson learned the hard way! If you have ANY concerns during withdrawal (and thereafter, of course) *hound* your doctor for answers, it's always better to be on the safe side

CarolD

Great!! Congratulations!