Understanding Pleurisy: My Experience
Hello, I’m a 19-year-old male. Back in mid-May, I used a bong and soon afterward experienced a constricting sensation in my lungs, accompanied by intense pain. This issue led to two emergency room visits. Fortunately, the doctors didn’t find anything alarming; they simply diagnosed me with pleurisy and advised me to take ibuprofen. I realize now that I neglected to inform the various physicians I consulted—pulmonologist, cardiologist, and oncologist—about my past strep throat infection from last October. Despite the thorough examinations and imaging tests, all the specialists concluded that there was nothing seriously wrong. Since then, I have refrained from smoking, although I’m eager to return to it. I’m curious if there’s a recommended timeline for when I might be able to smoke again, as I was in good health prior to this incident, aside from the new chest pain I hadn't previously experienced.
Answers (1)
8/8/2025, 10:31:05 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s encouraging to hear that you've been evaluated by multiple specialists and found no serious underlying conditions. Given your diagnosis of pleurisy, which is inflammation of the lining around the lungs, it’s wise to approach smoking with caution.
Explanation:
Pleurisy can cause chest pain and difficulty breathing, and it's often linked to infections or lung irritants. Although you've been cleared by the specialists, smoking—especially after an episode like yours—could irritate your lungs and slow down healing. The fact that you experienced severe symptoms after using a bong suggests that inhaling irritants may impact your lung health.
Next Steps:
-
Give Yourself Time to Heal: Aim to avoid smoking for at least 4-6 weeks, or longer if symptoms persist. This period allows your lungs to recover fully and reduces the risk of exacerbating any existing irritation.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any chest pain or breathing difficulties. If you notice a return of symptoms or new symptoms arise, it may be a sign to consult your healthcare provider.
-
Consider Alternative Relaxation Methods: Explore other ways to unwind that don’t involve smoking. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or moderate exercise can be beneficial for your lung health and overall well-being.
-
Reassess Smoking After Healing: Once you feel fully recovered, if you still wish to smoke, consider discussing it with a healthcare professional to better understand potential risks and safer methods of consumption.
Taking these steps will help you prioritize your lung health and may contribute to long-term well-being. Let me know if you have further questions!
Related Questions
Dealing with a Finger Infection for a Week
I’m a 30-year-old female who accidentally pulled a hangnail about five days ago, and that's when the discomfort began. Within just 24 hours, my finger became swollen and felt warm to the touch. The following day, I sought treatment at urgent care, where I was advised to continue taking my prescribed antibiotics for a urinary tract infection, as they should also help with the finger issue. Currently, I’m on day seven of a ten-day course of Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (875-125 mg). Also, I’m in my 11th week of pregnancy. By the third day, I noticed pus forming just beneath the skin, but there’s no way for it to escape. The medical team advised against trying to drain it myself, which terrifies me, especially since it's quite painful. To make matters worse, it seemed to have doubled in size overnight. Is there anything additional I might try at home to manage this situation? I intend to revisit urgent care soon, as I don’t have a primary care physician right now due to my previous doctor relocating and the new ones not yet being available. P.S. I included a photo of the infection in the comments, marked as potentially graphic for those who find such images unsettling.
Concerns About Bumpy Texture on the Head of My Penis
At 27 years old, I’ve noticed that certain areas of the head of my penis have a noticeably rough texture when erect. Zooming in, this region appears as small, bumpy patches. I frequently engage in masturbation, often edging myself to prolong the experience. However, when I use lubricant during this activity, it tends to dry out, leading to a rough feeling and irritation. I recollect experiencing temporary redness in that area, but it resolved quickly. Despite the roughness and the small bumps—one of which is slightly larger—there’s been no accompanying pain or itchiness. To address my concerns, I consulted an online dermatologist due to financial constraints preventing a face-to-face visit. He diagnosed me with a form of balanitis, albeit with atypical symptoms, such as the absence of itching or pain, only rough and bumpy skin. He prescribed a topical treatment containing 2% miconazole nitrate and 1% hydrocortisone. My research into these medications has revealed troubling side effects like skin thinning and increased redness. Given my symptoms, I wonder if this is genuinely balanitis or perhaps another condition entirely. If it is indeed balanitis, should I proceed with the current treatment, or are there alternative options with fewer side effects?
Managing Anemia Linked to Chronic Disease (Lupus)
What is the best approach for treating anemia of chronic disease when the underlying condition isn't currently "active"? As someone diagnosed with lupus, I recently had a follow-up appointment with my rheumatologist's nurse practitioner, and I learned that I am experiencing anemia again. This isn’t a new development for me, as I have dealt with anemia intermittently, primarily categorized as anemia due to chronic illness. However, I have recently noticed additional symptoms related to my anemia that I have not encountered before, and I find myself without treatment alternatives suggested by my doctor. Some of the troubling symptoms I’m facing include: * dizziness * shortness of breath * an accelerated heartbeat * a strong pulse * persistent fatigue With all my inflammation tests coming back normal, my treatment remains limited to the plaquenil that has been a part of my regimen for several years. So, what options do I have for managing this anemia? Would it be advisable to consider medications like Celcept or Prednisone again, or are there other strategies available for addressing my anemia effectively?
The Consequences of a Bone Fracture in an Alzheimer’s Patient
I am a 22-year-old whose mother, aged 58, is battling Alzheimer’s disease. Her diagnosis came in August 2022, but the signs had been noticeable around 8 to 10 years prior. The progression of her dementia is quite pronounced; she is unable to engage in meaningful conversations and experiences significant aphasia. Additionally, she faces incontinence issues, visual hallucinations, frequent difficulties with eating, and loss of motor coordination, among other concerning symptoms. Listing every issue would indeed take more time than I have. Last night, she had a fall at her care facility. The nursing staff reached out to my father, who was celebrating my birthday with me far from home. They initially informed him she had fallen but reassured him that there seemed to be no major injuries beyond some presumed bruising. However, earlier today, my father informed me they were preparing for an ambulance; the nurses suspect that she may have fractured her leg. It appears deformed and she is experiencing considerable discomfort. They are taking her to the hospital for further examination, but the staff now seems quite convinced of a fracture. I’ve come across information indicating that bone fractures might exacerbate the symptoms in certain Alzheimer's patients—most of what I’ve found pertains to hip fractures specifically. I’m looking for insights from individuals who might have dealt with similar situations, as I prefer personal experiences over general medical sources. Thank you for any guidance you can provide!
Alternative Options to Montelukast and Concerns Regarding Discontinuation
Hello, I have a friend, a 36-year-old male, who was initially prescribed a medication called Alsove-DM, which contains Acebrophylline (200 mg), Desloratadine (5 mg), and Montelukast (10 mg), by a pulmonologist for a duration of five months. Recently, he switched to another medication called Montair FX, which includes Montelukast (10 mg) and Fexofenadine (120 mg), following a prescription from his general practitioner in mid-June. He has been taking Alsove-DM once nightly and has been on Montair FX for the last two months, taking one tablet during the daytime. While researching today, he stumbled upon information indicating that Montelukast carries a black box warning issued by the FDA regarding serious neuropsychiatric side effects. This warning applies to both of the medications he has been prescribed, leaving him quite alarmed since neither physician had advised him of these risks prior to prescribing this drug. He is now feeling quite anxious about the situation. Here are some questions he has: 1. Are there any risks of addiction associated with these medications? How can one identify if they have developed an addiction? 2. If he misses a dose or abruptly ceases taking the medication, might he experience psychological withdrawal symptoms? The information available online seems quite vague on this matter. 3. Are there safer alternatives available for long-term management of his condition? 4. Is there anything else he should be aware of relating to these medications? Thank you!