<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.I have had shortness of breathe and a sore area by my left lower rib for 6 months . I cannot lay on my left side because of the pain and shortness of breathe it causes. There are no pulmonary doctors in my area. I have a history of pneumonia and a blood clot in my left lung.  <response>: 1. Since there is pain on breathing thus it is a PLEURAL pathology and Chest X-ray andor CT- Chest is must. 2. Have a consultation with a Pulmonologist first to exclude causes like: pleural effusion, pneumonia, pulmonary embolic, atelectatisis or any other cause of pleural pain.3. Until then:. Use a broad spectrum antibiotic or combination covering both Gram ve and Gram -ve organisms. Any analgesic which do not suppress respiration. 