Returning to work after pneumothorax chest tube
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I am 46 year old female. On 11 dec i rolled my quad and tore my lung. It was only diagnosed on 06 jan and by then 100 percennt collapsed. I had a chest tube inserted that night and a suction pump. This was in for 4 days. Day after it was taken out - tues 10 jan i was discharged from.hospital. 2 days ago i got horrific pains and swellingbover ribs. Infection diagnosed this morning. I was supposed to start my new job 9 jan. They agreed to wait till 16 jan. I an nowhere near readyy for work. Can anyone else tell me how long they were off work?
0 likes, 2 replies
Frayniac deedee1970
Posted
Hi deedee. I'm 28, tall slim and had it happened to me after getting off a long haul flight and cycling to work. Mine collapsed in June. I had the chest drain and tube, was in hospital for a week. When released I felt something was not quite right and it had in fact collapsed again. I still get a weird pulling sensation and sharp pains. I found it really hard to tell if it had collapsed or of these pains were normal. I was actually off work for 4 and a half months as I was not coping, having pains, and struggling to return to normal things... like lifting a kettle etc. However it's hard to say. Some people spring back fairly quickly like it's no issue. One thing though... I think ghost pains, aches and uncertainty are common ongoing. I think I should have gone back to work earlier.
ann2322 deedee1970
Posted
I am a bit older than you and just had a VATS for fungal ball in lung. THen after MANY days in the hospital with pneumothrax and air blowing throughout my subcutaneious tissue, I went back for a pleurodeisis, doxycycline wash. Finally got home after 18 days and the got an INFECTION. Boy, was I sick. High fever and malaise and coughing up clear copious mucus. I am still kinda sick and its been 2 weeks. The xray showed a "haziness" over the effected lung and I was put on antibiotics.
So work. As an anesthetist, I move a lot, so I plan to be off for 3 months. I cannot move patients, etc. Also, I must say my mind is still mucky from all this. I know I am late in writing, but just wanted you to know my travails!