Recurrence Pneumo

My daughter has had 3 ranging from 10-25% within 2 years. She has had no surgical intervention. She flew after the first with no problems. We were told to wait one month. Some have suggested surgery for her, but many people have pain following the surgery that doesn't go away for years if ever. Do not feel pressured to rush into this surgery. Do your own research. As our pulmonologist said, "you can always have the surgery. You can't undo it."

Hello, I've had several pneumotorax - quite a few as a matter of fact. I was warned that flying could provoke a pneumo but was not forbidden to fly because if I were to have one flying, I was told, I also would have one doing whatever. What I was discouraged to do was scuba diving. My experience is in line with this; if you are to have another one, it doesnt matter what you do (unless it is extreme, such as scuba diving).

As for the surgery, I guess you could wait. Its only been your second one, and three years apart from the other one. I must tell you, though, that the surgery you would most likely have, would be rather simple and not that much painful - the worst for me was the reaction to the anesthesia -. If I am not mistaken, I stayed one week at the hospital then around ten days at home resting. This being said, I had the surgery after the second pneumo, they were no more than three months apart from each other.

Most important thing is not to let yourself worry too much. There are many people - like me - who are in a worse situation (Ive had surgery twice - including a resectomy of a bit of the lung - and may have been left with pain forever, I still hope it will go away some day). So you can consider yourself lucky ;-)

Best wishes

With my experience, mine happened a third time and I did go through the surgery.  Everytime a chest tube was inserted, it was more painful than the last.  This whole experience has been quite painful and i don't think it gets any better with time.  I just recently saw a specialist and they suggested I don't fly.  Now, whether you can or not, i would definitely seek your Doctor's opinion.  I didn't want the surgery however, my three instances were all happening like clockwork; every first week of the month and my Doctor suggested that I should have it because chances are, it would happen again.  I would be interested on what the change would be for you to have another reoccurance two years later.

Thank you for your replies.

I was told that almost everyone get the surgery done after 2 attack and hence I should not wait as it can be fatal. I really wanted to know if it was fatal. Knowing ppl like your daughter having 3 and still no surgery is making me re think about it. 

The same happened with me lundgren. The anesthesia reacted really bad on me during my first Chest Tube insertion. And took almost 10 days to get discharged and also around 2 months to recover completely.

Hence I am so reluctent in getting the surgery done.

I also wanted to know if I can concieve or not without getting this surgery.

I have been to many doctors as of now and all are giving mixed reviews. Thus making it more complicated to decide. And me being away from my country its even getting worse.

If anyone of you have any clue about- if I do not take any flights and other things like scuba diving and lifting weights, and have no recurrence also after 2-3 years, will I be still at high risk to get 3 attack or the risk factor will subsidise as per years?

Becasue if this is the case then I will wait and not rush for this surgery.

 

My first pneumo was an 80% collapse but I wasn't as lucky with the chest tube, and after 3 of them inserted over about 3 weeks, they resorted to surgery. After each was pulled my lung recollapsed. At this point I was hoping for surgery as you know the pain of a chest tube, it's not fun and obviously wasn't working. I can say i do not regret the surgery. It took about 2 hours, I was out of the hospital about 5 days after, and I was off work for about 2 months after. I went back to work with slightly adjusted work restrictions in regards to heavy lifting. I was on T3s for about a week after then regular tylenol did the trick and after a few weeks I found I didn't need any painkillers anymore and haven't since. It's been about 10 months since my surgery and I do have soreness sometimes, as well as some nerve damage around my left side but that's mostly from the failed chest tubes. I can't tell you what's right for you, but there's no way to prevent a pneumo and living in fear of another isn't a great way to go either. But don't be afraid of the surgery if that's what you decide- the recovery was okay and more bearable than chest tubes from my experience. I do expect to have to deal with soreness from time to time but that's just part of the deal. And a nice pack of ice helps.