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Left and Right lung Pneumothorax

Posted , 3 users are following.

antonia58931
antonia58931

Hi, i really hope somebody might have some answers or knowledge from what I have been through with Spontaneous Pneumothorax's.

I had suffered 3 small minor spontaneous Pneumothorax's on my left lung my biggest being a 5cm collapse from the top. From seeing specialists yet found that it could be getting caused by blisters bursting in the lung causing air to be released. Thus being I qualified for lung surgery where they would do key hole, get rid of any blisters then staple and glue the lung to the wall to prevent any going forward if any more were to burst. Surgery went well, I had a chest drain for 5days following and have only just recovered a month on now.

This morning I woke up feeling great, slowly getting off my painkillers dreaming of a glass of wine and then felt sharp sudden pain on my right side which I knew would be a collapsed lung. Sure enough we went into emergency and my right lung had collapsed 5cm.

I really want to know if anybody else has had both lungs collapse or if they had blisters or know why this happens? At the same time I do hate and hope nobody has gone through this pain and trauma because it's horrible but I would love answers!

Thanks

Toni x

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • jonathan123
    jonathan123 antonia58931

    Posted

    Hello

    I have had spontaneous on both lungs. I've had key hole surgery on both. Although my lung has collapsed even after surgery. Touch wood this doesn't hapoen but I had a tension pneumothorax on my right lung. Therefor had slightly more complex surgery which is plurectamy.

    So yes it can happen on both lungs. I think it just comes down to bad luck!

    I hope hope his helps.

    Jonathan

    • antonia58931
      antonia58931 jonathan123

      Posted

      Very bad luck! I had never heard of anything like this with lungs until the first couple of collapses on my left. But never imagined my right would start after fixing the problem. I hate how there any not many answers as to "why" it always comes down to "unlucky" or "unknown"

      Whats tension pneumothorax?

    • jonathan123
      jonathan123 antonia58931

      Posted

      Description below. Basically it's a lot worst than a spontaneous pneumothorax and can be fatal if not dealt with quickly.

      Tension pneumothorax is accumulation of air in the pleural space under pressure, compressing the lungs and decreasing venous return to the heart.

      Tension pneumothorax develops when a lung or chest wall injury is such that it allows air into the pleural space but not out of it (a one-way valve). As a result, air accumulates and compresses the lung, eventually shifting the mediastinum, compressing the contralateral lung, and increasing intrathoracic pressure enough to decrease venous return to the heart, causing shock. These effects can develop rapidly, particularly in patients undergoing positive pressure ventilation.

      Causes include mechanical ventilation (most commonly) and simple (uncomplicated) pneumothorax with lung injury that fails to seal following penetrating or blunt chest trauma or failed central venous cannulation.

      I always hear that slim people tend to get it. It is bad luck. Saying all that I'm 35 and have not had a problem for 3 years now!

    • antonia58931
      antonia58931 jonathan123

      Posted

      Oh gosh!! I'm very glad to hear everything has been well since! It's a horrible horrible thing! Yes well I'm on 24 and probably considered slim, nobody warns you that being healthy and slim can cause a very major issue with lungs! As you say, very bad luck!
    • jonathan123
      jonathan123 antonia58931

      Posted

      Well I hope it all works out! I don't have any restrictions in my life... smile apart from a sky dive!
  • beth02617
    beth02617 antonia58931

    Posted

    There there are conditions that can cause SP's. For example Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, A1AT, Marfans Syndrome, LAM, lung cancer, blebs disease.... My daughter was tested/screened for these with all coming back negative. She has had one collapse on the left and two on the right. Unfortunately, sometimes there just are not a lot of answers for why it happens.
  • beth02617
    beth02617 antonia58931

    Posted

    There is a group on facebook that has over 900 members. They are also a good resource for asking questions. Just type in spontaneous pneumothorax in the search bar and it should pop up.
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