Life after a Pneumothorax

Hi

I am a 37 year old male who suffered my first ever SP just three months ago. My right lung collapsed around 70% and the only thing that I can put it down to, was a fall that happened a week before. Strange really, the pain wasn't so great but the breathlessness was noticeable. Had the tube, the first procedure failed since the coil or whatever inside decided to twist, so had to have another reinserted. Dear lord above, I have never experienced a night like that where regardless of what type of pain relief was administered, nothing was able to prevent the onslaught of some of the worst pain I think I have ever experienced. After a sleepless night, the following morning at around 11AM, the tube was removed as the lung had re-inflated to its normal size. I was discharged a few hours later.

Three months on. Since the cold weather has arrived, things have decidedly taken a turn for the worst. Pain has started to creep in, aching along my shoulder and from time to time, a sharp pain which comes in pulses has appeared. The pain starts from minor and slowly progresses up to a quite substantial piercing pain, it is like it follows the pulse of your heart rate. The pain subsides and disappears completely but returns four or fives hours later. 

To add insult injury, there is also a gurgling sound from the area where the collapse happened, but I have no breathlessness. Checked up with the Hospital who did the relevant checks and nothing has been reported out of the normal. Some lungs can apparently leak air after a collapse for a considerable amount of time, sometimes permanently without any major issues associated to a repeat collapse, but I find that quite distressing personally. 

I guess all of us who have suffered this will follow the same road. I agree also that we should move forward and not let this affect our entire lives in a purely negative way, but I feel that there should be a lot more research done on what happens afterwards, instead of exposing sufferers to the prospects of surgical procedures. What I would have liked is more information on what foods or exercises that can help towards the healing process. I mean, I was discharged with no follow up appointment, it was like "There you go, job done, enjoy your life". There should be more information provided by medical bodies at the end *or is it the beginning?* of the SP.

Sorry for the somewhat negative post, was feeling on top of the world until this nightmare decided to remind me that it is still there. 

Hi Michelle

I am 44 years old and was diagnose with sacardosis 10 years ago.. , last year was the worse my right lung collapsed twice had surgery... thank God am still alive it was very scary...now my left lung collapsed Friday currently still in the hospital waiting to see if am having surgery done.... But just wondering is there anything I can do to avoid my lung to collapse ,I know my lungs are damage due to steroids, and still waiting if i get a lung transplant .... can't really do anything without being out of breath hate it not being indepedent..... any advice will be appreciated just trying to get better ....

I started having chest pain when I was 15 and went to the doctor multiple times only to be told I had anxiety which turned out that my left lung was almost 100% collapsed very close to having something fatal happen if left untreated.  Ended up having a pleurodesis on the left and right side 6 months later and can still feel the effects almost  8 years later.  Most days I feel great but other times I have extreme shortness of breathe and I feel like i need oxygen.  Doctors say I'm fine when I go because its one of those you can't fix it unless its broken kind of things which sucks.  In terms of exercise I do everything besides weight train.  What I found is any exercise or activity is fine until you get to the point where you need to push your self to the next level to participate.  For example you can lift weights but don't try to max out on a movement trust me its nothing but trouble for a few weeks till you feel better.  Its crazy how this thing has a mind of its own.  One remedy that helps me is take a real steamy shower and just take slow deep breathes in the hot room it seems to help me calm things down but the most important thing it to be relaxed.  Ive been told repeatedly that its hard to have something collapse again after having the pleurodesis but who knows some days im seconds away from wants to go the emergency room and the next day I could feel fine so its hard not to seem crazy to some people.  Its important to stay positive.

Going through the same, have quit smoking and Intend to continue to do so for a few months. Am typically healthy and have strong blood pressure, my father tells me he had the same thing when he was my age. Any advice in regard to smoking going forward? I intent to take it up again at some point and the only advice I can get is don't- not very useful?

Hello everyone I am a 28 years old male tall but not very thin. My right lung completely collapsed 6 years ago and to be honest it didn't bother me so much then. But just at the end of January 2018 my right lung went again this time I am very bothered. I can't work I have three young children to care for and now I've been told I'll have to travel 150 miles for a lung op. Which I'm totally freaking out about because all I've read is it's painful and its a slow recovery. Is the operation successful or is their a chance it will happen again. The specialist was apologising to me as if I've been givin a terminal diagnosis. It really didn't help make me feel positive about it. I care now because I'm a father to young kids and my job is at risk. I have debts to pay never mind everything else that costs. So I guess what I'm asking is after the op and long recovery can my lung still collapse. Or will my left lung go next.