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Not knowing what to expect as a good recovery

Posted , 3 users are following.

Drivealot
Drivealot

Hi...I am a 61 year old male and I suffered a pneumothorax in May 2015.  I had a motorcycle accident in Northern Spain suffering 9 broken ribs of which 8 were on the left.  During my time in hospital in Spain for 10 weeks information given to my wife was very vague due to the language barrier.  I was released from hospital 24th July and we flew home on the 30th.  I saw my GP on the 1st August and supplied all my medical notes that I brought home from Spain.  I was still offered no information or constructive advice let alone physio information and following several months I consulted a chest  specialist privately and this resulted in surgery (thoracotomy) in January this year at which time he found rib 3 had crossed over rib 4 behind the left shoulder blade which he realigned and generally tidied up the internal damage.  He has written to my GP and said there is no more that can be done surgically.  In my post op consultation I was advised to gentle excersize as much as possible and within three months the pain that I had been experiencing will be less and different because it will now be muscular.  However almost three months on I am still taking morphene to lessen the pain that becomes totally unbearable if I have to stand or walk more than 15 minutes.

Is this how life is going to be for me or am I just being impatient about recovery?  Is there anything I should talk to my GP about as lately I have a bad cough, mucus, increasing pain levels and wheezing which wakes me and keeps me awake around 3:00 am for the last 4 nights.  I just feel I am visiting my GP for the sake of it when all I get told is recovery will be slow and I need to be patient and then just get handed yet another morphene prescription.

 

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • MissMichelle
    MissMichelle Drivealot

    Posted

    Hey.

    Sounds like you have had a really tough time. I had a pneumothorax and lung surgery 2 years ago, it took me nearly a year to get over fully, I was in pain and tired for a long time. I think recovery is dependent on several factors, age, fitness, type of surgery, and mental attitude. I think yours is slightly more painful and invasive then the typical Pleurodesis surgery.

    What you have been through will take time to heal, mentally and physically, a long time and it will slowly get better and some days will be worse than others. I'm not a doctor and I can't comment on your health but if your cough is persistent then I would make sure I saw a doctor and maybe have a chest X-ray... When was the last time you had one?

    I know it's not easy, it's heart breaking and such a trauma to have to deal with but it will get better and you have to stay strong, I would walk everyday and try go just that little bit further, the body takes a long time to heal and scar tissue can be quite painful, remember what you have been through.

    It's been 2 years for me now and every now and again I get the odd pain that may last an hour or so but I was determined I wouldn't let it beat me or take over my life, some days I still worry that it may happen again but then I remain positive and sometimes still take every day at a time.

    I hope this helps, I know it won't change much but hopefully it will reassure you and help you take every day as it comes. Remember your worst days can only ever last 24 hours, no more and then it's a new day.

    Keep in touch and keep smiling when you can.

    Michelle.

    • Drivealot
      Drivealot MissMichelle

      Posted

      Thank you for your words of encouragement, it is so good to hear from someone that knows exactly how I am currently feeling.  It is a mixture of whys, what ifs and maybes that I get frustrated on a daily basis.  I feel that 11 months post accident that little has changed but then the sun comes out and I feel a whole lot better.  Thank you for taking the time to respond and it will be good to keep in touch if that is ok.
    • christine94335
      christine94335 MissMichelle

      Posted

      I encountered my first pneumothorax at age 17, and 3 mths later it happened 2 more times. I have been told it was due to being underweight, running, high impact aerobics, smoking... I quit smoking, it happened again, I put on weight..happened again, stopped high impact aerobics and running.. And yet again. Overall, has happened 7 times on the left, and 2 times on the right. I've tried every elimination of the DR.s findings and still happens. Very discouraging!! And very painful!! Dr told me I have Congenital cysts on the outer lining of my lung, and it just seems to be spontaneous, and only happens in the time that I sleep. I wake up, only to not be able to get up with the feeling of an elephant sitting on my chest...Frankly, in my option I feel my severe sleep apnea is a contributing factor. I seem to snore like a 300lb person... And only collapses after a night of sleeping, which isnt well rested due to the amount of interruptions I have each hour. I wish I had a Dr that could put a stop to Pneumothorax, so as to have a normal life. I enjoy low impact exercise, and stay toned, but still always yawn and feel fatigued continuously..
  • jenny04128
    jenny04128 Drivealot

    Posted

    Hi, 

    I am a 31 year old female, who started having spontaneous collapses when I was about 25, with no explanation (until 2 years later when it continued happenening, I was told it is because I am very tall, thin, and over active) . When I had my first collapse the doctors did no follow up with me, no patient education, nada. I had no clue of this condition and it seemed that no physicians in my area did either!! In fact it was a plastic surgeon who placed my first tube!! WTF??? Anywho, after my 3rd collapse a heart and lung specialist came to see me in the hospital and we opted for surgery. I was told that I would heal and be back to work in 6 weeks!! HAAAAAAAA!! Yeah right!! I've seen specialist affter specialist because I continue to get collapses even after having surgery. I have been off and on pain meds since I was 25. Every time I go to see my doctor she hands me another prescription for something else! BUT IM DONE!! The Meds are killing my body!! I have started using medical marijuana edibles high in CBD's and The CBD's act as a major pain relieving agent, and can even be used topically for nerve damage!! Halellujah!! I am getting my life back!! My message to you would be that as you can see here on this forum everyones story is different, everyones healing is different. Only you know your body, keep a journal and fight for answers, in reality, you may always have pain, but you will get use to the new normal for you. The hardest part for me was expecting to be the same me afterwards but that is just not realistic unfortunately but hey IM STILL HERE!! AND SO ARE YOU!! There are days that my pain is out of control and there are days when hey I feel alright!! I will say though from being an experienced pharma, the natural remedies have been more effective for me, and rest lots of rest listen to your body. If you are having mucus and wheezing unrelated to any other condition I would say that is a problem and perhaps requesting a CT scan from your physician is a good step. You have rights to send the results of your CT or anyother medical information to any physician you want, if you are feeling displeased with your current care get a second look. DRS MAKE MISTAKES TOO

    Wishing you relief and Comfort

    Jemma

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