Second Pneumothorax
Posted , 4 users are following.
Last year I had a complete lung collapse, after a week of chest tube it inflated. This week I have had my second, only partial but man does it hurt. I am being referred for surgery now and am just at home recovering on some heavy meds and the lung should inflate on its own.
To be honest I am starting to feel a bit sad about the situation. I have smoked, used to be heavy and then cut down but obviously it wasn't enough. My lifestyle has always been pretty wild and busy and now as i sit here waiting for my lung to inflate, bloated from the meds making constipated, not working and unable to exercise I feel like its my fault and I am just really, really stupid.
I am due to fly to Bali on Christmas Eve, i'm worried i wont be able to go.
I am nervous for the surgery as well.
I think I might just be having a whinge but I don't know anyone who can tell me what their experience has been.
0 likes, 12 replies
louise36245 liz92700
Posted
Hi Liz
I'm in a similar situation. 1st pneumonathorax Dec 15 2nd 1st October this year and currently recovering from surgery on 16th October. I am as well a smoker but the consultant although he said he obviously doesn't help it is most likely not the cause! Since recovery meds are also making me constipated an all round fed up!!!! I have had 2 cigarette since leaving hospital and now regretting it as pain is unreal and have a chest infection. Google says recovery should be within 4-6 weeks so if all goes well you should be able to get on that plane x
liz92700 louise36245
Posted
I am not sure when I’ll have surgery, as this time was only a partial collapse I’ve been sent home to recover with rest and the meds (FYI still haven’t pooed and look pregnant). I’m hoping I’ll inflate in the next few days and can go back to work whilst I wait for the date.
That’s interesting your consultant said that. I have been sitting here blaming myself and feeling really stupid for doing this to myself.
What was the surgery like? What kind did you have?
louise36245 liz92700
Posted
I had a vats bullectomy and then they put talc in to stick the lung to the chest wall. It was hard but better than getting the drain put in awake!! I constantly beat myself up about the smoking as do my family but definitely can't blame it x
liz92700 louise36245
Posted
This bloody constipation is getting me down more than anything else right now!
dor08270 louise36245
Posted
hi
I also had a surgery with vat 3 years ago. and it was finr for a while. then last month after the 4th time it happen they put a tube under ct scan and cover my lung with talc. soooòooo sore. anyway wanted to know of the talc helping and if it won't happen again
marie_lowe dor08270
Posted
I have no collapses since the talc procedure. Have had it on both lungs. The issue I'm having now is the pleaural rub. Not happy.
dor08270 marie_lowe
Posted
marie_lowe dor08270
Posted
louise36245 marie_lowe
Posted
I'm in to my 3rd week after surgery now. I'm still in so much pain, I've had a chest infection and my right breast is still untouchable (possibly nerve damage). I've been told it's just a bad recovery and to give it time! So fed up, I know in the long run it's probably a good thing but just want a bit of light at the end of the tunnel
marie_lowe louise36245
Posted
Sorry to hear that. With this year's surgery, which was on my right lung, I was off pain meds in about a week and back to work in a couple. I coughed my head off for about a month though. On me, they went in through my side between a couple of ribs. My breast never bothered me. I hope your pain subsides soon and that you don't have to go through this again. As I said I have had it done on both lungs now, not pleasant.
louise36245 liz92700
Posted
He drain goes in just general anaesthetic. The 1st 2 I had was just local! Ask the doctors or chemist for a softener, hospital sent me home with them cos strain could make it go again, not brilliant but I've managed once in the last fortnight so better than nothing, sort off x
marie_lowe liz92700
Posted
I have had the talc pleurodesis on both lungs, left 3 years ago, right one this may. I never smoked and ended up with collapsed lungs I was later diagnosed with LAM. You all may ask your doc for a CT Scan to make sure you don't have that. It is a rare disease that strikes women. It stands for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Causes lung collapses. It has not beeb fun.