Stressed because of moving

Hi Rosanne, your experiencing heightened anxiety which is making you feel this way. I'd suggest you visit your gp and get a small supply of benzos for the flight which will calm you down beforehand and during the flight. Many people get them for stressful events.

Neil 

Hi . You need to get on this flight now but the nearer it gets the more you will getvanxious . Agree with other post  . For this type of situation I would ask doctor for a small amount of meds to calm you, or perhaps you could try hypnotherapy,  you would have to pay, in U.K. ( about£50 plus) ??

With primary spontaneous pneumothorax your anxiety symptoms will be more frequently triggered. This is because you are more likely to feel pressure and breathlessness and this makes you more tense and anxious in turn and vice versa - anxiety will make you more aware of your chest presuure.  Your body will respond to the pressure of air in your chest by sending signals that you are in distress causing more likely adrenal reactions including fight-or-flight response. So your reactions are consistent with pneumothorax effects more than anxiety alone. Heightened anxiety and tension due to impending major life changes just seals the vicious cycle.

Recurrence of pneumothorax is likely in cases such as yours and so it will be good to just monitor this over time so that you can feel more in control and safe.

You should be able to resolve anxiety around your pneumothorax over time as you get used to the sensations and get steady reassuurance that you are ok.

As long as imaging tests were done (including CT scan), chest was checked for effusions, TB infection was ruled out, bloodwork for chest infection or inflammation and so on - there is not much else to be done.

There are ways of addressing this if it keeps recurring so you just need to keep calm, arm yourself with RELEVANT knowledge and have a plan for when you feel the way you do.

Talk to a pulmonary specialist to get some insight. I am assuming you were seen by specialist and not only ER pathologists?

Years ago, my husband and I were driving from Illinois to Massachusetts to visit my Mom when I had the first anxiety/panic attack I really remember somewhere in NY. Thankfully I wasn't driving alone as I had a number of times to save airfare costs (and avoiding the fear of flying).  Heart racing, hyperventilating and sweating we went to ER where they did all their tests and told me it was anxiety.  Thing is, I knew it was because going to visit Mom was always upsetting and never fun.  Years later I learned through counseling that she and my horrible childhood caused my ptsd which made sense.  I have always feared flying and have since had numerous attacks, but I refuse to allow the anxiety to keep me from traveling, so far we've been to 23 countries and I've flown twice to Europe and once to the Middle East alone.  OMG, sometimes the fear is nearly debilitating,  but I won't let it win.  I believe you are ok, I've not ever been told I had air in my chest (just figured that's usually where it's kept), but have several times gone the ER route and was always told I had no problems.  Thing is, you just got out of school, got married and are trying to move (and overseas no less).  Three huge (HUGE) life changes in succession.  Holy Cow anyone would have to be pretty tough,  I think, to handle all that in such a short amount of time.  Think about it.  I've had the help of Klonapin since they invented the stuff and I may up the dosage for extreme "occasions" but it helps greatly.  I can get severe panic attacks just going to the dentist (one where he actually drove me to the ER).  Embarrassing but not fatal.  Seriously take your time, relax however you can and ask your Dr about anti anxiety drug options. They are very safe. And, as you did, I apologize for such a long post.  Live long and prosper!

Yes if your lung had collapsed you would not be allowed to travel It could be something minor. Sometimes fistules or blebs form on the lung and when they burst the air ends up in the cavity. Sometimes this is due to an inflammatory response in the body. Have you recently had a chest infection (in the last 6 months?) Does anyone in your close family have pneumothorax? Do you have asthma?

Anyway, were you referred to a specialist to have a look at the situation? Lung specialist?