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woman of 42 and I had instant spontaneous pneumothorax

Posted , 2 users are following.

arial_sky
arial_sky

I am a woman of 42 very enerjetic but one morning I woke up with the most severe pain in my rignt shoulder and pain down my arm I started crying because I was scared my husband told me to get an ambulance but I said I would be ok, I got dressed for work I dropped the twins off at school then went to work, I walked down to the hospital that is where I work and my boss took one look at me and told me to get to a & e, I went for the x ray then was taken stright to HDU and they told me my lung had collapsed and they needed to put a tube in god I have never felt pain like it, I cried and screamed all the way through, after that I was put on the ward and 6 days later it had not healed up there was a hole in it so they had to transfere me to leeds where I could have the operation done, I had a tiny bit of my lung removed and it was stuck on to my chest wall with irritant powder it helps the lung stick better, when I came to after the operation I was in so much pain and the tablets were not helping they were trying all sorts to get it right, I have been home nearly two weeks and the pain is still there but not has bad its more my ribs and across my stomach and that is what is worrying me and the chance that I might have to have it done again and also there is a 40% chance it can happen to my left lung, I am so scared to do anything in case it happens again, but I am glad I had it done, but it goes to show it can happen to any one :wink:

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • bamawife
    bamawife

    Posted

    Hello all,

    I am a 56 yr old lady, had my first and hopefully ONLY pnemothorax on April. I spent 4 weeks at our local hospital, had 2 surgeries and every complication they could think of, but I'm back, bad and better smile I, like Arial Sky had a hole/leak they couldn't find, the VATS didn't solve the problem, tho it did bring me another problem. . Subcutneous Emphesema (Lord what a frighting mess that was!). But I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis, and I have been on many remittive drugs for it, While doing some research, I find RA, Embrell (one of the meds) COPD, all are indications I may have a rematch with this evil chest monster. I am very into NOT having arepeat of this painful condition. I am NOT smoking smile

    I have asked my physicians (3 of them) about not resuming the Embrell, because if it is a choice between arthritis and a collapsed lung, I will cheerfully deal with arthritis.

    My physicians have all been so good to me, couldn't ask for better care, however, I would prefer never to have to see a lung man ever, much less a thoratic surgeon. Can anyone please give me your opinion? I am not asking for advice, just your opinion as to what you would consider.

    Thznk you so much!

    Bama

    P.S. Sorry for hijacking your discussion, but this is thwe closest I have found to someone going through what I went throughin many weeks of research.

  • shaz36
    shaz36

    Posted

    Hi all, I had a Pneumothorax in May and July 2013. Felt like a ton of bricks on my chest! VATS in October, bullectomy, pleurectomy and pleural abrasion! 2 chest drains and how they hurt coming out!!! Since then I have had small effusion twice with no treatment, a feeling of tightness below my right breast extending around my rib cage and also a numb feeling. Yesterday I felt the fluid bubbling again and a discomfort in my right chest area. I just feel this is not right however when I contacted my thoracic surgeon he said the fluid should disperse. It did but it's bak again! Surely this should not happen? When I breathe in there is a gurgling sound and a tight feeling around my chest wall, although not overly short of breath! At this stage I'm questioning has something been missed? I would appreciate anyone's opinion on this? Many thanks. Shaz36
  • bamawife
    bamawife

    Posted

    Hi all,

    I would definitely be seeking an appointment asap. I had a similiar experience, I am still having problems. Infact, starting to wonder if I will ever return to my old energiser bunny self, I took a tumble down the steps, I think the edge of all 5 steps hit right on the incision. I much better overall, but still sob, still have chest pain. But I am walking, using my inhalers, etc. My worst pain is under my left breat even though the incision stops an inch or so short of it.

    Good Luck

  • shaz36
    shaz36

    Posted

    Hi bamawife, thanks for replying. Here we are not sleeping at this time of the morning! My lung just doesn't feel right at all. I will contact the consultant again in the morning. Hope u feel a bit better soon. May thanks.
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