Myasthenia Gravis Support Group
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...
Hi everyone, I Am currently about one week post op from a thymectomy and thyroidectomy. Good news is that aside from the usual discomfort I am pretty healed in the surgical sense.
Unfortunately I had a post op complication with a lung collapse, which seems to be the biggest thing to heal. I've heard many of you talk about how the oxygen level is not what should be tested, so since his is my first lung collapse and my first breathing issue (at this level) since ex, can anyone tell me what test is what? I would like to ensure his shortness of breathe which is slow to go away, is a result of he lung collapse and not a loomingg crisis ... Either one is scary but the treatment can be diferent.
Maureen
Unfortunately I had a post op complication with a lung collapse, which seems to be the biggest thing to heal. I've heard many of you talk about how the oxygen level is not what should be tested, so since his is my first lung collapse and my first breathing issue (at this level) since ex, can anyone tell me what test is what? I would like to ensure his shortness of breathe which is slow to go away, is a result of he lung collapse and not a loomingg crisis ... Either one is scary but the treatment can be diferent.
Maureen
I've never experienced a collapsed lung but I've had pneumonia a couple of times. That was miserable so I can only imagine how you must be feeling. After my left thyroidectomy my breathing was a big issue and especially right afterward. That was the one part of healing that took the longest so that may be contributing to your slow progress in the breathing area. I would ask to be referred to a pulmonologist who can follow you no matter what is causing the issue. Please keep us posted on your progress and I hope you get better soon. Hugs!!
Maureen
I had a thymoma dx. and did not have mg. After my thymectomy, I also had a collapsed lung. After I got home , I noticed a had shortness of breath. At first the dr. said it was due to my lung. But it continued and got worse. Follow -up said my lung was fine, so I was sent to see a pulmonologist. He said it may be asthma and gave me an inhaler. This didn't help. I went to the local ER numerous times because I couldn't breath. I was told I had anxiety, because my blood oxygen was fine. ( I know now that doesn't really mean much with mg. When I finally had a full blown crisis, I went to a larger hospital. I was then dx with mg.
I would make sure your neuro is aware of your breathing problems.
Take care
Judith. .
Sorry you are experiencing so many difficulties. Having a Pulmonologist in your list of doctors is a must. When we experience breathing issues due to the MG the O2 levels won't tell anything; we will have them at the right level. The Co2 levels are what we need to look for. In your case with a collapsed lung, both tests should be run to make sure that the full spectrum is under control.
I hope you get better soon!
With the one lung, not fully recovered from the collapse?
It may be - that the other lung, just can't purge enough CO2. When your blood CO2 rises, the brain sends out a message, to breathe more rapidly.
That actually - causes more CO2 build-up, and more SOB.
** Question. Did you also have to pass a Respiratory Therapist test, before you could be discharged? That was a problem for me, once. It slowed my hospital discharge, by 4 days or so.
You are right, to be concerned. Others have reported SOB, after a thymectomy. Sometimes, it was just the shock of surgery. Othertimes it was MG, taking advantage of a weakened patient.
The newer-models of oximeters (that clip on your finger) - can measure CO2, as well as O2. (The newer-models are not in widespread use yet, mostly still in major hospitals, at least here.)
Also: I just remembered - I get a regular blood draw, called a CMP, a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel. There is a line on the report, for CO2. I just looked over a few of those CMPs, and when I was having periods of difficulty with breathing, the CO2 did show as too high. A blood draw for a CMP is pretty easy, pretty standard (when your blood vessels are okay).
And: there is also an Arterial Blood Gas test, which can be done to check CO2. I think a draw, for an arterial blood gas, requires a RN. Not sure why, but then I have been very lucky, getting very skilled nurses & phlebotomists, in general.
Keep us posted! Bless you! - Ross
Walmart's $35 version
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Choicemmed-Oxywatch-Fingertip-Pulse-Oximeter-1ct/17325061?action=product_interest&action_type=title&placement_id=irs_top&strategy=PWVUB&visitor_id=56354738074&category=0%3A976760%3A1005860%3A1077045&client_guid=daa85dee-fe7b-4120-8e6e-f8293057841a&customer_id_enc=33914725598d7bc436bf6e9fce4d273c&config_id=2&parent_item_id=20419784&guid=25af576a-a796-4bf1-a771-c85ff271749b&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n
If you are in the mid 90%s or above --great. 80s not so good. This test is also used for checking on sleep apnea--if your blood oxygen levels fall at night you may have stopped breathing and need a cpap machine.
As an educational aside, pink and blue for baby colors comes from boy babies being born somewhat blue and girl babies somewhat pink at least sometimes. Possibly since boys are bigger, they are squished more on the way out--anyway the blue indicates low oxygen levels. You may see this in an older person with congestive heart failure or other oxygen level problems in the bluish fingernails.
It appears i am out of the woods for now, Now I am resting to heal whatever else needs healing and hope the MG symptoms randomly disappear... yea i know.. be patient....