Yep , I have had 2 (actually 4 if you count the re-inflates) Surgery on both sides. I am probably a better weather man than the weather men. I seem to have alot of trouble with cold and hot temperatures, but when it is between 50 and 75 degrees, I feel pretty good. The scar tissue is some of a hindrance at times but that is part of it I guess. Yes I do worry that it will happen again, and hope that it does not because with the COPD now I am not sure that anything would work at this point.

Thank you so much!! It is nice to hear from someone else who has gone through it. What is COPD?

This was posted by another member here at DS, it explains it very well.
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease. COPD is a general term used for several lung diseases. The most common diseases in this group are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic asthma may also be included in this group. While some patients with COPD have only chronic bronchitis or emphysema, most patients have a combination of both. COPD worsens gradually, causing limited airflow in and out of the lungs.

COPD adds to the work of the heart. Diseased lungs may reduce the amount of oxygen that goes to the blood. High blood pressure in blood vessels from the heart to the lungs makes it difficult for the heart to pump. Lung disease can also cause the body to produce too many red blood cells which may make the blood thicker and harder to pump.

Patients who have COPD with low oxygen levels may develop an enlarged heart (cor pulmonale). This condition weakens the heart and causes increased shortness of breath and swelling in the legs and feet.

My combination of COPD/Emphysema and all the scar tissue from the Pneumothorax surgeries, makes for some interesting days trying to breathe.

I do not know if you smoke or not but if you do you may want to consider quiting now before it gets worse.

Hope this answers your question.
Best Wishes,
Wes

WOW that is a lot to swallow. Thanks for the info. Thankfully I do not smoke and don't intend to start.

Thank You for your response. I would be more than happy to answer any questions that I can for you.The Pneumothoraxes were caused from blebs on top of the lungs that had burst and forced air between the lung and chest cavity. The COPD is from being stupid and smoking for 35 years.
Take care and I hope that you are feeling better.
Wes

hi im kinda new to this site. I had 2 lung collapse's, 1 at 20%, and another at 60%. Have not had anyone since. Although i never had a major surgery, my sister did. And i do still smoke with no problems yet. but as i was told that the blebs can rupture anytime. What is that COPD. My sister has had nothing but problems since her last surgery. She says shes always in pain and her one breast is kinda numb, is this normal?

First, let me tell you most of my medical is not normal.
1st pneumo 5/89 rt side
2nd pneumo 6/89 rt
3rd 7/90 left
4th 8/92 rt - surgery
5th 9/95 lft- surgery
Again, this is not normal. I hope you have better luck than I did.

To: hlpme1212

After my surgery my breast and arm both still have some numbness and it was 13 years ago now. IT is a very painful surgery...and usually requires physical therapy depending on where they make the incision and how long your laid up. It should get better if she takes good care of herself with eating right and excersing....and NO SMOKING ;0)

Hi

I was rushed in hospital with a 100% collapsed right lung march 08, as this wouldn't heal they decided to operate. They stuck my lung to my chest wall and I had the vats.
I still suffer with pain were my scars are, on my lung and alot of numbness on and around my breast.
My consultant says that this is normal and that it is going to last fo quite a long time.
How did all of yours happen they think that mine might be from emphysema, but there is alot of doubt at the moment.

Hi I am new to this site. I had my right llung collapse four times, 2 times were major.. had to have a tube put in! the others were at 20%.
I had major surgery to glue my lung to my crest wall. Ever since then I havent had a problem.

The best thing to do is to focus on today and not the future. I have suffered from 7 pneumos so far. Worrying about the next will tear you up inside.

Try not to worry to much. Get into some fun hobbies and enjoy life. That is the ONLY way I have made it through this mess.

i had my first when i just turned 18. im now 19 and have had five. on the first one they went in and cut off the bleb and stapled it. on the last one they did the pleurodesis surgery and ive gone three months without another. im afraid to have another one because the doctors said after the pleurodesis it would be more difficult to simply insert a chest tube

I agree with jakedelsolsi... enjoy life and stop worrying. The pain is unmistakable after one, so just get to the hospital. I have had 5, all on the right. After a VATS and pleurodesis (talc & chemical) it happened again (twice). This last time there was a 3 year gap. I was back to working out and normal life and not worried. Most of my lung was stuck but I had a 30 % collapse inbetween lobes. It's been 3 weeks and I still have pain & gurgling but they injected doxycline so the surgeon says it's fluid and inflamation.
Zakk, it's not true that they can't put a chest tube in after a pleurodesis. They can under C.T. guidance. I am a medical professional but the best thing you can do is to educate yourself and speak up since alot of physicians just do not understand what we go through!
Mine are thought to be a rare Pneumo called Catemenial that only females get during cylces on the right side only. Anyone else on the board have CATS ??

I have felt the same way. And while I still haven't really come to terms with it, I do better when I just try to get through the day. And each day I don't have to go back to the hospital and be attached to the wall is a blessing to me. When I start thinking about the things I'll miss out on down the road is when I really get myself worked up. Have you tried to talk to a therapist about it? If you do and it helps, please let me know what they said that helped you, I'd like to know too!

" I had a SP in 1985, because of genetic blebs it became a Hemothorax. Happened after stress and tiredness end of nursing school. I am 5'9 and slim. They put in chest tubes but the bleeding wouldnt stop. I had 21 units of blood transfused. Still hadnt worked my BP went down to 50/0 they did a emerg thoracotomy, back then no endoscopic so long scar. It was winter and when rekeased from hospital 10 days later it was very cold out i felt like i suddenly couldnt breathe. That lung is stapled but they said the other lung could go the same sometime.
I still feel out if breath like a heaviness on my chest or like asthma in very hot humid weather and my heart rate will go up too fast in that humidity too. Also very sensitive to pollution and especially any tar smells if a roof or road nearby is being tarred.
I was never a smoker and otherwise healthy
I read there can be a connection wirh a Sclerotic disease that can be genetic , and yes the blebs i was born with. I read this disease can also manifest with kidney abnormalities. I have doyble ureters to each kidney( no issues) and no frontal sinus.
I have had only one bladder infection in my life but i got a high fever and my liver enzymes went sky high. Ghey thought i might have hepatitis (negative) and i am not a drinker.
My grandfather had emphasema and my mother had atherosclerosis i dont know if theres any connection"