Pneumothorax Support Group
A pneumothorax (or collapsed lung) is a medical emergency caused by the collapse of the lung within the chest cavity. It can result from: a penetrating chest wound, barotrauma to the lungs, spontaneously (most commonly in tall, slim young males who smoke), chronic lung pathologies including emphysema, asthma, acute infections, chronic infections (tuberculosis, cancer).
In September 2013 I was in the back of a pick up truck. We were going about 55mph when someone pulled out in front of us. He slammed on his breaks and as a result I was thrown backwards and hit the center middle of my back on the corner of a metal tool box. The girl with me hit her head so she went to the ER with obvious concussion symptoms. At the time I had seer shortness of breath and chest pain, but it went away within hours. I did have a nasty looking bruise, but nothing else.
Two weeks before Christmas of this year 2013) I caught the chest cold my mom had with a hacking cough. Christmas Eve I went to a walk in clinic with the cold symptoms, the cough, severe wheezing a chest pain. I don't have asthma or smoke. He diagnosed with bronchitis and gave antibiotics, inhaler and steroids. All the cold symptoms went away, but the breathing issues, wheezing and chest pain. The inhaler would only help for about five minutes when I needed it. I could barley make it up three steps and laying on my side was impossible because breathing became much more difficult. On January 4th (2013) I went to another walk in thinking the bronchitis has turned to pneumonia. My BP was up and oxygen saturation was 97%. Doctor actually listened to me because after loosing 30 pounds over last year I was much more active and couldn't be now. He listened to me and when he listened to my lungs he couldn't hear any sounds on the right and a chest X-ray revealed a complete collapse of my right lung. Needless to say the doctor was in shock especially considering my oxygen. I was sent to the ER and there they inserted a chest tube that was more like a drain (it had no suction). The procedure wasn't that painful just didn't like the feeling of the tube moving inside. Stayed in the hospital for a day and chest X-ray confirmed lung had inflated again. Got the tube taken out the next day and I can tell a world of difference. I was so fatigued, tired and had no energy, but now I feel great. Is this plausible that my lung failed over time? Is this how the doctors usually handle it? What is the likelihood of my lung collapsing again? Doctor said a 40 to 50% chance.
Two weeks before Christmas of this year 2013) I caught the chest cold my mom had with a hacking cough. Christmas Eve I went to a walk in clinic with the cold symptoms, the cough, severe wheezing a chest pain. I don't have asthma or smoke. He diagnosed with bronchitis and gave antibiotics, inhaler and steroids. All the cold symptoms went away, but the breathing issues, wheezing and chest pain. The inhaler would only help for about five minutes when I needed it. I could barley make it up three steps and laying on my side was impossible because breathing became much more difficult. On January 4th (2013) I went to another walk in thinking the bronchitis has turned to pneumonia. My BP was up and oxygen saturation was 97%. Doctor actually listened to me because after loosing 30 pounds over last year I was much more active and couldn't be now. He listened to me and when he listened to my lungs he couldn't hear any sounds on the right and a chest X-ray revealed a complete collapse of my right lung. Needless to say the doctor was in shock especially considering my oxygen. I was sent to the ER and there they inserted a chest tube that was more like a drain (it had no suction). The procedure wasn't that painful just didn't like the feeling of the tube moving inside. Stayed in the hospital for a day and chest X-ray confirmed lung had inflated again. Got the tube taken out the next day and I can tell a world of difference. I was so fatigued, tired and had no energy, but now I feel great. Is this plausible that my lung failed over time? Is this how the doctors usually handle it? What is the likelihood of my lung collapsing again? Doctor said a 40 to 50% chance.
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. "