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).

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Spontanious1117 04/23/2017

I am glad to have found a support group for SPT's and Bleb's/Bleb Disease. On Jan.1.2017 I went to the E.R it was strange because I felt fine really but when I laid on left side my heart was making a audible clicking noise like a popping joint when beating. This went on for 2 days before I finally decided to go. They did a Xray and asked me if I had ever had a Pneumothorax before, I was thinking what on earth is that??? So they procedded to tell me and explain what was going to happen. Mine started off @ 20% I stayed in the E.R for a few hours and when it did not get any better they went ahead and admitted me to the hospital, the first 2 days I was just on oxygen to try and get it to heal its self but it was not working so on 1/2/17 they did a needle asparation which made my left lung collapse from 20% to 40% and at this point they had to insert the frontal chest tube becasue I was having trouble breathing. Well from 1/2/17 to 1/6/17 I had that in still not getting any better, so on the 6th I had the surgery. He did a Thoracoscopy,Mechinal Pleurodesis,VATS and a Wedge Resection. I woke up to find they had taken the front chest tube out and inserted one into my side/back (a much bigger one) I had this from the 6th to 1/14/17. Finally on the evening of the 14th he did a chest Xray and CT and my air leak had sealed they took the tube out and I stayed for 8 hours for observation and one last xray and my cardiothorastic surgeon determined I was OK to go home after being on and off water seal and suction for 8 days. It has been 3 months since I had this done and I am not the same as I was. I seriously live in constant fear it will happen again and I have nerve/muscle damage from the surgery. I was actually wondering if anyone else has expierenced this afer having this happen and the surgery. I need to know if I will ever really get well, I also have bleb disease BUT he said that they were of no signifance and to live my life and just be happy.. but I am having a hard time, this was a horrible expierence, mind you it has been 3 months if not more and everytime I work out or over exert myself I get the feeling like rain water is trickling down my arms and stabbing/burning pain on the undersides of both arms and back... I just want this to go away so I can live normal again, thanks guys I hope all is well.

Rendar 03/24/2018

I was just released on thursday and im in exreme fear of it happening again as well. I had the surgery and they took a good section. So its been nerve racking becuase ive always had a good ling capacity and now goong upstairs can make me short of breayh but im still recovering so the nurse said just take it slower and wait a little while. But i have to return to work on Tuesday or i wont have money for rent in time. I will be on light duty but syill scared i have a bit of nerve damage theres this huge numb spot on my ribs and pains in my shoulder that were part of the reason i went in. Some of the forums ive been to for info scare me more then anything i see so many people talk about multie times of this and i cant do that i was awake when they put the chest tube in and it was mentally breaking the amount of pain it cuased and now that im out they gave me varely enough meds to last a couple days i might make it to tuesday but when i was in they gave me tons and it still barely helped so im in lain all day everyday atm tryi g to make the polls last long enough but at night its horrible and vy the time i wake up im ready to cry from the pain and i can barely move my left arm till the meds kick in.

jenny6522 05/21/2018

I ignored my pain thinking it was indigestion. After 3 days I went in to check I had a complete collapse on my left side, heart being crushed and everything!! Inevitably they had o do a chest drain straight away. The most horrific pain!! I was on 11 days of suction and still bubbling away was told I need surgery and both lungs had large conjoined blebs on them but they’d only operate on the one that collapsed. Anyway all of a sudden the bubbling stopped and I somehow managed to self heal. I was told to go home and take it easy. This is now 12 weeks post drain I have the worst anxiety! I am a very active person and I have now started to do physical exercises as before. I know my risks but I feel I need to try and do normal life. Doc said I’m good to go but just listen to my body. It’s ironic
I lost 12 stone in weight, quit smoking 5+ years ago and hardly drink. And I’m only 32. Very sad.
I’m not usually one for groups but I’d happily go and visit one to talk about people who are going through it, my husband tries but no one can really get it unless they have had the drains and the fear.
My plura space has lots of pains due to the tubes. I think every pain must be evaluated and not jumped at.
Good luck everyone.

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