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).
I had a spontaneous pneumothorax about 2 months ago. It was a 10% collapse at first then went to 20% but I didn't get a chest tube. They sent me home in 3 days and I took off 3 weeks of work. My third day back at work I got really lightheaded and short of breath and went to my doctor immediately. I got an xray but it showed no collapse so my doctor recommended me see a therapist for PTSD. Well I haven't done that yet and I'm thinking I may need to because I keep having weird feelings on my left side where the collapse was. I'm scared that it's gonna happen again with every little twinge and pain that I feel. I'm looking for some support as none of my friends and family know what I'm feeling and think I'm crazy.
Back in November of 2015 I had a spontaneous pneumothorax. While getting ready for work, I developed this sharp pain in my should and back and shortly after couldn't breathe. My roommate rushed me to the hospital and into the ER where they told me my lung had collapsed 10% and I'd needed to be put on oxygen. After trying to fix it with co2 they decided to administer a chest tube. Once in, I laid there for 6 days with a tube in my chest and nothing was getting better. The doctor told me that on Saturday I'd go in for a Pleurodesis surgery which would remove the blebs that had developed on my lungs.
The surgery was a success and my lung was getting better. Flash forward to now August 2016 and my lung seems to be doing fine save for the regular pains that come and go as I recover from the surgery.
What scares me most, and what gives me health anxiety is while I was in the hospital a friend of mine passed away of a heart condition, he was only 22.
Because I experienced both traumas simultaneously I can help but get anxiety regarding my heart as well being that I am also 22. I know I need to disassociate myself from him because I'm not him, but I can't seem to stop thinking about it. And because my lung collapsed on my left side I get worried when I feel chest pain that it's my heart and I'm terrified. The anxiety comes and goes but when it comes it's strong and I can't stop it. I know that all the pain I feel on my left side is attributed to having lung surgery only 9 months ago but I still fear there is something wrong.
I've had my blood pressure checked multiple times and my X-rays checked multiple times, as well as EKG and everything show up as normal. But for some reason even after a doctor says I'm fine, I still can't stop thinking there is something wrong. So my question to this group is, has anyone every experienced this and overcame it, if so, what helped you the most?
Hope everyone is healthy and well!
-Ryan