12/28/2001 03:11:10 AM -- rtdrury
I've had occasional bouts of what seems to be sp for as long as I can remember. Each time it only lasts a few minutes. It can be extremely painful if I inhale deeply. About half the time I fix it by taking a deep inhale causing what's out of place to pop back to it's normal position curing the problem. Or I'll just breath short breaths and it goes away after a few minutes. I have a theory about what's happening - each lung isn't just one big sac but two or more individual ones overlaid on each other. The edge of a higher sac gets bent under, getting hung on a lower sac and the bend gets stresses more on the inhale. It always stops hurting when it pops back into it's correct position.
Post Reply -- rtdrury

12/27/2001 09:42:18 PM -- Alston
I'm an 18 year old male, 5'8, 120 pounds, fair skin and red hair. Sounds more like an ad in the personals, but i know the physical description of a person is the only thing they have linked this disease to. I have recently quit smoking after my second collapse in seven weeks. I had thorascopic surgery after the second collapse. This disease is definitely emotionally taxing just as much as it is physically damaging. I sympathize with how little is known about this condition and i'm sure many of you have said "why me?" I am a freshman in college, but i had to withdraw from my first semester at the university because I was unable to make up three weeks of tests and finals. I'm so frustrated and depressed. By some calculations that i've made... in the united states, a person has a 0.003% of having a pneumothorax. I hate feelin tired all the time. I despise the chest pain that keeps me up at night. I'm so frustrated with my parents for making me go to a community college and living at home in paranoia that something else might happen. I'm the baby of five children and i understand their concerns no matter how irrational they truely are. My parents are very smothering and "managing" of me even though i'm a very independent person. Being at home adds to my stress and makes my physical symptoms worse. How do i give them peace of mind to allow me to return to university and hopefully return to normal and leave this behind. If anyone has any questions or needs a confidant that has been through the same situations, feel free to contact me. Good luck fellow sufferers.
Post Reply -- Alston

12/28/2001 10:56:06 AM -- brenda
I have had 7 SP's and strongly believe that some of them were directly related to personal stress. But I would recommend that you give them as much info on the subject but it is important that they understand that you can be sitting on the couch still for hours and it will fall. Maybe you DR can be a great tool!!!!
Post Reply -- brenda

12/18/2001 07:37:20 PM -- Chelsea
Hi there. My boyfriend got Pneumothorax about 3-4 weeks ago now (2nd December), and we are flying to Australia next week (December 27th). He's a little concerned about flying and doctors say its really risky & he may die. He didnt get the tube in the side of his waist or anything so I dont think its that bad. Anyone had anything similar happen to them????
Post Reply -- Chelsea

12/21/2001 04:14:30 AM -- Tracey
Hi Chelsea I am an Airline Pilot in Australia who just had surgery to fix a sp. They did recommend that I do not fly with this condition so I had surgery.I recommend you contact the medical brach of the Federal Aviation Association FAA and get advice from the aviation doctors.My thoracic physician did not allow me to fly again unless I had surgery.
Regards Tracey.
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12/13/2001 04:00:42 PM -- Bob
Hallo,
I'm wondering if anyone knows of a live chat room online where people can talk and discuss their knowladge and experiences? If anyone knows of one please contact me at freemorph@hotmail.com or reply here.
If i dont find any existing online chat group in the comming month, specifically for people who have suffered from Spontaneous Pneumothoraxes, then i will be starting a chat room very shortly.
Anyone willing to join in or help maintain the room please email me.
freemorph@hotmail.com

Thank You
Post Reply -- Bob

12/18/2001 04:46:27 PM -- Bob - followup
I couldn't find any chat rooms so i've opened one myself at:
http://www.t35.com/pneumothorax/
I hope its helpful for anyone looking for support by simply being able to chat online with others who have similar conditions.
Post Reply

12/08/2001 08:51:21 AM -- marianne
Hi, I've just had my second sp pheumothorax,the day before yesturday in fact. On both occassions I have been aspirated in the A&E department, admitted the first time and sent home after the latter. I am beginning to get concerned because no one seems to know how long I should stay off work for. The first one three weeks ago left me knackered, sore and dizzy for nearly three weeks. This time they seem happy for me to return to work on monday. Even though I was aspirated and felt fine to come home, yesterday evening i felt it collapse again, this time i just went to bed and I am hoping it will resolve itself (unless it becomes unbearable). My questions really are this how does anyone hold down a job with this condition? Having had two pneumo's in three weeks I am not sure if I am going to be employable at the moment as the future is looking uncertain re recurrence, surgery etc. I am just about to qualify as a registered nurse but I am unsure if I will be able to get a job with this recent history. Does anyone else have a similar problem or any suggestions? any response gratefully received.
Post Reply -- marianne

12/27/2001 09:26:54 PM -- Alston
I recently had my second pnuemothorax and surgery about a month ago. They happened 7 weeks of each other. I'm a college student so i can somewhat relate to the stress and physical exhuastion i'm sure you're suffering from. For the first 2 or so weeks from the surgery, my doctor ordered me not to lift anything over ten pounds and take it very easy. He emphasised that i listen to what my body is telling me as far as physical exhaustion. Its so easy to get tired and i have minor chest pain frequently. However, each week that goes by i feel much better. I had to withdraw from the past semester because it would be so taxing on myself to make up all the material i missed from three weeks away from school. Basically what i'm trying to say is listen to yourself. No one can put a date on it because everyone heals up and copes differently. If you haven't had surgery yet, I would advise you to do it. The thorascopic procedure is very safe and I would recommend going to a thorasic surgeon. The surgery gives you mcuh more peace of mind and recurrences are extremely rare. Good luck and God bless.
Post Reply -- Alston

12/21/2001 04:10:10 AM -- Tracey
I just had 27 days off work due to recent sp which was resolved by surgery. The procedure was video assisted thorascopy and pleurodesis, this was highly successful. In the past I had several sp during my employment which is my job as an airline pilot and this created great pain. I have been cleared back to work to operate as an airline pilot so I feel if you have the procedure too you will have no future problems. But I must say that I recommend you have an epidural for pain management ( you will thank me for this) you will be in hospital for about 6days well thats what they do in Australia anyway. Good luck. Tracey.
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12/31/2001 03:03:56 PM -- marianne
Hi Tracy, Thanks for reply. I've just come out of hospital after having a thoracotomy and pleurodectomy, I didn't really have a choice in the end as on my third collapse,aspiration did not work. After my operation I had two chest drains in which showed that I still had a leak. After two weeks with the drains and suction one drain was removed and I have finally been let home with one tube in situ with a heimlich valve attatched. I have just got to wait until the 9.1.02 when i have to return to the hospital to have it removed (I hope). I am glad that I have had the surgery because although it is taking a long time I know that when this tube comes out that will be the end of it.
Post Reply -- marianne

12/05/2001 10:59:38 AM -- Jackie
I am a 40yr old female, slim and small(a non smoker) and in July of this year (2001) had my first sp.I suffered for a whole day at work believing I had pulled a muscle. The morning after the pain was so intense I went to the DRs and was rushed to hospital with a 90% collapse. Chest tubes didn't work so 1 week later had an apical bullectomy and pleurodesis. 3 months later I retd to work (Oct)however for the last 2 months I have been having the familiar gurgling sensation in the bottom part of the bad lung, together with pain and breathlessness. I went to hospital to get an X-ray and the DR said my lung was still inflated - so what is going on? This again happened 2 weeks ago but symptoms have subsided. I have noticed that it happens 3 days before my period is due - have heard of catamenial pt, but should I pursue it further with DR given that the symptoms subside or am I doing myself longterm damage not getting it treated? Great web site! Thanks for any replies
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12/06/2001 10:27:22 PM -- Heather
Hi there,

If the correlation with your period is strong, definitely talk to your doctor about catamenial pneumothorax. It seems that some thoracic surgeons have heard of it, but few have seen it. If you have surgery, INSIST on having a gynocologist present. Thoracic surgeons frankly don't know what endometriosis looks like. I know a thoracic surgeon who had a catamenial pneumothorax patient and collaborated with a gynocologist to perform the surgery. He acknowledged that he never would have found all the endometriosis otherwise. I saw this doctor myself and think highly of him. Drop me a line and I'll put you in touch with him.

cheers,
Heather
heather_badenoch@yahoo.ca
Post Reply -- Heather

11/29/2001 04:45:13 AM -- Simon
If my pneumothorax is on my right lung, would that have any affect on my left lung collapsing in the future?

Would playing sports with heavy or hard breathing have any affects on my pneumothorax occuring again?

I would appreciate any answers or comments to my questions?
Post Reply -- Simon

12/27/2001 09:29:51 PM -- Alston
If you have only had one collapse, the chances of having another are pretty high especially if you smoke. I have recently had my second collapse and surgery. Whenever it happened, i was simply walking in my dorm. I'm surprised you're not feeling any chest pains from the heavy breathing. However, my doctor told me after my first collapse that after six months i could pretty much return to normal. Good luck!
Post Reply -- Alston

11/27/2001 12:56:10 AM -- Karla
hello there.. it has been a while since I was here. I think I was possibly one of the originals on this website, and my story was posted. It is strange to come back, and see so many stories similar to mine. Anyhow, I had my surgery and interesting discovery in July of 2000. And the last problem I had was Feb. of 2001.. but it was the other lung and healed on it's own. I was potentially misdiagnosed for 5 years. I was complaining of chest pain to my doctor, and he continued to tell me that it was an infection or something. I knew that it was something else and sought another opinion. After doing so I found out the truth and was "fixed" by a wonderful surgeon here in Illinois. A year and a half later, my mom got this lawyer... to see if we have a case. I think that this is fairly uncommon, and maybe my old doctor just never suspected. Regardless, the new one told me to get a chest xray first thing. So, I was looking over my surgery reports and records tonight, and saw that one of them says that I have underlying obstructive lung disease. And I was like "what?" This was never discussed with me. The diseases that I came across were bronchitis and COPD. Neither of which I was aware that I had. I feel fine! I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience, or has obstructive lung disease. Email me if you do.. I am a little shocked to find this out. Thanks and happy breathing. -Karla
Post Reply -- Karla

11/18/2001 02:57:59 AM -- Ryan
I had my 3rd SP last sunday (11/10). Had the 1st in April of 1998, and the second in November of last year. Yes, I'm 6'4 185lbs, so that probably has a lot to do with it. On the first 2 occasions, I was at the ER immediately, but on the 3rd, I decided to hold out, as on the first 2, the ER did NOTHING for me (NO TUBES, NO SURGERY). Today, however, (6 days later) I decided to go just to make sure, because I still have the clunking on the left side and the pain coming and going. Sure enough, now it's only 5%!!! So, THIS IS THE MESSAGE TO YOU ALL, you can get through it without medical attention if it's not that serious. I know that this last one was probably 20-25%, but I held out, DID NOT BREATHE COLD AIR, TOOK HOT SHOWERS, AND DRANK LOTS OF WHISKY. I guess I just need to move to the equator to get heat 24/7/365. I do everything normal, race dirtbikes here in Southern California, go to school, and work full time, and I'm not going to let this hold me back. Gook Luck To You ALL.
Post Reply -- Ryan

11/17/2001 06:46:07 PM -- Clare
Hello, I had my first pneumothorax a couple of months ago. X-rays a month ago show that it has totally resolved, but my chest still hurts. It seems to hurt mostly on the opposite side from the pneumothorax. One doctor said it was costochondritis, another said pleurisy. Is it common to get either of these conditions after a pneumothorax, and how long usually before it gets better? Thanks very much for your replies.
Clare
Post Reply -- Clare

11/20/2001 08:24:53 AM -- Lee
The pain is common afterwards. It will decrease in time. I still get the odd pain that can last up to 2 days. my last pnuemothorax was 1 year ago.
Post Reply

11/10/2001 01:36:19 PM -- Traci
As I sit here and type this I know that my right lung has decided to take a break from breathing for a while (meaning it has collapsed AGAIN). I do not want to go to the dr or ER as I know all too well what will happen. So, for now, until I absolutely cannot breath, I will take it easy and hope that it heals on its own by monday (which is when I can call my dr). I hate this!!! I hate feeling like this!!! and I wish there was a cause for this so that it could be prevented!!! I'm just soooooo frustrated right now. I know that the frustration will subside but I just don't want to go through the surgery again. It has left me with permanent damage on the left side and now the right side goes hay wire! Anyway I'm just venting, thanks for listening. Take care all!!
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11/06/2001 08:36:28 PM -- Patrick
I am living thru my 5th one right now, if you have any questions feel free to e-mail me
Post Reply -- Patrick

10/23/2001 11:37:48 AM -- Anna
Hi there

My fiancee just had his third SP. The first SP was being treated with the chest tube. 2nd SP cure by its own. Now he's having SP on both lungs. Anyone out there ever experience this before? What will the doctor do ? Is a surgery been done on both lungs, or each lungs one at the time. Thanks for your reply
Post Reply -- Anna

10/11/2001 10:40:01 PM -- Kathy
I had my first SP on 10-5-01 located at the top of my right lung (am unsure of the %). I had a chest tube put in and have drained lots of liquid. Had Dr. appt. on 10-10 with x-ray showing lung not fully inflated. My tube seems to clog from the liquid and protein. When I cough nothing moves in the tube and there is no fluttering. Dr. emptied tube and hooked it back up. Today, 10-11, one day later, I seem to be going through the same thing. Is this normal with these chest tubes? Any suggestions on how to get it working again without paying the doc another $100 to blow out the tube? I am supposed to return on 10-15 with x-ray but I feel like I am going to be wasting the next four days with this tube not working properly. Thanks for any help.
Post Reply -- Kathy

10/30/2001 10:22:17 PM -- jason
this is jason and im 22 i just got out of hospital after having chest tube insertion and then finally surgery for my sp. it sounds like you are at home with a chest tube which i never heard of. i was at the hospital and it was hooked upt to a pleura-vac and suction. the suction created the fluttering action you were inquiring about. when i breathed, i would kind of see the blood move in the tube. all i can say is that there should be some kind of suction on the other end, but yet i do not know youre exact situation. i hope i helped a little. i really hope you feel better soon. im still very sore.
Post Reply -- jason

10/13/2001 06:11:21 AM -- david aiston
i have had 20 SP 8 on my right and 12 on my left side but i probably had more i had 3 operatons now my fist was in september 92 i had a plurectomy onleft side then in december 92 i had my right side done they pinned my lung i was alright for 7 years then the right side went again this time i had a pluradises the in august of this year the problem has come back and i have got some shadowing on my left lung which the doctors are concerned about
Post Reply -- david aiston

10/11/2001 10:32:05 AM -- Randy
On 10/3/2001, my oldest son had an SP while sitting in class at school. At age 17, 6'-4" tall, 170 lbs, healthy, non-smoking, varsity basketball player, the only risk factor he seemed to have had was being a tall, thin male. He was admitted to the hospital and a small chest tube was inserted and then put on vacuum. Two days later, with the right lung fully expanded, the doctor turned off the suction and left him on a water seal. The next day, the lung had dropped some, so the doctor pulled the small tube and installed a larger tube and then restarted suction. Three days later, the suction was stopped and he was again left on a water seal. The lung dropped some again. The suction was again restarted and that is where we are today. The doctor is recommending to keep him on suction for a couple of more days and then remove the suction to see if the lung stays inflated. If this fails, he will be recommending surgery.
The doctor thinks that the next option would be to perform surgery and cut out the hole and staple it back up. He thinks that the scarring procedure carries too high of a risk for someone young (he only recommends scarring for much older people with lung problems). What do people in the forum see as the next option? I would appreciate your comments. Thanks!!!
Post Reply -- Randy

10/22/2001 08:26:08 AM -- Geoffrey
I'm also 17 and I'd the surgery - the scarring procedure. My doc didn't tell me anything about risks, but he did warn me if I do not want a reoccurence which is 20% and doubles every reoccurence, then I better have a surgery and I had.
Post Reply -- Geoffrey

10/22/2001 08:25:54 AM -- Geoffrey
I'm also 17 and I'd the surgery - the scarring procedure. My doc didn't tell me anything about risks, but he did warn me if I do not want a reoccurence which is 20% and doubles every reoccurence, then I better have a surgery which I had.
Post Reply -- Geoffrey

10/22/2001 08:25:13 AM -- Geoffrey
I'm also 17 and I'd the surgery - the scarring procedure. My doc didn't tell me anything about risks, but he did warn me if I do not want a reoccurence, then I better have a surgery which I had.
Post Reply -- Geoffrey