12/25/2009 -- barb
I am 51 years old and had a pneumothorax approximately three and one half weeks ago. As a former professional ballet dancer, I continue to follow a disciplined regime of healthy eating, plenty of sleep, and rigorous exercise. I am considered by my comrades and friends to be in excellent physical shape. My workout schedule consists of a one and a half hour professional ballet class every other day with a yoga class on the odd day. Interestingly, there had been a notable difference in my normal yoga routine on the day of my pneumothorax. It is yet to be determined whether it was a causing factor. Nevertheless, when doing my yoga exercises, I was astonished to find that I had the strength to master numerous low to the ground push-up movements. Although I could feel that the movements taxed my chest muscle groups, the movement was fluid and resulted in no pain. I felt relaxed and energized after the class.
Another possible factor that led to my pneumothorax was perhaps having to breath extremely polluted air for approximately three days that caused a burning sensation in the same upper right area of my lung. When I returned home,I was still aware of this slight pain in my lung and hoped the irritation would subside.
During the evening on the same day of my yoga class, while attending a lecture, I suddenly became aware of pain radiating throughout my chest. I figured that I must have seriously strained my chest muscles from the pushups that morning. While driving home I also experienced a feeling of gas which caused burping for about one half hour. I thought tha tthe burping could be a symptom of food poisoning. When I got home around 10:30 p.m. the intense grabbing pain I was feeling in the center of my chest led me to believe that I could be having a heart attack. I also heard a clicking sound in my ears that sounded like post nasal drip. I knew something was very wrong. I called a friend who advised me to go to the emergency room which I did. After an hour or two and a chest X-ray, I was told I had heartburn and was released. The next morning I received a call from the hospital informing me to take an ambulance back to the emergency room since a second reading of the X-ray had determined that my lung had collapsed. When getting up, my body began to tremble and I felt faint. It felt as if a heavy weight had been placed upon on my lungs and it was somewhat difficult to breathe.
Immediately upon my return to the ER, I was given local anesthesia and the surgeon inserted a chest tube. I was given morphine to dull the intense pain caused by chest spams whenever I moved.
After one night in the hospital, an electrocardiogram, not an X-ray, was performed and it was determined that the lung had healed. The chest tube was removed in the afternoon and I was told I could go home. Upon getting out of bed, however, I again heard the dripping sound and experienced shortness of breath. I told the nurse that it had happened again. As a result,I was ordered to have a chest xray which confirmed my suspicion. The chest tube was reinserted into my chest and I stayed another two days in the hospital. Then given the choice by my doctor, I opted to go home for the weekend with the chest tube in place so that if the pneumothorax occurred again, I would not have to go through the pain of another reinsertion. After three days at home, under the care of a once a day visiting nurse I felt my lung had healed. i returned to my doctor's office to have the chest tube removed. I returned again four days later to get the stitches removed. I was told I could resume my usual activity but not to do anything that caused me to breathe heavily. My doctor gave my pain medication if needed. I did not take it.
All in all, I had had ten lung X-rays. One month later, the center of my chest still hurts and I am reluctant to go back to my usual routine until I am feeling better. Because I am concerned about getting a second pneumothorax, I have made inquiries about getting a CT scan in the hopes of gaining more information as to why it happened. Recently, there has been news in the press linking CT scans to cancer. As a result I am not sure whether it is a good idea after all. My doctor does not see the need for the scan.


Post Reply -- barb

12/05/2009 -- gareth
I had 3 sp's on my left lung about 4 years ago, after th third they gave me a bullectomy operation. This is key hole surgery making insitions under my arym, but you are completely knocked out. They then cut off an inch of my left lung, the removed the pleura, which is the lining between your lung and chest wall, this then should prevent the lung from collapsing again, although it it did i would certainly know about it. Four years later i am still suffering with nerve damage and n and otant pain on that side. Then about three months ago whilst at work in the hospital, my right lung collapsed, but only about 10%. But they will not do anything about it until it has gone again.
Post Reply -- gareth

11/02/2009 -- Stephanie Lucas
I am a 30 yr old mum of 2 and still having pneumothoraxes. First one I was 17 right side. A year later I had another, followed by 30 or so every 4-6 weeks. I had a plorectomy, followed by another 4 collapses on the right side where they then opperated again doing the pluradisies (excuse spelling). I also had collapses on left side which was then operatd on doing both procedures in one. To this day I am still having collapses, that sharp pain at the side of my ribs and very top of the lung and the 1000 tone presure on my chest so I can only take small almost pointless breaths followed with thecrushing feeling i my wind pipe. As I havehad the ops I am now uccompaied by a burning sensation, not toofar from the kind of lactic acid build up with poor posture. I dod not some and haven't done now for a number of years. Dr's can't assist any further so I have to live with it. I am trying to find out as much as I can about how this affects different people so would love to hear your storeis especially if you are in the medial profession and just brousing through for your own research. Its not just my life, by my 2 and 4 yr old children, my husband and after suffering so much I cannot acept that this is the way I have to spend the rest of my life. In total I am in excess on 130 pneumothorax's ranging from 5-50% over the last 13 years.
Post Reply -- Stephanie Lucas

10/30/2009 -- eyupkocabey
Dear All,

I had one year pneumothorax. I had 2 tubes right and left. They told me surgery to both lungs. I didn't accept. I had more than 40 pneuöothorax at 5-35%. Then I applied a special nutritional formula in 2004 July. After 1 month application I didn't have. I am healthier and now I am in world tour after Europe, MEA and now in South America. Please be careful for your nutrition.
Post Reply -- eyupkocabey

10/07/2009 -- Phelan
Hey guys! I have experienced my first pneumothorax (spontaneous) in june and had VATS surgery wedge resection with plerodesis (spell check lol) on my right side. My concern at this time now is that I am having pain on my left side which is opposite the surgery. It's not constant pain but it comes and goes all day. I feel it in my upper left back, lower left back, upper left chest, left side and what feels like my upper left abdomen (like around the top of the stomach). Like I said it is not always constant and the pain hits different spots at different times. I experimented with trying to do a sit up using just my ab and my right side let me know that it was still very much not able to do so but i dont get too much pain on that side. Has anyone else experienced this during their recovery? I've been telling myself it's normal but it's been freaking me out and doctor's have all said its probably just because my right side is weak. I am afraid I have like stomach cancer or something. I know it sounds crazy but sometimes I feel like the shooting pains drain my energy and they just seem so weird. But i never had anything like this until i had the surgery on my right side. I've never had anything done on the left. If anyone can relate please let me know. Thanks!
Post Reply -- Phelan

10/07/2009 -- phelan
sorry just realised i put this in the wrong place sorry
Post Reply -- phelan

10/02/2009 -- Ward
Thought I would share my experiance: 6'7" 240lb male very athletic

23 years old: 10-15% pnumerothorax, got an xray and it went away after a week or two

25 years old: Back pain for 2 days, tried to get physio to manipulate back as I the tightness was causing shortness of breath. Finally remembered the feeling of first pnemo (air bubble when I changed positions) so I went in for xray.

I had a 50% left lung collapse, but was still able to move around on my own, albeit with the lung capcity of a 80 year old. I got a small chest tube put in that day. (NOTE: ask for a small 5mm dia tube instead of the "garden hose" it is much more comfortable!)

After 7 days with the chest tube, trying out various levels of suction etc I still had a leak. CT scan showed two blebs on left lung. After getting bumped a few days over the weekend finally went in for surgery...

Three very small cuts under the arm, they endostapled the blebs and left me with a new "garden hose" chest tube.

NOTE: I asked them not to do the pluradisis, aka mechanically sticking the lung to the wall, the doctor agreed that unless there was significant damage beyond the blebs it wasn't needed. I think this might have been why my recovery was so quick and painless...!

3 days after surgery I had the chest tube removed and was discharged. After a week and a half my scars look good and lung capacity is getting better every day. Almost at the point now where I can walk without being short of breath.

Overall:
-Double check if Pluradisis is required, it will likely cut down short term and long term pain if you don't need it!

-Get it done ortho! Unless there is a reason, this is the way to go. If you doc doesn't do it, find a better doc!

- I asked my doctor about talc etc. without surgery and some people here have had. This is note the route to go and only seems to be done to save costs. Here is Canada it is only done if the lung is so damaged or old that surgery isn't an option.

Hope This Helps!


Post Reply

09/30/2009 -- Justin Bren-White
It was 1988 when i had my 1st pneumthorax. i was on holidays with a buddy and we were starting our final year of school in 2 days. I started to feel very short of breath and thought i had a really bad cold. I often asked my friend to punch me in the back to get the Flem off my lungs(to no avail).
i made it to school 2 days later only to collapse and taken to hospital with hours to spare, as my heart had moved across my chest and was up against the ribs. It was an amazing relief to be able to breath when they punctured my lung and insert a tube to remove the positive air pressure out side my lungs. I had 7 SP until they operated. I accidentally assisted one of them in hospital when i pulled the tube out whilst pushing myself up the bed. The tube was sitting between the ribs and the skin, so the air was blowing out the hole in my chest and also going up between the skin and ribs and caused air bubbles in my neck area. The chemical treatment was a terribly painful option and felt like a nest of ants where biting me inside my lungs. The operation was completed and has been smooth sailing to date. only to see my left lung collapse in 1990 exactly 2 years later. they operated straight away and the lung collapsed a couple of months later. however it has never been a problem since, thank goodness. i feel so lucky to be able to do so many normal things that others with lung problems may not be able to do easily. there is nothing better to be able to take in a deep breath of fresh air. i'm terrified of smokers around and as my lungs are so very precious.
Post Reply -- Justin Bren-White

09/29/2009 -- Ms. Jaimie Blackstone, PE
Had my left lung collapse on me twice in 2007, with VATS on the secont time. First 6-month was mostly an invalid on pain pills. Finally getting my strength back now, but noticing some 'things' are different:

I get these pains when I over exert myself during the day requiring a couple of tylenols at night to sleep - not too bad.

When I exert myself, my heart really races to the point of feeling like it is pounding on my ribs - a bit concerting but still manageable (just stop doing what I'm doing when it races).

BUT - the heat overcoming me and sweat thing is totally wierd! I'll take a shower (no longer able to take a 'hot' shower... warm only) and get out, look in the mirror and there's this demarcation line down the middle of my face - left side is white as a ghost and the other side red as a beet. In the heat I'll sweat under my right arm but not the left (nor the left side of my face, nor on the left side of my torso...) - using a micro temp instrument I find the temperature on my left side (arm, temple, etc.) after being in the sun a bit will be 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the same spot on my right - the left side is bone dry, the right is cool and clammy. So, the conclusion is (which makes sense as my doc said to stay out of the heat) that I am very succeptable to heat stroke now. I used to love hot weather (from/live in Georgia, USA), but now I can not tolerate a temp above 80 degrees (all temps referred to here are in farenheit).

Non-smoker, 56 yr old female, slim and trim.
Post Reply -- Ms. Jaimie Blackstone, PE

09/17/2009 -- adam
Hi. I have just been discharged from the hospital after being in there for 5 days. I was laying in my bed, kinda sitting up playing a game on computer (My posture was horrible) I felt a slight buildup of something in my lungs or throat. I then made a big cough and then the problem started. My chest (left side)steadily tightened and began to hurt more and more. As with most chest pains that i get, I tend to make sure I'm around someone as it is happening, so I left the room and joined my girlfriend on our couch. After seconds of sitting my chest tightened and pained me so much that I could take only the weakest of breaths, as I began to worry my heart began to beat really fast...and then faster and my breathing was very fast paced but I was taking in very little air. I began to pass out but for some reason I didn't completly pass out. It was then that I told my girlfriend Jessica to inform our landlord that we needed a ride to the emergency room (we don't have a car or transportation).
The landlord immediatly drove me to the hospital where I waited for a few mins to get an x-ray. The Overnight surgeon came and told me that it was pneumothorax and that i would need to stay overnight for observation and if it didn't go away by itself I would need the chest tube.
The next morning, the pain was almost gone, however I got another x-ray and the dr immediatly brought me to the O.R. where he gave me a local anesthetic and put the tube in. I remained in intensive care for 3 and a half days after which I got another x-ray. The following day the dr. said the tube could be taken out and I could go home the day after. So here I am looking over a website I never knew existed for a problem I never knew could happen. But I'm thankful for this website and all of your stories. I am over 6 feet tall and weigh apx. 129 pounds. I WAS a smoker, not anymore...The time I spent hospitalized was a good chance to quit smoking as I didn't think about it but as a previous poster stated your mind and body still feel the effects of quitting smoking which is unpleasent but smoking was the last thing on my mind.
My girlfriend was so helpful during my time in the hospital and I hope nobod has to deal with anything like this alone.
I was curious as to whether if I gain weight and put some fat and muscle on my chest well it decrease the risk of it recurring?
Post Reply -- adam

08/24/2009 -- Joe
Has anyone experienced a feeling that the cut where the chest tube went in (and the VAT procedure) feels like it is pushing against your ribs (two weeks after the staples are removed)? Also can you tell me if you have experienced constriction of the trachea as if you were being choked?
Post Reply -- Joe

08/19/2009 -- Sarah
I have had several spontaneous pneumothoracies since March of 2006. I've had 3 chest tubes...one on the right and 2 on the left..but for the most part have been lucky enough to have them resolve on their own. Unfortunatley it has taken over my life, and due to the unpredictability of when it may occour, I am unable to work and do lots of the things in life I would love to do. I have decided to go about trying the surgery in a desperate attempt to change my life, but am unsure on what to expect. Anyone have any experiences with a surgery to correct this problem that's a female?? And I would love more than anythng to travel the world...anyone ever fly on a plane after their surgery?? I find that my chest frequently hurts when I breathe even when I do not have a pneumo...will those pains go away after? What do the scars look like after?? Where are they? Should I kiss any future bikini modeling goodbye??Ive tried asking a doctor these questions but they just tell me what the procedure entails...not too much about what happens after and such. Oh kay, cool. I guess thats all I have for now...
Post Reply -- Sarah

01/15/2009 -- Victor
I can’t say that my life was ruined but SP has changed it.
You may find that my experience isn’t so terrible since I have never had a
big SP (spontaneous pneumothorax), but I hope it’ll be useful for some of
you. Here my story comes:
Before my first episode of SP I had quite active lifestyle. Since my
childhood I was completely involved in outdoor activities such as
mountaineering, climbing, backpacking and free-diving. I wished to travel
all my life all over the world especially to remote areas.
It was the august 2006; I was 19. After my return from the Tien Shan
Mountains (where I had done some climbings to the mountains of height up to
4800 m. (16000 ft.)) I went to the lakes where I was snorkelling. Two weeks
had passed since then and I had to return to the University where I
studied. In a train I had deep dry cough for some time then I felt
discomfort in the right side of the chest and when I got to the dormitory
it struck me. At first I felt pain in the chest and have a feeling that my
right lung shifted while I was walking at a fast pace or descending the
stairs. Then I realized that when I bent my waist I had a strange bubbling
feeling in my chest. I phoned my mother to ask what it could be (she is a
doctor). She said that it probably could be a nerve or muscle pain and that
I should wait till pain goes away. So I was relieved (actually I had pain
only when I did physical activities that is why it didn’t bother me much)
and went to hospital where I did fluorography (because every student before
moving into dormitory should check chest for tuberculosis).
Next day when I returned to the hospital for the result, doctor said
that I should do x-ray since she found something in the result of
fluorography but she wasn’t sure what is it. So I did x-ray. Then doctor
with anxious look came to me and asked whether I fell or was beaten. I
understood that the thing I had wasn’t just a nerve pain and become quite
nervous especially when doctor said I needed to be hospitalized to a
surgical department. In the surgical department I was told I had
pneumothorax (by that time I already knew what it was since in
mountaineering school I studied how to treat it), but it was small and
probably it would resolve without intervention. So I decided to go to the
dormitory.
There were times when it seemed that it had gone but after two weeks
pain had returned and I had to go to the hospital where I did CT. It
revealed that collapse had increased to 40 % (but I felt as if it was small
one since I felt pain only when I was walking). I had a needle aspiration;
unfortunately it didn’t help so I was advised to have VATS. I have no
choice but to agree and surgeon said it would cost some money in spite of
the fact that it should be free. I immediately realized that it was bribery
and said that I would pay after surgery, but of course I didn’t intend to
do so (I know that the doctors in Russia have quite low salaries, but it’s
cruel to ask for a bribe from the person in the lurch). After surgery
doctor said I had three blebs which were eliminated and they found the
source of the leaking air in my chest, it was a small hole in my lung,
doctor called it fistula and said that it was cauterized. Also they did
local pleurodesis (as it later turned out it was too local that it didn’t
prevent the second SP). Having a chest tube was quite painful so I asked
for stronger painkillers but doctor said that only narcotic painkillers is
stronger than that I received but he can’t give me them and I had to put up
with the pain. The next day after chest tube was pulled out I had something
strange with my right eye, namely my right eyelid was half-open and my
right pupil was smaller than left. Doctor said that there was nothing to
worry about because it would resolve. Unfortunately it hasn’t resolved and
it seems to me that it will never resolve. Apart from my right eye after
this surgery I got malfunction of blood-vascular system on my face, namely
after long physical activity such as long distance running the right side
of my face becomes red and the left remains the same as before running.
About one week after the surgery I began to cough, than cough had become so
intense that I barely could speak. It was horrible, but after one month the
cough had ceased.
Doctor said SP may happen again because of my lean constitution but
the probability of that event was 30 %. He also warned me that I ought to
give up all my hobbies that include physical activity and changing
atmospheric pressure i.e. mountaineering and free-diving and forget about
lifting heavy things i.e. backpacking. I felt as if all my life was crushed
I couldn’t imagine how I was going to live without beautiful mountain
landscapes without the feeling of discovery and adventure. Finally after
long reflections I decided that my life should be lived to the full
whatever circumstances will I have. It would be a miserable life, if I
raised a modest rampart, against the winds of travel, thinking that
man-stifled city can offer security and confidence in the future. So,
learning how to treat tension pneumothorax was the first thing I did. I
also recalled some techniques which I was told in mountaineering school
then asked a friend of my mother (he was a surgeon) for recommendations how
to do needle decompression and made my anti-SP kit that consisted of a big
syringe, local anesthetic, and a system of small tubes (actually this
system is intended for blood transfusion) – I always carry it during trips
to the remote areas such as mountains.
Three months after the surgery I did a winter backpacking in the Ural
Mountains. Everything was fine and I returned to my normal life. In the
summer of 2007 I did three-week backpacking and then in winter of 2008 I
had a backpacking in a quite cold weather conditions. As a result, I got
pneumonia (in the right lung) which then gone. I enjoyed my journeys and
forgot about SP thinking that it will never happen again. How naive I was!
In the july of 2008 I had an academic trip and on the way home while going
by bus (again in transport) I felt familiar feeling of bubbling in the
right. After three days I went to hospital where my concern was confirmed
by x-ray. This time it was small SP (about 15 %), but doctor insisted on
hospitalization so again I was in hospital (I would never did it if it were
not for the health certificate which exempted me from military obligations)
where I was just observed. It was terrible to be in this hospital (although
it is considered to be one of the best hospitals in the city). Doctors have
never revealed the information about my recovery process; the people, in
the ward where I was, were crimes and homeless, it was unbearable to be
among them – they were smoking in the ward, taking drugs. Very unpleasant
place it was. Doctor said that since it is the second time SP happens on
the same side I’m highly recommended to do open thoracotomy. I refused; I
would rather die in the silence of the nature than in this disgusting
hospital.
Three weeks after my second (I don’t know when it actually resolved
but it seemed to me that by that time it’s gone) SP I went to the Ural
Mountains and then to the Sayan Mountains in the Siberia where I climbed to
the the mountains of height up to 3000 m. (9800 ft.), everything was fine.
Three weeks after the return from my trips I felt sharp pain in the left
side of my chest. I thought I had a big one, but as it turned out this SP
was about 10 % (but the pain was more intense than in case of 40 %!). It
resolved within two weeks.
By the way, my roommate also had two SP in 2008, but he was more
fortunate than I since he had his second episode while he was in the US
where he did VATS with total mechanical pleurodesis. He says it will never
happen to him because his surgeon said so, well, time will show.
Now I realize that sometimes it will happen to me, it’s an inevitable
part of my life. Although there is no any way to prevent it, I think I
should make some changes in my life, namely, begin to exercise, eat healthy
food, move to another place of living (in my dormitory I’m always exposed
to second-hand smoke and in addition I live in the city where is a bad
environmental situation). My mother says I should try some breathing
technique (for example Buteiko breathing technique) may be it will help me.
Never give up.
Post Reply -- Victor