Comments on: Spontaneous Pneumothorax Patient Network

By: Branch

Branch — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 12:56:25 +0000

15 years after VATS Surgery for SP. Had 2 SP's within a couple of weeks in 1999. First time spent about a week in the hospital with chest tubes and breathing became normal. Went back to work via flight to my destination and my right lung collapsed again, probably from the cabin pressurization. After trying to inflate my right lung, ended up with VATS surgery. Now, after 15 years, my right lung has not collapsed but I still experience periodic chest pain, especially during barometric pressure changes from weather changes. Also, numbness resulting from nerve damage still with me. But, what is much worse is that I am getting progressively worse with shortness of breath. An example, I get out of breath merely teeing up my golf ball. I am currently trying to get some medical help for this condition but I don't think the Dr's know what to do about this condition or maybe they don't understand it. I was never a smoker and I am a very active 80 year old very healthy white male. Anyone experience the shortness of breath after their VAT surgery?

By: stephen

stephen — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:29:48 +0000

just had pneumothorax surgery 5 days ago i am now home an in pain feels like my lung is twitcing at times an short of breath is normal and how long will the pain last

By: Kiren

Kiren — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:07:30 +0000

I'm a 17 year old female and was 16 when i had a spontaneous pneumothorax in my right lung. However i called NHS direct for medical advice who told me it will pass and there is no need to go to hospital, therefore i did not go to the doctors until 4 days after the lung first collapsed, my surgeon told me he rarely sees such a bad collapse and that had my lung moved over slightly more i could easily have died :/ I had 2 operations not long after one another, the first to reinflate the lung and the 2nd was a pleurectomy and bullectomy. Both operations were incredibly painful, the first i was awake for and found incredibly painful although i didn't tell the doctor that the anesthetic had not worked properly. The pain and time i spent in hospital were awful and i missed a lot of college work because of it. I am recently experiencing twinges in my left lung and am quite worried this lung will collapse at some point in my life :(

By: illaiegg

illaiegg — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:29:05 +0000

hey evry1, i’m an 18 yr old 5’10” tall lean college going guy… and am still recovering from a spontaneous pneumothorax of the left side… my lung collapsed not more than 30% and doctors just kept me under observation as the condition was recovering by itself… but i’m still vry anxious whether it may recur or not…i am a non- smoker & have got healthy habits; i’m an academically bright student and have got high ambitions, but am afraid whether the condition may have any effect on my life…pls advise….

By: Paul Dickinson

Paul Dickinson — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:55:11 +0000

My email is psdicko1416@sky.com, forgot to add that bit lol

By: Paul Dickinson

Paul Dickinson — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:54:02 +0000

Hi all i had my first sponÃÂtaÃÂneous pnemothÃÂoÃÂrax when i was 20, spent around a month in hospital everything worked out well so carried on with life but with constant pain in my chest.
My next double sponÃÂtaÃÂneous pnemothÃÂoÃÂraxes happend when i was 22, just sat at home then bang pains on both sides of my chest, not good, passed out quite quickly, woke up in hospital and then spend 5 months moving to 3 differnt hospitals, (Mansfield General then Kings Mill Hospital and finally City Hospital in Nottingham)
Ended up having a fair bit of my left lung removed and the right lung glued to the side of my chest…..
But im now 39 (still with lots of chest pain) and living a pretty much normal life, so PLEASE do not worry too much and just enjoy your lives to the full……
Any one wishing to chat about there sponÃÂtaÃÂneous pnemothÃÂoÃÂraxes worries then email me im living proof there is life after this weird illness
thx
Paul

By: Jenny

Jenny — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:30:25 +0000

Just want to say to all you sp sufferers I know the worry that you feel. I used to worry all time after my first SP I was 22 at time and a smoker and about 6 kilos lighter than what I am now, Id like to say be positive I know can be hard but after my incident in hospital for 5 days with a tube, I looked at things different and changed my lifestyle I started excersing and may not be the person I am now if didnt happen, its 4 years ago now and yes i still remember it very clear but I dont feel every single pain in my chest anymore and think its going happen again like i used too, I still think of it occasionaly but no where near as much and dont feel the worry I used to. I am proof that dose not always happen more than once well it hasnt yet and I am healthy and strong so take care of yourselves and you will over time worry less and less. be brave. Take Care.

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:40:04 +0000

also, i would reccommend if presented with this...you get the surgery from what ive been told if you dont, its almost guaranteed that it will happen again

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:38:05 +0000

I just had my second SP last week, first time was on the right, second time was on the left. both times had the surgery where they remove the "bleb" and make it so your lung sticks to your chest wall. i dont think people realize how much pain and suffering we go thru with these. The chest tube insertion alone is heinously painful and the surgery recovering is pretty bad too.

I quit smoking after 7 years, and I was told I have a less than 2% chance of this ever happening again. but yes its scary and any time you get any pain there you always think...could it be. Its odd how many people dont know about this condition and how rude people can be about it, they blow it off like its nothing, but like many of you have said, its agonizing and it really can take a hold on your life and make you worry all the time

By: Matt Stevens

Matt Stevens — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:19:59 +0000

Hello all I am 20 years old and have had SP 3 times 2 on the Right once on the left. First the left went to hospital after a few days of ignoring the pain and still smoking regularly, I only went into the hospital because I could not breath and I though I was dying. I had basically went into shock, it was terrible. they drained it with chest tube and I went home in about a week. One week later I had another SP this time on my right side same deal chest tube drainage. I then went for about 4 months with no problems, then that same familiar excruciating pain. Into the hospital and this time Chest tube and VATS surgery, where they adhered my lung to the pleura with talc. It was a long painful recovery. I now have numb spots on my chest and back, and my back cracks constantly around my shoulder blade. It is as if my back gets extremely stiff and it feels sooo relieving to crack it, I suspect this is not healthy tho because just recently I have begun to notice pain in my back and my armpit. I just pray there is no reoccurrance on the right side. That being said I am going to the lung specialist today for some breathing tests and to inquire about my left lung, which is now giving me problems. I am so sick of this, and for all of you other people on this site I feel your pain. I wish you the best of luck, and pray that you do not have any reoccurring problems. I feel like theses SP are controlling my life and I have completely lost all control, I am no longer able to live my life the way I want to. There is nothing I want more than to be able to visit my friends in Colorado, but I am unable to because I live in fear every day that it will happen again at the worst possible time. The anxiety I experience is unbearable, I just don't know what to do. Once again best of luck to you all...