Restrictive Lung Disease

In 1980 i survived severe Septic Shock with MOF/ARDS, pulmonary hemorrhaging.  Had to be put on albumin and saline, admitted without radial pulse.  Basically, I wound up on PEEP, and after six weeks went home with Restrictive Lung Disease and a "bent Trachea".  I am now 46years old, last month I had two episodes of this trachea (I assume) noticeably collapsing, or kinking when sleeping on my right side.  It woke me up both times, and I had to turn over, facing up on my back, rather than on right side, and felt the trachea fall back into place.  This is creepy for me, and I wonder if it's due to my nearing menopause, and losing cartilage or collagen as I age, and it is making trachea more floppy.  What do you think, and should I see a particular kind of doctor?

[National Jewish Health]

Changes in cartilage and/or collagen, with aging, could well contribute to increasing instability of your trachea.  The episode you describe is worrisome and raises the concern about irreversible tracheal obstruction.  You should consult with a lung specialist, also called a pulmonologist and then, on his/her recommendation, with a non-cardiac thoracic surgeon regarding the placement of a tracheal stent, expandable metallic or other, or a tracheal, bio-compatible ceramic, ring.  Each has its advantages.

Equally or more important is the experience of the surgeon and success rate, based on long-term follow-up.  You would do well to consult with one of the following doctors:  S. Murthy, G. V. Gonzalez-Stawinski, M. S. Rozas, T. R. Gildea, J. A. Dumot at the Institution Center for Major Airway Diseases, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. ***@****