CHRONIC NON MALIGANT PLEURUAL EFFUSION

[JIMMY222]

ABOUT 8 MONTHS A GO I SUFFERED A SERIOUS ACCIIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO RIGHT SIDE OF BODY. FRACTURED RIGHT HUMEROUS TREATED WITH NEW TITANIUM SHOULDER IMPLANT., 7 BROKEN RIBS AND FRACTURED PELVIS. THE PELVIS HAS HEALED THE RIBS HAVE HEALED BUT ARE CONTORTED AND I HAVE RECOVERED 60% USE OF RIGHT ARM. A MONTH AFTER THE FALL WHILE IN HOSPITAL I WAS FEELING POORLY,NAUSEA,LOSS OF APPETITE, PALPITATIONS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND FATIGUE UPON EXERTION. C SCAN AND CHEST X-RAY REVEALED PLEUROL EFFUSION OF RIGHT SIDE. THORACENTISIS WAS DONE AND 1.5 LITERS OF BLOODY FLUID REMOVED. PATHOLOGY CAME BACK NEGATIVE,NO CANCER OR INFECTION. I FELT BETTER. WITHIN 1 WEEK SYMPTOMS RETURNED AND ANOTHER THORACENTIS DONE 2LITERS REMOVED BROWNISH WITH FOAM. PATHOLOLGY AGAIN NEGATIVE THIS HAS BEEN REPEATED MONTHLY 4 TIMES. PULMOMOLOGIST REFERRED ME TO THORACIC SURGEON WHO SUGGESTED SURGERY PLEURODESIS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I GOT A SECOND OPINION FROM CHIEF OF THORACIC SURGERY AT HOSP OF UNIV OF PENN. HE ADVISED ME TO WAIT IT OUT FOR AT LEAST 2 MONTHS AND IT MAY CLEAR UP ON IT'S OWN. IT HAS BEEN OVER 1 MOS BUT I STILL FEEL SYMPTOMS ONLY SLIGHTLY IMPROVED. I AM AND WAS IN GOOD HEALTH BEFORE ACCIDENT. NO CHF AS VERIFIED BY CARDIOLOGIST ONLY MEDS ARE BETA BLOCKER METOPROLOL 25MG BID AND ASPIRIN 81MG AT HS. I AM NOT TO EXCITED ABOUT PLEURODISIS, IRREVERSIBLE AND 50% SUCCESS RATE AND VERY PAINFUL   ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED

[calamfred]

Have any of the Dr.'s said why they think it keeps recurring? I read where you said the ribs healed but are contorted...they are not in some way contributing to the effusion? I am sure your Dr.'s have explored all of the above...I wish I could be of more assistance, but the only experience I have with Pleural effusion is with my mom and her lung cancer, and a lady who had MRSA and had effusion...both instances chest tubes were placed and fluid drained, and the tubes were left in until drainage was under control...but also in both instances, it was know why there was effusion, and appropriate meds were given. My mom had a bacteria and a fungus...I assume your pathology is being checked for fungus, too? Maybe someone will come along who can help you more...I hope you get some answers and feel better. Good luck to you.