Breathing problems after severe pleural effusion

[copersm]

After tripple by-pass surgery 6/2002 I developed left lower pleural effusion in hospital that was not noticed nor treated by doctors. Discharged with same.Recovery at home very slow. At echo cardiogram exam 7/2002 severly punched in left lower back rib cage by technician who said she was trying to move lung out of way to see heart. One week after echo exam and laying flat on back experienced extrem pain in same location that lasted about 30 seconds. Subsequent to that had tightness and rubbiing sound in same location. At start of rehab 7/31/2002 told nurse of tightness, rub and beginning to experience S.O.B. The nurse said fluid in lung but Dr. in attendance said no and oked me to start rehab. 8/5/2002 Rehab nurse said I should see my family Dr. who referred me to pulmonologist who sent me to emergency room. 8/9/2002 1.6 ltr. of fluid removed and 8/10/2002 1.0 ltr. of fluid removed. Subsequent treatment with Predisone, Lasik and Potassium did not resolve effusion until 5/2003. Continuing problems include constant tightness, pressure in same spot in left back lower rib cage that extends up rib cage to shoulder blade. Constant soreness along left rib cage and pain on cough.
Fast walking or incline walking brings on S.O.B. and seemingly shut down of left lung. Sensation is that left lung is plastered to left rib cage. Any help out there? Thanks. Bill

[National Jewish]

The lung is covered with a very thin membrane, called the pleura.  A similar membrane covers the inside of the chest wall, the ribs and muscles.  As the lungs expand and contract, these lubricated membranes glide over each other.  There is normally no space between them.  Following surgery it is possible for fluid to build up in between these two membranes.  Sometimes there can be 1 to 2 liters of fluid in this area.  This collection of fluid is called a pleural effusion.  This fluid compresses the lung making it hard to breathe and causing shortness of breath.

Your left lung may now be “plastered” to your chest wall, but it should still work normally and not "shut down".  With all that has happened with the recurrent left lower pleural effusions, it would not be unusual for you to have chronic pain.  Pain clinics are often located at large medical centers.  At one of these clinics you would be able to find out what options are available to control your pain and possibly relieve it completely.

[copersm]

Thanks for your reply.

The pain I can put up with. It is the problem with breathing that I have because the left lung does not seem to inhale and exhale as it should  that is the seemingly shut down of the left lung when I exert myself too much. Is there any possible solution to that. That is if I know I am going to go on a long walk is there any medication I might take to forestall a breathing problem?  Thank you.

Copersm.

[DAD12]

A related discussion, diaphram not working on left side was started.