Pnuemathorax

[shelby38]

I have a question, i was wondering has anyone had a pneumothorax and then a second and third.  In Jan06 i had a left lung collapse which took three days to diagnose but it was more then 80% collapsed and a cook catheter tube was inserted.  I am worried that it will happen again.  I am only 5 feet tall and only weigh about 115 and a female it says it is more common in males that are tall and thin.  Well i went to a specialist who wants a ct scan of the lung done to make sure that it is a primary rather then a secondary pneumathorax.  I am so worried i have not went for the ct scan yet.  Has anyone had a lung collapse and it was caused from a lung disorder.  Back in 2000 i had a small pnemathorax on the right lung and it was only 10% and no tube was needed.

[National Jewish]

Collapse of the lung, also called pneumothorax, can occur spontaneously.  As you have stated this is most likely to happen in a tall, thin male who is under 40 years old.  One very uncommon cause is a recurrent form of pneumothorax during your menstrual periods.

Since you have had a pneumothorax, you have a one in two chance of having another pneumothorax.  Some people are likely to have a pneumothorax because they have blebs or "bubbles" on the surface of their lungs that are present from birth.  The lung specialist that you saw is recommending a chest CT scan to see if this is your problem, which can cause repeated pneumothoraces.  A cause cannot always be found, but it is possible to prevent another pneumothorax with thoracoscopic treatment.  Using a camera at the end of scope the pneumothorax is treated through small incisions in the chest.  The doctor is able to cause the lung surface to adhere to the chest wall surface, to keep the lung inflated.

[myproblem]

Being afraid of the CT result will not help. You're better off knowing what it is caused by, and the sooner the better. Maybe it's nothing horrible, but in case it is you need to hurry up and get it checked out. Good Luck. Pray first if you feel like that will help. At least it can help you feel calmer.

[UncleGreggy]

Yeah let the docs do what they do. a secondary pneumothorax is usually caused by an underlying lung disease such as COPDs, Asthma, cystic fibrosis, TB, Pertussis. OR those disease which are less obvious more scary like eosinophilic granuloma or lymphangiomyomatosis

[shelby38]

thanks  for the replies
I have my ct scan appt for my lung in two weeks and they also want a Pulmonary Function test done as well and then i go tback to specialist on May 1.  Right now i have a sinus infection and throat infection i hope it doesnt go to my chest. thanks

[dot402001]

I had a spontaneous collapse of my right lung Feb. 2, 2006 after a ct scan I was told the cause was blebs that had burst and collapsed the lung. My surgeon informed me that I needed surgery to remove the dead part of the lung (which turned out to be half of the lung). The surgery involved removing the dead lung and scraping the remaining lung so that when it healed it would heal to the chest wall, as not to have another collapse. Also, the lung expanded to fill the void of the removed lung, except for a very small portion. I can honestly say that I feel better now than I have in years. My Dr. says this is probably one of the most painful surgeries you can have, but I will testify that it was well worth it.

[snugglebumnic]

hi

i would just like to point out that my husband has to live with constant ongoing problems with hie spontaneous pneumathorax, he has had the pleuradises operation that you speak of in the year 2000.  He no longer can have any more operations because of the risks as he has already had two pleura op's.  He had it on the left & right lungs, he has never since had problems with the right lung but constantly from the left.  It is not a guaranteed fix this operation as i have seen my husband in so much pain he is only 25.

If my husband sneezes or coughs his lung collapes, however he is 6ft 8" & 11.5 stone, he has tried to put on weight but he can't because of his metabolism.  He has been told by his GP that it will gradually get better because it will have popped to much.  I really don't know how to help him or anything he can never fly on an aeroplane.  i feel so sorry for those who do suffer with this problem because it really is awful

nic

[dunwbro]

I am now 50 and had a spontaneous pneumothorax 21 years ago. It took about 10 days for a diagnosis then I went to the hospital for 4 days and 3 nights while a vacuum tube inserted into my chest kept my lung inflated. During this time it healed and I have been fine ever since.
Now my 19 year old daughter with mono had a spontaneous pneumothorax one week ago. It has been 9 days and stable with no change. They expect that no change means the lung wall has healed. They expect that the air in the cavity should be absorbed but this is not happening. We are waiting for the next xray in another 4 days.

[mageesgrandma]

P.S.  I forget to say, I had "blebs" on my lung which caused the spontaneous pneumothoraxes.  Once I had the surgery, I have not had any more lung collapses!

[mageesgrandma]

33 years ago, I had my 3rd spontaneous pneumothorax which happened within an 18 month period.  First time, upper left lobe 10% collapse, second time 50% lower left lobe collapse and 3rd time upper lobe 20% collapse.  In those days, they did a pleural abrasion.  The procedure was done by rubbing the lung down with gauze to make it raw so that it would heal by attaching onto the chest wall preventing any further collapses.  It worked just like my thoracic surgeon said it would.  I had a complication after surgery in that my left lung would not work.  Postive pressure did work.  In the recovery room a chest x-ray was done and my stomach was filling up with air which could have compromised the surgery and forced the lung to collapse.  They inserted a tube down into my throat into the stomach so that the air could escape.  Not the most pleasant of experiences but happy the end result was so good.

I have gone on to develop Bronchiectasis due to multiple bouts of bronchitis, asthma (which went away), pneumonia, pleurisy and now a CAT Scan revealed a nodule.  I have been worked up by an Immunologist and told my immune system is working on the low end of normal.  Seems not low enough to be treated.  It has been almost two months and I will be having another CAT scan to determine the status of the nodule.

I am crossing my fingers, eyes and toes in the hope that all will turn out OK!  Shortness of breath upon exertion, but I am determined to try to keep a positive attitude and be grateful that I can function on a good level.  It really helps very much.