Recurring fluid in the lungs

[Bonnpon]

4 months ago I had "viral tamponade" with a collapsed left lung and some fluid on right lung. I had surgery - a pericardial window and lung draining. Among other drugs, I was put on a steroid dosepack (decreasing dose for 6 days).  Every time I go down to 10-20 mg of Prednisone, the fluid comes back. I had 4 thorocentesis procedures; the last time the fluid was knocked out with a 40-mg steroid dose.  No sign of cancer, auto-immune disease, heart disease/condition or anything else anyone can find.  Pulmonologist says I need more time on steroids- that this is probably due to healing from surgery. Internist says I must have something auto-immune. Rheumatologist says there's nothing auto-immune and has no clue.  All say they can't think of any more tests to run - everything is normal.
Any suggestions on where to look next?  Or just wait a few more months and stay on steroids and see if it goes away?


This discussion is related to causes of fluid filling lungs repeatedly.