Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Prolonged pain
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
Prolonged pain
by Marcilou, Dec 13, 2004 12:00AM
I am an 18 year old high school senior with a history of two pneumothoracies, and a suspicion of a connective tissue disorder such as Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I also have symptoms of Raynaud's syndrome. After my second pneumo, I had a pleuradesis. Since then, I have had three additional episodes of pain, all identical to the pneumothorax, lasting two-three days. Each time, an xray was taken and results were negative. I am currently in the middle of the fourth episode that began on the same day as my menstrual cycle, and I just returned home from a 10-day hospital stay for severe lung pain and shortness of breath. Again, all xrays and CT scans -- with and without contrast - were negative for a pneumo or other identifiable cause. My doctors continue to search for a diagnosis, but are completely baffled by the two-week pain attack. I am still experiencing level-six pain in the upper left lung while on pain medication, and have no reason to believe anyone will ever figure this out. Is there anything that could be happening to the pleuradesis that could be causing this pain? Do you have any other ideas?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Dec 31, 2004 12:00AM
, Dec 31, 2004 12:00AM
The most likely explanation is that your pain is coming from the pleurodesis. Another possible cause of your pain is very small recurrent pneumothoraces.
A rare cause of a pneumothorax is lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Usually endometrial tissue is only found in the uterus, but in LAM it is found in the lung. This can cause a pneumothorax to occur during menstruation. In addition to pleurodesis LAM may be treated with birth control pills.
In light of the suspicion of a connective tissue disorder such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome you should have a thorough exam by a rheumatologist.
A rare cause of a pneumothorax is lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Usually endometrial tissue is only found in the uterus, but in LAM it is found in the lung. This can cause a pneumothorax to occur during menstruation. In addition to pleurodesis LAM may be treated with birth control pills.
In light of the suspicion of a connective tissue disorder such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome you should have a thorough exam by a rheumatologist.
