Pneumothorax - Symptoms
What were the symptoms of your pneumothorax?
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What are the signs and symptoms of pneumothorax?
Symptoms of a pneumothorax include chest pain that usually has a sudden onset. The pain is sharp and may lead to feelings of tightness in the chest. Shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, cough, and fatigue are other symptoms of pneumothorax. The skin may develop a bluish color (termed cyanosis) due to decreases in blood oxygen levels.
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I had it happen to me twice. I am a small framed female. First time I was 20 years old. I woke up in the morning for work, took a few steps out of bed and it felt like someone came up behind me and stabbed me in the back. Was in the hospital for a week with the painful chest tube. Second time it happened I was 25 years old. I was driving down the highway and got a horrible pain in my right shoulder. As the day progressed, the pain radiated down my back, arm, and chest. Though I went through hell afterwards, ended up in intensive care, and was hospitalized for 2 weeks, I have not had a reoccurrence. I am currently 43 years old. It was my right lung both times. Extremely painful and scary!!! The surgery is supposed to prevent any future episodes which I guess worked since it has been 17 years. Good luck to all who have suffered with this and are currently going through this.
First spontaneous Pneumo. About 10 years ago, left lung was 100% collapsed. Pain was intense but only in my chest and right arm. They inserted a chest tube immediately in the ER and performed surgery the following day, where they repaired the torn lung and scuffed the wall to reattach. I was in the hospital for 5 days with suction. Home treatment went OK and was back at work within a few weeks. Recently, has another spontaneous on the right side, although only 30%. The surgeon wanted to wait it out to see if it would correct itself, but after 1 week of going in for x-rays, it looks as if it was healing but the pain was far worse. After surgery again and 4 days in the hospital I was sent home. It's been 3 1/2 weeks since surgery and I still have a horrible pain in my right upper chest that is not touched by regular over the counter meds. The surgeon swears I should have no pain now. The pain is not only "internal," but hurts to even touch my chest on that side. Even hurts to have my shirt rub up against that area. hopefully going to see my regular doctor tomorrow to see if he can find anything. This was a great surgeon, but is not the best at follow up care.
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