Collapsed Lung/ Pneumothorax

[Knoxville-Horn]

So, I had a collapsed lung several years ago. It has happened three or four times since then. It only collapsed about 20% so I was actually given the option of a chest tube or time to see if it healed on its own - which it did. The next few times it collapsed, I didn't go to the hospital as I figured they'd tell me the same thing.

Anyway, I've been having some really sharp pains on the side (right) of my chest that I've had the collapsed lung. I also have been getting very fatigued when I play sports -- which is new to me. Is it possible for the two to be related?

Without consulting a doctor, my guess was that maybe there was some long-term damage at the top of my right lung that never healed properly. I recall the doctor saying something about how 50% of collapsed lungs do not completely heal without having a corrective surgery on the area.

Anyone have any experience with this? By the way, I do not and have never smoked.

 

[H.I._McDunnough]

even though you are not a smoker, there are other risks for primary spontaneous pneumothorax PSP. namely a tall thin build or some genetic predisposition or genetic diseases (Marfan's or homocystinuria).

While an initial PSP can be treated conservatively with oxygen with or without needle thoracentesis or a chest tube, a recurrent episode needs further evaluation. Probably with VATS (video assisted thorascopic surgery) to look for and/or repair blebs (think of them as bubbled areas of the lung which usually cause the ptx when they rupture) and perform pleurodesis ( a scarring of the pleura which causes the lung to adhere and thus eliminate the space for air/blood/fluid to collect)

If I were you, I would get a referral to a thoracic surgeon. The surgery requires a minimal incision for the camara and instruments.

P.S. If you would like to discuss with your doctor, give him/her the reason in advance as you will always get better advice. (reason for visit: "recurrent pneumothorax")

Disclosure: free internet medical advice is worth what you paid

 

[Knoxville-Horn]

Thank you. That clears up a lot. I'm in limbo because the pains are infrequent and rarely debilitating. Thus, the fact that I haven't sought out medical attention in the first place.
Again. Thanks.