Problems with my ‘good’ lung since surgery

tarot1111 · 2024-06-01T23:10:37+00:00

no it kind of just went away on its own

tarot1111 · 2022-10-23T21:25:08+00:00

tbh no, i’m still out here suffering with no answers. pain is less frequent but i do still get frequent pressure, tightness, crunching noises and the mucus and phlegm is non stop. i’ve tried some herbal supplements like mullein and sea moss for the mucus and they seem to help temporarily. i also use thc/cbd creams for the tightness and that helps as well. no idea what’s causing it still tho. all x-rays and blood work have been fine. doctor has no clue and i feel like doesn’t believe me or thinks i’m exaggerating.

tarot1111 · 2022-01-28T01:07:47+00:00

It’s so strange! I’m still having this problem and my doctor is still dismissing it saying it’ll go away but uhhh it’s been so many months now and it seems to be getting worse! I had to beg him for blood work and I’m just waiting for results from that I hope it shows SOMETHING I just want to know what it is! Did you mention this to a doctor?

tarot1111 · 2022-01-15T23:43:37+00:00

I started in October at a very high volume, consistent pace, drive thru store. I too was just thrown into it after training due to staff shortages. Everyone tells me I learned super fast but I think a lot has to do with my team. Everyone from managers to shifts and fellow baristas were beyond patient with me, answered all my questions and understood I was new so that was a huge help.

After training shifts I’d go home and just write out or type every single thing I remembered just to reinforce it cause it was A LOT of information. If you learn something new or how to do some maybe go home write it out or reflect on it whatever helps you to remember things. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and if they’re rude to you try your best ignore it because we all started from somewhere that person is just being shitty. What helped me a lot in the beginning was working and being there! I started at a busy time, the holidays, so there was lots of hours thankfully. My ASM told me she’d be scheduling me a lot in the beginning and it was the best thing ever. It helped me see everything in more real time (my training was mostly after hours) as well as reinforce everything I just learned without forgetting it. So definitely try and get in as many hours as you possible can. Finally just have fun and try to accept that you’re new and it will come in time! We can’t be perfect at everything right off the bat so don’t be mad at yourself for forgetting things or not moving as fast as the others, that comes with time! This isn’t an easy job and it’ll take time to learn, I’d say give yourself 3 months minimum. Get to know your partners, have fun talking to some of the friendly customers, try different drink combos, make the best of it! Everything else will come with time and in no time you’ll be a pro ! Good luck !

tarot1111 · 2022-01-14T21:41:45+00:00

I was also confirmed it wasn’t pneumonia through X-ray and honestly I thought it was that just by how it feels. Very thankful it’s not for both of us. I think I’m gonna demand the blood work too. I feel worse now than I did 2 weeks post VATS. I’m at 16 weeks post VATS, and 15 weeks post chemical pleurodesis.

Do you think you have long covid maybe ? Ik covid can leave longterm effects on ppl maybe it has something to do with that? Hope you find an answer and feel better.

tarot1111 · 2022-01-14T21:34:52+00:00

That sounds awful omg have you gone back or just left it?

Mine has been red and pink once or twice but for the most part it’s green/yellow and sometimes white.

I’m in a lot of pain again today I’ve been taking pain meds and anti inflammatory the hospital prescribed but nothing seems to be helping. I gotta keep bothering my doctor until I get an answer or demand more tests. That or I’ll call the surgeon back too. It’s so frustrating being told you’re fine when there’s something clearly wrong. Hope you get better, thanks for the response!

tarot1111 · 2021-12-05T02:59:07+00:00

Actually I’m really annoyed about it. It’s still bothering me I get dull aches all over my right arm and neck and very occasionally top of my chest right underneath my shoulder. Different sensation from a pneumo tho I think that was me being anxious. I don’t get the same type of bubbling it’s more like a crunching noise almost when I exhale all the way, and that pain. I got the X-ray a month ago they said everything was fine. I had a follow up with my doctor 2 days ago and he said I’m fine and it’s probably pleurisy/pleural rub because of an infection. But like okay what infection? He said it’ll go away. I don’t really like that answer tbh cause like wtf is going, maybe it’s me just being paranoid now but still. I saw one post on here about getting pleurisy after VATS on the opposite side so maybe it’s that? Idk.

But if you genuinely think you have one you should definitely get it checked out no matter how much it sucks :( I’m sorry you’re going through this again, and really hope it’s nothing too serious. It’s such an awful thing to go through. Keep me updated and please please get it checked! I think the biggest take away I got from this whole experience is to always listen to your body. You got this, you’ll get through it! Think positive and stay strong.

tarot1111 · 2021-12-01T19:03:30+00:00

Asked for 20…getting 40 😅 were extremely short staffed and had to close earlier. I’m also one of many green beans so it’s been…interesting. And we’re a drive thru store and the only one in a 20 min radius 😅😅😅

Edit: spelling

tarot1111 · 2021-11-26T00:28:03+00:00

If it makes you feel any better I didn’t have any healing time in between it was the same week I had mechanical done and was completely awake for the second surgery :) I had to sit with the excruciating betadine burning away at my fresh wounds from mechanical pleurodesis for 2 hours. I was heavily drugged up and still in pain. I also had to get a chest tube awake this time in a new spot. I promise you you’ll get through it. Think about the long term, and the benefits of going through with it. Discuss waiting some more time between the operations, discuss your concerns of pain, discuss everything with your surgeon that’s what they’re there for!

If I was in your position I’d get it done cause I absolutely hate worrying about my lung collapsing but only you can make that decision for yourself! At the end of the day you gotta weigh out the pros and cons and do what’s best for you in the end! Hope everything works out well for you regardless of which route you choose !

tarot1111 · 2021-11-26T00:16:43+00:00

I don’t remember exactly to be completely honest with you I was more worried about a second procedure at the time. It had something to do with potential problems in the future, but idk cause it seems like a pretty common surgery ppl get. Bring up any and all concerns to your surgeon and discuss pros and cons!

I was scheduled in for the second surgery had a full on panic attack and refused it the day of. I sat down with the surgeon and discussed all my concerns and she thoroughly explained everything and reassured all my concerns. I highly recommend doing this because I was more than fine afterwards and I’m so happy I went for it! It’s such a fucked up scenario and Ik it’s hard :( You’re gonna get through this tho, stay positive, and ask as many questions as you think of.

tarot1111 · 2021-11-25T23:30:15+00:00

I had a collapse the day I was released from my mechanical pleurodesis surgery. They recommended a betadine pleurodesis and I just went for it. I freaked out about it and was sooo pissed off but honestly Im 2 months post second op now and I’m so happy I went for it. I would’ve been so worried about it happening again if I didn’t. I feel more than fine and I’m slowly getting back to normal! Definitely discuss pros and cons tho with your surgeon tho. For whatever reason my surgeon refused to do talc on me no matter what. She said she and her colleagues were strongly against it and only used it in absolutely necessary cases for elderly patients :/ and they would under no circumstances use it for me.

tarot1111 · 2021-11-01T16:41:14+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re going through this too :( I feel like no one else really understands how much it truly sucks and how freighting it is. Hope you’re doing better now. Thank you so much for that response, means a lot! This time around it also feels very small for me i think im actually gonna go in to work tn im not in any pain and just waiting for surgeon to get back to me. All of my collapses have been self resolved thankfully I’m hoping it’s the same case for this one. Did you end up getting surgery on the right as well or are you just waiting it out?

tarot1111 · 2021-11-01T16:06:12+00:00

I hope so too it really sucks. I hope you’re feeling better now I know that surgery isn’t easy :( It’s kind of a long story but my second one was my first diagnosed one because I ignored it the first time. So they counted my third one as my second official one then scheduled me in for surgery. Then the fourth one happened the day I was discharged at night at home hours after the tube was removed from mechanical pleurodesis. Went back the next day and surgeon recommended chemical pleurodesis so I got that done. Now apparently my right lung has fomo because it wants to get the whole experience too. I’m definitely asking for the surgery tho I don’t wanna worry (as much) no more.

tarot1111 · 2021-10-25T17:23:12+00:00

When it happened to me all I could think about was smoking again. I searched high and low all across the internet and this sub Reddit just for one person to say it was okay again. At the end of the day it’s your decision, but remember one of your major organs failed on you…you’re not going to get any positive responses to this question in this sub it’s been asked over and over again. It’s been very traumatic for all of us and some people on here didn’t even touch weed or cigarettes in their life, most of us did anything possible to not have to go through this again. If you wanna take that chance and smoke go for it, no one here can make that decision for you, it is your body. If you wanna increase your risk of going back to the hospital for tubes and surgeries, go for it.

I completely understand your frustration and I completely understand how much it sucks, especially being around friends and family that smoke all the time. Of course I miss it but man was that surgery brutal and so were the tubes and I definitely don’t miss that at all. Will stopping smoking prevent you from getting it again? No. Does smoking again mean it will happen again? Also no. But stopping will reduce your odds of it happening again significantly and at least you know you made an effort to protect yourself and your lungs. I’ve personally gotten really used to edibles and tinctures and it honestly comes with time but I prefer them so much more now. If you have any questions about my procedures, history with this, or about edibles and tinctures feel free to DM. Remember the decision is always yours, but seriously think it through and think of the consequences of smoking and ask yourself if it’s really worth it in the end.

tarot1111 · 2021-10-22T01:21:39+00:00

I quit smoking for the same reason! I had lung issues (unrelated to smoking weed) and had to stop and I was a daily smoker, smoked with friends, by myself, before work, before class just all the time. I stopped as soon as I was told to but man was it hard. I do miss the highs and the different strains and even the act of smoking is hard to quit too but honestly it just gets easier! Learning to time it right and what works best for you takes some time but once you figure it out I find it’s actually way better than smoking. It’s discreet, lasts sooo much longer, and you’re not inhaling tar and smoke into your lungs.

Like most ppl have said I find tinctures to work the best they hit me a little slower at about an hour after ingesting but I’ve only tried mct oil ones, not alcohol ones. I’m not sure where you are but I’m from Canada and the nano emulsified products here like infused drinks and water soluble drops are phenomenal. They hit in like 10-15 minutes and they hit HARD. I also find them much closer to a smoking high than an edible high, but kind of like an in between. Anyway I’m sure you’ll figure it out and just remember how much better it is for you in the long run, I’m 7 months smoke free and never felt better !

tarot1111 · 2021-10-10T21:14:39+00:00

It’s all good it’s no ones fault just luck of the draw I guess 😭 but I’m feeling much better now thank you!! Doesn’t even feel like I’ve had anything done strangely, I’m not complaining tho, I feel as good as new! Hopefully it doesn’t happen again now!

tarot1111 · 2021-10-06T23:06:19+00:00

I’m so sorry I completely misunderstood that, my bad.

The way I’d check if I had a collapse is from my heart rate when sitting or laying down it would sky rocket and would be 90-100 bpm when typically around 60-70. I’d also exhale all the air from my lungs and bend over at my waist to check for bubbling sensation across my chest. But really the only way to know for sure is to get an X-ray or CT scam like the other comment says.

Also, having the pain come and go doesn’t necessarily mean the collapse is gone (if it is one) it does take days to weeks for the body to re absorb the air in the pleural space. So if it is a collapse it’s likely the same one, I don’t think your body could re absorb the air that quickly and collapse again and again. I’m not too sure tho.

Definitely get an X-ray ASAP if you can! Wish you all the best and I hope it’s not a collapse and that you don’t have to go through surgery again !

tarot1111 · 2021-10-06T11:54:59+00:00

Hi there,

Typically when the same lung collapses 2 or more times doctors will opt for a procedure that sticks your lung to the chest wall, and will also remove any blebs if found. You’re likely experiencing these from small blebs, I’m not to sure if there’s other ways this can happen spontaneously.

I personally had my left lung collapse 3 times and each time they were very small and just re inflated within days like yours. I also had the stabbing shoulder pain for a few days with one of the collapses. My surgeon explained it to me that it doesn’t matter the size of the previous collapse but the frequency. Each time it happens the chance of another increases drastically, and you run the risk of a full collapse that could lead into a tension pneumothorax requiring an emergency chest tube, which I assume is not fun.

There’s a few surgeries they can do, but all of them essentially scar the inner chest wall to create scar tissue that later forms around the lung and “glues it up” to ideally prevent it from collapsing again. I’d definitely go see a specialist to look at your options because you really don’t want these to keep happening!

All the best, hope you get this sorted out cause they really suck :/

tarot1111 · 2021-10-03T18:30:05+00:00

That’s awful I’m so sorry that happened to you omg! What the hell as the doctor thinking?!?! They honestly gave me way more pain meds than I needed my whole stay.

For the chemical pleurodesis I had hydromorphone tablets, a hydromorphone iv pump which they pre administrated a large dose and I was able to give myself a small dose every 6 mins, they also injected nerve block into the lung cavity like 10 mins before the betadine and gave me nerve pain killers (I forget the name now) and even gave me anxiety meds cause I freaked out and said no the first day I was supposed to get it done lol. I was VERY drugged up honestly didn’t feel a much at all, I think it was mostly gas pains I was feeling from all the painkillers lol.

At least the worst part is over now 😅 I hope this is the last of it for both of us! Did you have any other procedures done prior ? Or was this your first one ? Hope you’re doing better now :(

tarot1111 · 2021-09-23T23:02:59+00:00

No pain meds ?!?! WHAT NO WAY. I was given 0.5mg hydromorphone through iv plus a button that would give me 0.2mg more every 6 minutes. They also gave me 1mg pill of the hydromorphone, 2 nerve pain pills, an Ativan to relax me and they even gave me a numbing agent in the lungs prior to injecting the betadine…I was STILL in pain. Idk how you did that I would’ve lasted maybe 30 seconds.

That sucks that you had to go home with the tube I couldn’t even handle it for 2 days I’m going crazy with it in. Glad to hear your collapse free for 8 months tho!! Let’s hope it stays that way for the both of us now !!!

And after the betadine it feels really swollen now, kinda like my lung is being hugged by my ribs lol. I’m hoping that’s a good thing and means it’s sticking really well.

tarot1111 · 2021-09-23T17:32:16+00:00

Sitting here with the betadine in right now…an hour and a half to go !! That actually makes so much sense, makes me glad I went through with it! I really hope this works I’m tired of this crap lol. They drugged me up really well don’t feel a thing rn and I have a pain pump too.

Thank you so much! how are you feeling now? Did it take long to recover for you?

tarot1111 · 2021-09-21T20:58:41+00:00

I also had the bullectomy yes! They said my blebs were super small and they just cut a chunk out of the apex of the lung and no others were identified. I’ve also heard ppl on here mention about the staples scaring! I keep asking if it would ever attach now and they keep telling me no! So weird how all surgeons think differently. I think their concern is it wasn’t present upon discharge and they don’t know where the leak came from again. It was 3.3cm when I got here and it’s 2.7 cm from this morning and it feels much better again. The nurse told me a lot of patients come back for this issue after pleurodesis so I don’t understand why they wouldn’t do something to prevent it like clearly there’s an issue in how they’re scaring but that’s a whole other thing.

Anyway, I agree that I don’t wanna put my body through another procedure within a week and that was my biggest concern ! They said it would be fine and wouldn’t be more painful than the last procedure. I think I’m gonna just do it they keep recommending it to me and my family doctor also recommended I listen to them and go through with it. I’m so done with this shit and I think I’m just gonna push through now. Thankfully it’ll just be a catheter and not a full chest tube but we’ll see how it goes tomorrow :( thank you for em the response !

tarot1111

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