Lung collapse

I'm sorry you ran into complications

by Gotrhythm - 2018-01-22 14:32:56

No, I've never had a similar experience. I expect few of our membership have.

Here's hoping your recovery from this point on is easy and uneventful.

Lung Collapse

by maryellen - 2018-01-22 15:54:24

 Thank you Gotrythm.  I hope nobody has had this experience, rare, but it happens.  Nothing like having you whole left side aching!

My left lung collapsed after ICD

by Zoë - 2018-01-22 21:59:32

I had suspect rib fractures after my CPR, prior to then getting ICD dual lead  implant (Boston Scientific).  I too knew something wasn't right after I was bought back to my room and 3 chest xtrays later my left lung had completely collapsed.  It quickly became a medical emergenc and I had a chest drain inserted at the bedside by cardio-thoracics.  This was so incredibly painful and, as I had just had implant , I couldn't raise my left arm above my head to expose the armpit area for their inscision. I had to stretch my left arm across my chest instead as I felt them shove this "pipe" into me....it was aweful I felt excruciating referred pain right up to my shoulder, through my back and back out my chest. I never want to experience that again!! The tube was then connected to a tank to monitor the air leakage, then a couple days later they connected a suction hose to the tank to try and get my lung to reinflate. 6 days later the chest tube was removed, once the daily X-rays confirm it had fully inflated again. When they pulled the tube out I saw the tube had been about 5" inside (eeeeck).  

So yes, I can totally sympathise and understand that wretched ordeal you went through!  Not nice.

i did experience a horrid dull ache, with very sharp pains through my back at times during the whole process and for quite a while after my back and chest were very stiff and tender.  However, I think that was also due to the fact I was guarding myself a lot if I coughed or used the bathroom etc..so I had probably made the pain worse.  3mths on I'm grand again and just have a lumpy red scar as a reminder.....it's the device I'm still struggling to get my head round- every time I get runs ofPVCs or feel it doing its pacing I'm freaking out lol.

its a lot to get used to isn't it???  But we must be gentle and allow ourselves time to heal and recover, knowing we have these little "on board ambulances" now to watch over us and do their thing.

kindest regards, 

Zoë :)

Lung collapse

by maryellen - 2018-01-22 22:16:16

Thanks for the story Zoe.  I know exactly what you mean.  The implant is one thing but the insertion of the tube is horrible.  I never screamed so loud!  My husband was outside the room and when he came in he had tears in his eyes.  The removal wasn’t quite as bad.  I am home and glad to be alive.  God Bless

Ellen

Best Wishes Ellen :)

by Zoë - 2018-01-24 22:06:01

youre welcome, it helps me a little to know someone else can relate to what it felt like - although I wouldn't wish it on anyone!!

yes, the removal wasn't as bad thank goodness and relatively quick.

I wish you all the best to a full recovery and a healthy, happy future :)

regards, Zoë

Lung collapse

by maryellen - 2018-01-24 22:27:06

Thanks Zoe - we are soul sisters.  And yes, I hope nobody else needs to go through this.  Best wishes!  Elen

It is gonna be alright....

by anuja - 2018-01-26 02:21:10

Maryellen, my lung got pricked too when I had a pace maker 13 years ago and they inserted a tube very in my lung from very close to the site of pacemaker. And I was freaking out as well before they did that. I still remember the back pain it caused as long as the tube was in pumping out fluids from my lung. But it was over in 2-3 days and I came back home from hospital and slowly life went back to normal. I have never had any lung issues after that for all these years. I am sure that will be the case for you as well. After 13 years that little scar next to big scar - is slowly fading away... 

Lung collapse

by maryellen - 2018-01-26 16:43:44

Thank you Anura.

It is so strange to go through the steps that we didn’t, and yes, you are right, when you have just gone through a pacer implant the last thing you need is a cut on your upper side with a tube!  Glad to hear that you are doing so well and I really appreciate your story!

Ellen