Pneumothorax Causing Back Pain?

Hi all,

When I had the pacemaker implanted, they pierced my lung and I ended up with a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). They put a chest tube in through my side. One doctor thought it actually went into my lung rather than into the pleural space.

My implant was two weeks ago today. Tonight I have a sharp pain in my mid back, directly across from where the chest tube went in. I suspect the pain is caused by the chest tube having been there, but I'm not sure. I'm not short of breath. I don't think it is a recurrence of the pneumothorax.

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing? I am very curious. I get a follow up x-ray on Friday, but I would like to sleep tonight. 😀

Thanks in advance for any info. 

2 Comments

Sharp mid back pain

by Gemita - 2022-09-21 05:32:38

Doggiemama,

I am so sorry to hear about your difficulties.  You are probably correct in thinking this could be related to your chest tube procedure.  My husband developed a pleural effusion following his pacemaker implant and after draining his fluid, he complained of sharp intermittent pain in his chest and mid upper back.  This was treated with an anti-inflammatory medication for a very short period followed by a neuropathic pain medication due to a nerve injury.  The latter took some time to resolve.

As this is a new symptom and in view of your pneumothorax, I would  bring this to the attention of your doctors and certainly well before your follow up X-ray on Friday in case they want to change the type of imaging they have requested.  It will get better, but you may need more help along the way.  Please take care and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Thank You, Gemita

by DoggieMama - 2022-09-22 01:38:02

I appreciate your response. Your husband's symptoms sound very much like mine. I take Gabapentin for nerve pain.  I will take an anti-inflammatory to see if it will help me sleep better. 

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As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.