I had one a few years ago at the age of 20. Woke up one morning with some chest pain so I stayed home from work and went to the doctor. She listened to me breathe and said "I think you might just have a little inflammation but just to be sure I'll send you to get an x ray." I got the X Ray that night and 2 days later (during which I went to work normally) I get a call from her saying nonchalantly "Hi, we got your x ray back, your right lung is collapsed and you should head to the ER now. I've already called ahead and let them know you're coming."
Luckily, mine had only collapsed 30% so they did the pigtail catheter and I spent 5 days in the hospital recovering. I've read in here that the catheter caused pain while inside and also when being removed but I didn't have that experience. I didn't feel a thing.
To be honest, the worst thing to come out of this was the anxiety I've experienced in the years since. I did smoke a LOT of weed but other than that I was a completely healthy 20 year old. I played roller hockey weekly and went to the gym. It's scary when something happens to you for seemingly no reason, especially when it has a 30% chance of recurring within a year. I've had a few chest pain scares since then, but luckily (or not?) they've turned out to be nothing.
The good thing to come out of all of this, though, is my new found devotion to being fit. I've almost completely stopped smoking weed, started eating healthier foods, and lifting a lot heavier weights. I've gained at least 15 pounds since the collapse occurred.
My suggestion to you is to be aware of the possible mental consequences of a spontaneous pneumothorax. Getting in great shape helped me deal with the uncertainty of such a condition, and it might help you too.
dynamicSmurf1 karma
I had one a few years ago at the age of 20. Woke up one morning with some chest pain so I stayed home from work and went to the doctor. She listened to me breathe and said "I think you might just have a little inflammation but just to be sure I'll send you to get an x ray." I got the X Ray that night and 2 days later (during which I went to work normally) I get a call from her saying nonchalantly "Hi, we got your x ray back, your right lung is collapsed and you should head to the ER now. I've already called ahead and let them know you're coming."
Luckily, mine had only collapsed 30% so they did the pigtail catheter and I spent 5 days in the hospital recovering. I've read in here that the catheter caused pain while inside and also when being removed but I didn't have that experience. I didn't feel a thing.
To be honest, the worst thing to come out of this was the anxiety I've experienced in the years since. I did smoke a LOT of weed but other than that I was a completely healthy 20 year old. I played roller hockey weekly and went to the gym. It's scary when something happens to you for seemingly no reason, especially when it has a 30% chance of recurring within a year. I've had a few chest pain scares since then, but luckily (or not?) they've turned out to be nothing.
The good thing to come out of all of this, though, is my new found devotion to being fit. I've almost completely stopped smoking weed, started eating healthier foods, and lifting a lot heavier weights. I've gained at least 15 pounds since the collapse occurred.
My suggestion to you is to be aware of the possible mental consequences of a spontaneous pneumothorax. Getting in great shape helped me deal with the uncertainty of such a condition, and it might help you too.
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