Hi,

I don't know if anyone has had a similar experience to mine or has any insight to offer on my dilemma. I've been having multiple spontaneous pneumos on both lungs even though I had VATS surgery for both in the last few years. I've heard different theories on why these pneumos occur, such as when the barometric pressure changes suddenly it can affect the pressure inside the lungs, which I can't really do anything about. I've noticed it come on when I exert myself physically and I get tired, or when I don't have a good night's sleep. I don't know how to prevent it other than try to rest and lie down every few hours. Has anyone else noticed something that seems to bring it on or how to prevent it from occurring? When I get a small pneumo, I generally bed-rest for a few days and it seems to go away. My surgeon told me that it's better not to lie in bed continuously for days because that can cause more problems than benefit, ie it could cause a blood clot for eg. He told me to try to resume normal activity, ie go to work (I have a desk job) soon after, as it probably won't make it worse. I'm afraid though because I've always bed-rested and not returned to work until it's completely resolved, for fear of making it worse. Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Kelly

I had the surgery after only about 5 pneumothoraxs and was told that it is still possible that it may happen again. I haven't had any severe collapses since then, but I do get the minor ones. I was told that limited mobility was the best, as well as taking deep breaths when it is just a minor collapse. I'm not sure what else to say.

Wow people get surgery for this? A couple doctors told me its not dangerous, just painful (tho maybe they are wrong...). I get these all the time, and have probably had hundreds. I get some major (like a fully collapsed lung), some medium (very restricted breathing), and tons of minor ones (painful, but normal breaths are fine, only deep breaths are restricted).

I find that if I take Asprin or any other NSAID's it causes these pneumothoraxs. A couple doctors even told me not to take them because of the Marfan, so I am not crazy! When I was on VIOXX I had pneumothoraxs almost constantly and severely. Now that I don't take ANY NSAID's (stopped at least 5 years ago), I usually only get minor ones a few times a month, and they dont last very long.

If I have a pneumothorax I find laying on my left side makes it hurt allot more. Right side or back is better. If my breathing is restricted I take a deep breath in to the point where it really starts to hurt and hold it for 30 seconds. If i do that a bunch (maybe 10 times?) I find I can increase my lung capacity and breath easier, tho it doesnt decrease the pain.

Would be nice to know other things I could get rid of so I have even less pneumothoraxs!

They told you it's not dangerous?...wow...That is definitely not true...I was told that if you get it on the left side, it can get so bad that the air outside of your lung could compress your heart...also, they can get so bad that you can have pretty bad damage due to lack of oxygen....

Yikes. I can definitely feel it compressing my heart sometimes. Especially if I lay on my left side when I have one. The mild ones arent dangerous, are they? Cause I get those all the time.