Collapsed Lung?

[BlueRush]

Any one every had a collapsed lung? I was on my way home after doing the clutch and strut install on the car, and all of a sudden I had terrible chest pains on my left side and had a VERY hard time breathing. I almost passed out @ the wheel, but managed to get pulled over and call 911. I thought I was having a heart attack, at the ripe old age of 28, turned out my left lung had collapsed spontaniously.

So anyone ever hear of such a thing happening outta the blue like that?

BTW - I managed to sneek a hospital laptop into my room to get some online time, as I don't have a laptop, just a desktop.

[Ugzz]

are you ****ing serious? that is the most insane **** i have ever heard. damn, i am glad you are ok. and no , i have never had such a thing, or even heard of such a thing..

[Cypher]

were they able to tell you why it happened?

[slyderdai]

YOU ARE HARDCORE EXD FOR LIFE DUDE!!!!!!!!!! Laid up in the hospital and whatnot posting from a hospital bed Awesome!

[cclngthr]

Spontanious collapse of a lung is quite common. I have had that happen a few times. Why it springs a leak is the $100.00 question and what were you doing beforehand. It usually happens to athletes who strain themselves too much.

The reason my lung collapsed was when my spine was at a 45 degree angle.

What you don't want is a chest tube.

[Cypher]

I looked it up. Apparently its most common in tall, thin people with no evidence of trauma. Smoking, drugs and that kind of stuff makes it more likely.

I saw no indication that it happens because of strain.

[wfd59]

Welcome back from the dead.

Buy a loto ticket , take a cruse, do something, because you just got very lucky. Usualy when one lung goes it takes the other with it ,spontaneous pneumothorax . This can happen amazinly fast by the time alot of people would realize that they are in respratory distress bad things are happening.

For this to happen while driving wow, what was the time frame from the time you first felt like something was not right , to hospital . Purely curiosity to see if our response time would have saved you. What was the treatment regiment (what you can remember) obviously oxygen, any other in the field meds, not looking to see what was the hospital side just what happened in the field ie: ambulance/paramedic .

Sorry about the morbic curiosity but, it may help someone. The reason I ask I'm a Firefighter/Firstresponder and 911 dispatcher.

Nice to have you still with us by the way.

wfd59

Smart people run out of burning buildings, why am I running in:eek:

[mlumz]

You basically had a pneumothorax. Our lungs are normally naturally "stuck" to the sides of our bodies inside the chest. Well sometimes air gets between the lungs and chest creating "air blebs". When these "air blebs" burst it causes a pnuemothorax (lung collapses basically). They might of used a needle or syringe to let the air out.

[evan938]

I looked it up. Apparently its most common in tall, thing people with no evidence of trauma.


someone should warn adam (ricerrx7)

[BlueRush]

So, blebs FTMFW!!! Exactly what happened.

Time from first symptom to hospital was aprox 15-20 min, aprox cuz I was in and out of concensness for a little bit till I got some O2 in me.

BTW - have the chest tube in now, lung is back in action, and the tube comes out tomorrow hopefully!!!

I have a lot of contributing factors, such as:

Smoking cigarettes
Prior drug usage
Marfan Syndrome and/or Ehlers-Danlos (both connective tissue disorders)

Ya, so I feel pretty lucky to be alive right now! Thanx every one for the support, God bless us all.

[Keyan]

I had a friend in high school whose lung collapsed when he was giving blood in the library at the school's blood drive.


now THAT was an interesting day.

[Cypher]

well, maybe you'll stop smoking now :tongue:

Glad you're doing good now

[cclngthr]

So, blebs FTMFW!!! Exactly what happened.

Time from first symptom to hospital was aprox 15-20 min, aprox cuz I was in and out of concensness for a little bit till I got some O2 in me.

BTW - have the chest tube in now, lung is back in action, and the tube comes out tomorrow hopefully!!!

I have a lot of contributing factors, such as:

Smoking cigarettes
Prior drug usage
Marfan Syndrome and/or Ehlers-Danlos (both connective tissue disorders)

Ya, so I feel pretty lucky to be alive right now! Thanx every one for the support, God bless us all.

You need to take it easy and do healthy things. Marfan Syndrome is not something to take likely.

[BlueRush]

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3061/1116070046et5.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1116070046et5.jpg)

Me @ my finest - LOL

[mlumz]

stop smoking and you do have the risk factors. Once you have one you are increased risk for having others so be healthy. Oh FYI, the chest tube removal might hurt, i've seen 80yo lady not flinch but had a mid 20s male cry like a little b@#.

[ricerrx7]

someone should warn adam (ricerrx7)

That's exactly what I thought when I read that. I'm 6'4" and 140lbs. I'm kind of scared now...

[evan938]

better get movin on those double cheeseburgers!

[Cypher]

how'd evan know that? lol

[ricerrx7]

He's a member of my porn site.




Or, maybe we've met in person...

[cclngthr]

That's exactly what I thought when I read that. I'm 6'4" and 140lbs. I'm kind of scared now...

I'm also thin, but not as tall.

I've had more than 1 collapsed lung, but those were slightly different than this. They don't feel good.

Best bet is to eat right and excercise moderately (don't overdo it). Let the lungs heal before you go all out on activities. Might have to have xrays to see if the lungs have any scar tissue and see if they are expanded.

[toymachine566]

so what kind of drug use we talkin????

I am joking lol (my drug of choice is alcohol :D)

glad you're doing alright bud (given the circumstances anyway) like everyone else said, time to take car of yourself. get-out-of-jail-free cards don;t just fall in your lap when you need them ;)

[BlueRush]

Dudes, I have ABUSED my body!

Was into cocaine for about a year or two, then crack for 6 months or so, then it Meth for a little while. Now it's some weed every once in while (which I've smoked since aprox 1993), and DEFINITLY no cigarettes!

Alcohol, boy oh boy, have I pounded a few in my day!

My goals now are to recover, get in touch with a nutritionalist, and keep healthy, not just for me, but for my family as well. I hope my father does not have to burry his only son before his time is up!

BTW - when I was in 10th grade I was aprox 145lbs @ 5'6". I am now 145lbs @ 6'8".

[cclngthr]

Dudes, I have ABUSED my body!

Was into cocaine for about a year or two, then crack for 6 months or so, then it Meth for a little while. Now it's some weed every once in while (which I've smoked since aprox 1993), and DEFINITELY no cigarettes!

Alcohol, boy oh boy, have I pounded a few in my day!

My goals now are to recover, get in touch with a nutritionist, and keep healthy, not just for me, but for my family as well. I hope my father does not have to burry his only son before his time is up!

BTW - when I was in 10th grade I was approx 145lbs @ 5'6". I am now 145lbs @ 6'8".

Cigs are bad enough on the lungs. Weed is worse. Cocaine, meth and crack will do some damage.

At 6'8" you should weigh about 200 pounds (not to fat, but not too thin). Although I shouldn't speak on this, I'm seriously underweight as well. I am 5'3" and weigh 95 pounds (I can't trip the OCS system either; the airbag remains off if I'm in the passenger seat). What I do is graze all day. I eat maybe 6 times a day. 3 meals a day for me does not cut it.

You might want a doctor to check you metabolism and thyroid. Sometimes those two things can screw up your system.

[hyunelan2]

That's exactly what I thought when I read that. I'm 6'4" and 140lbs. I'm kind of scared now...

Holy hell, I'm tall and thin at 6'4" 195lbs.


When I was younger my parents' neighbor had a collapsed lung in the middle of the night while she was sleeping. She was a heavy smoker. Everyone though that her husband beat her or something, but that wasn't the case... it just happened.

[cclngthr]

Too many thin people here. I'm not saying being thin is bad, but there is a point of being too thin for your height.

[hyunelan2]

Well, I'm right on target, nearly. Dr. recommended weight is 202, so 195s not far off... that 140 though. Wow. I got down to about 145 when I was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetis at 19, took some time but I got my weight back.

[2001VE]

Most studies show being thin is better ; less load on the heart etc. Biggest risk I think is recovering from a major illness , when you don't have any fat reserves. I was quite thin for years , getting married started adding the pounds. People still say I am thin becasue I have narrow shoulders ; but at 6'2" and 192 pounds I think I'm close to normal.

[ricerrx7]

Here's a fairly recent picture of me;
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2038935941_f03af703a1.jpg
Yup, I'm skinny...

[cclngthr]

Most studies show being thin is better ; less load on the heart etc. Biggest risk I think is recovering from a major illness , when you don't have any fat reserves. I was quite thin for years , getting married started adding the pounds. People still say I am thin becasue I have narrow shoulders ; but at 6'2" and 192 pounds I think I'm close to normal.

There is a thing about being too thin (underweight). I am 5'3" and my weight should be around 140. I only weigh 95 pounds. My doctor has been trying to figure out, unsuccessfully, to get me to gain weight for years.

Yup, I'm skinny...

Agreed.

[Cypher]

I'm about 6' 1" and weigh 170-175. about normal I believe :tongue:

[KeWLKaT]

I'm 6'4" and 140lbs.

OH MY GOD

That is DISGUSTING

You are more than 20 pounds under the normal recommended weight for your age and height. I mean, I'm 6' and I weigh 170 (with 9% body fat).

Do you have an eating disorder?

[Cypher]

hahah. felix, we're basically the same build lol "brothas from another mother" right?

[KeWLKaT]

hahah. felix, we're basically the same build lol "brothas from another mother" right?

BOOYA bro :halm: :halm: :halm:

[Munky]

Damn Adam...you need to gain some weight. Seriously.

I'm 6' and 180 pounds..don't know how close that is to normal, though.

About 5 years ago I weighed about 115, and I was about 5' 8".

[ricerrx7]

A lot of people think I'm anorexic, because I can't eat around other people (started 3 years ago due to stress), but I really do eat a lot. I used to eat fast food every meal (not even joking), but I'm eating healthier now. But no matter what, or how much, I eat I can't gain weight.
I'm not unhealthy though. I very rarely get sick, although I do get cold easily...

[saturn]

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/061017/155113__machinist_l.jpg

[ricerrx7]

^That's just not right...

[Keyan]

I'm 6 foot and 240 pounds.

I WIN! :abovelol:

[saturn]

from the movie "the machinist"

http://www.andiamsomebody.com/uploads/the_machinist_1.jpg

[cclngthr]

A lot of people think I'm anorexic, because I can't eat around other people (started 3 years ago due to stress), but I really do eat a lot. I used to eat fast food every meal (not even joking), but I'm eating healthier now. But no matter what, or how much, I eat I can't gain weight.
I'm not unhealthy though. I very rarely get sick, although I do get cold easily...

I've been called that too. I lose weight rather than gaining it. More like having trouble keeping weight stable.

[evan938]

yeah, ive met adam before...plus, hes made comments about his size on several occasions

and even after going to the gym for 5+ months, 3 days a week, 1.5-2 hours each time, im hovering around the same weight as when i started. i am starting to notice a lot of muscle building up, so i guess its not too bad

[Spooner]

I'm 6'6" 165 lbs. (Used to be 5'4" and 184 in high school sophmore yr., by Junior yr.... Growth Spurt!)In '95 i lost a lung due to Valley fever (Common fungal spore foiund in the desert regions of So-Cal, Arizona, Texas, and Nevada) Collapsed lung sucked, but 3 chest tubes for 3 months sucked even worse and the AB treatments were like Chemo!. It Was said that after 3 days thinking I had severe Indigestion or something if I had waited another 15 min. I would have died (Which actually happened 2 times in surgery).
I feel for ya bro. The taking out of chest tubes doesn't hurt, just hella uncomfortable. good luck with the itching. Take care of yourself. :cool:

[ricerrx7]

(Common fungal spore foiund in the desert regions of So-Cal,

Ok, you guys are just trying to make me paranoid now! I just moved to the desert!

[BlueRush]

6' 8" @ 145 lbs FTMFW! I had to have the Chief of Staff at Bethesda Medical clear me for active duty when I was in the Navy due to me being severely underweight, yet perfectly healthy. He gave me a prescription for double food rations for the duration of my enlistment, yet I never got over 150 lbs, though I did grow from 6' 4" to 6' 7" in the first two months, eating over 6000 calories a day I guess will do that! My BMI is right at 15, so I fit into the starvation level, and I am over 36% under weight for my height. Or am I over height for my weight? LOL/jk

So I'm at home now, pulled the chest tube out today, it doesn't hurt a bit, just makes your insides feel weird as it's pulled out. And OMG the itching!!!

BTW...The machinist ain't got nothing on me!!! Check it out...


http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5736/1117071903ep2.th.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1117071903ep2.jpg)


LMAO...That's me sucking in the gut...LMAO...Man do I look sic as hell...LMAO

[Cypher]

well, thast something....