Atelacstasis

[Hellodolly]

Hello everyone

I have just had yet another chest x Ray which shows the unpronounceable word above on the left lung.

Apparently I now have to have a ct scan to see what’s causing it. I have had pneumonia for months but still coughing.

Has anyone else had this and how do they treat it?

Best wishes to all

Hello dolly😊

[soulsaver]

A -tel-ec-tas-sis ...is how I say it:

Atelectasis is a partial collapse of the lung. It's not usually serious and can often be caused by mucous forming a temporary blockage that stops air getting to a part of the lung, usually in the small airways.

They don't treat it per se, they treat the condition that's causing it - so if it's mucous caused an infection, then anti biotics to help clear up the infection. You may be given an inhaler to help.

Search for chest clearance techniques if you've not got experience.

It can take some time to resolve if the mucous causes a 'plug'.

[lynisa48 in reply to soulsaver]

Hi Soulsaver I have the same issue and was told it might have been caused by previous surgery when lung did not inflate fully or by a past infection told not to worry about it

[ShebaAlfie]

To cut down the phlegm I don’t drink milk, to make phlegm less gluey I take mucodyne capsules and have an on the shelf supply or docoycline antibiotics and increase my maintenance dose of prednisone steroids from 5 mg to 8 or as high as 15 mg. I drop steroids slowly by one mg per day after week or two, you get to know your own managyplan and I always discuss with my doctor to confirm I am on track ! Hope this helps Sonia