Feel like my lungs collapse overnight

[Jen3675]

Ongoing issues for the last 5 months. Started with possible infection. Cough for the duration and breathing difficulties.

4 x antibiotics.....they improve the cough every time but symptoms return when I stop. I am 10 days into a 14 day course now. The cough has gone but I am left with what feels like collapsed lungs over night.

I lay down and within minutes I feel as if part on my lung collapses. Take a deep breathe and feel it vibrate open. This gets worse over night when I am sleeping. Wake up, take a couple of deep breathes, vibrates/gurgles open and it’s clear.

Any ideas? Consultant appointment is 7 weeks away.

Ct scan 3 months ago was clear.

[sassy59]

Hi Jen please do get back in touch with your doctor or contact 111. You cant wait 7 weeks. Xx

[Jen3675 in reply to sassy59]

It’s been going on for 5 months so no one seems in much of a hurry. We are currently in Portugal (meant to be a permanent move but my health is throwing that into doubt) and I have spoken to a doctor here and been advised to wait for the consultant appointment.

[sassy59 in reply to Jen3675]

Oh dear well it seems as if that’s what you will have to do then. I do wish you well. Take care xxxxx

[Hidden]

I would just say if you feel this is a serious problem for you phone your doctor or 111 service now, don't wait the 7 weeks, you could also check with the Nurses on BLF helpline to see what they may suggest or advise.

Don't hesitateto call the emergency service if you get into any real difficulty.

BLF Info pages: blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

Hope you are soon feeling better.

[Jen3675 in reply to Hidden]

It’s a problem but it’s not immediately life threatening.... it will wait but it’s driving me slightly insane and have no clue what’s going on?

I was hoping someone could share their experience of anything similar x

[Hidden in reply to Jen3675]

patient uk info on it: patient.info/signs-symptoms...

There is mention of Treating repeated episodes if you scroll down to the bottom of that page link.

Worth a read in addition to what others may have experienced.

I don't recall my own experience being excessively difficult other than much more difficult to breathe and some pain, fatigue, exhaustion etc. but then it was quite a long time ago now and much more has happened since.

[Jen3675 in reply to Hidden]

Hey BKin, could you repost the link please as it doesn’t work and I will take a look 😊

[Hidden in reply to Jen3675]

the link works fine for me but here it is again:

patient.info/signs-symptoms...

(click on the link again when you get the HealthUnlocked redirect notice)

or search Patient UK for pneumothorax etc or the country you reside.

Sorry I did not realise you are not in the UK so 111 service would not apply. Hope there is something similar in Portugal.

Best wishes BK

[Jen3675]

We only moved recently so are still registered with U.K. services, will be coming back for consultant appointment 😊

[judg69]

Stop sleeping in a prone position. If at all possible , sleep with your upper body tilted back to maybe a 30 to 45 degree angle, Since my lobectomy 9 years ago, I have never been in a prone position. I sleep in my recliner with my legs raised and my upper body tilted back slightly. Hope this helps and do see the specialist as soon as possible. Best Wishes, judg69

[Jen3675 in reply to judg69]

Thanks for your reply, I have been doing this and I think it helps slightly 😊

[Patk1]

Ru using " lung clearance" techniques? If not,it's worth reading up and doing at least morning and night + in between if feel mucous in airways also,sleep propped up.How are u once u get up?

[Jen3675 in reply to Patk1]

Yeah I am, but no longer getting much up. (10 days into 14 days of antibiotics.....4th lot 🤦🏻‍♀️) I have slept half sitting for the last few nights.

I feel like my lungs block over night, 4 or so hours after bing up, they unblock and I can breath again. If I lay down at this point and take a deep breath, I vibrate and I feel like my airways spring back open.

[Patk1 in reply to Jen3675]

Sounds like still bit sticky so i would persevere with lung clearance techniques-have u tried active cycle of breathing.also increase fluids as helps to thin it.its tough + time consuming but when sticky mucous there,there's only 1 way up.if u don't get it all up 2-3 x ea day, you are fighting a losing battle as it will keep getting infected

[Marionmarion]

Hi Jen! It does sound like mucus moving about. I have similar trouble, a clear CT-scan too and no sputum either. The worst thing is, when they cannot diagnose you, they stop caring and neglect you into getting worse. It is happening to me too. Even pre-pandemic I had to wait 12 months to see a specialist for 5 minutes and was dismissed straight away! Sounds like there is even better care in Portugal!

[Ileneaka]

Oh my gosh, I've had the same thing since last November. I've described it as feeling like my lung is rumbling each morning upon taking my first breath or two, then it clears up. It started with middle back pain, and I've had an x-ray, ct-scans, and a breathing test. All came back fine. My pulmonologist seems to think it's asthma and prescribed a steroid inhaler. (But asthma doesn't produce back pain). It feels like my lung collapses over night, and when I take my first deep breathes in the morning, it inflates. Sometimes it is a small inflation, other days it feels like the whole lung inflates. But it's always after I stand up from a laying down position.

[deaD3ath in reply to Ileneaka]

Me too,any news?

[Ileneaka]

Is there a correlation of post-nasal drip to mucus collecting in the lungs while sleeping? I have noticed I clear my throat a lot during the day. But since I can't clear my throat while sleeping, it would make sense that some of this fluid might be draining and collecting in the lungs?

[deaD3ath]

We are on the same boat surely.

[Marionmarion]

Hi, Jen! How are you these days and in what country are you living? Could they sort you after all?