Partial Lung Collapse

[Mutt]

Hi everyone

Had some shocking news (to me) and hopefully somebody could make things clearer and if I need a second opinion.

For three weeks, I have had an annoying cough and as the TV advert says, I went to my GP to see what it was. I was refered to the hospital for a chest xray and I got the results this morning.

I have been told that I have a partially collapsed lung on my left side. I do not get out of breath as such as I have a pretty active job and I think there may be one or two deliveries where I feel only a little out of breath but nothing where I would have to stop and get my breath back.

A bit of my history

I quit smoking 9 years ago after 15 years of smoking. 21 years of age when I started, 36 when I quit and I am 45 now. I had a chest xray in 2013 when I had palpertation and that came back clear and it showed nothing. My recent xray showed a slight partially collapsed lung on my left side. This time last year I was involved in a road traffic accident and damaged a rib. No xray was taken as they only do them if the spleen or lung had been punctured. Dont laugh, but is it at all possible I have just had a "slow puncture" from the accident or could this be something else?

Whilst at the GP I blew in to a peak flow and got a 700 and the GP more or less ruled out COPD. I have been given steroids and antibiotics. If it clears after a week, then I have to wait 6 weeks to have a spirometer test. if not, I have to go back to the GP.

Any ideas on what it could be? Could it be something from my road traffic accident this time last year?

Thanks for any help

Andy

[mrsmummy]

There are a few members on here who have had collapsed lungs and hopefully one of them will see you post. Well done for stopping smoking. It sounds as though your GP had you blow into a peak flow meterf? To test for COPD he would need to use a spirometer which is a much bigger machine that gives a complicated print out of lots of lung function results. Why not call the BLF Helpline? The number is 0300 030 555 and they are open Monday to Friday during office hours.

[Mumtosmileyface]

Hi Andy,

Most of my son's left lung is permanently collapsed (he's 11). You might have what's called atelectasis, where (part) of a lobe in your lung is collapsed. This is very different from a pneumothorax (punctured lung) and can have numerous causes. The steroids and antibiotics were probably given to see if that will resolve it. If not, I'd guess you'd be referred to a hospital for further tests.

My son's condition is irreversible, and it makes him more prone to infections, but it's managed well and when he's well you wouldn't know there was anything wrong with his lungs.

[Dedalus]

Sorry I can't help Andy, but you did make me laugh with the 'slow puncture'. I hope you get everything sorted soon. Best wishes

[Mutt]

Thank you for the replies. I guess it is just a waiting game to see if the tablets work or not.

From when my coughing first started, I find that I am not coughing as much as I first did. I dont know if this is the inhaler I was prescribed, but I find that I am sleeping better at night and not being woken up by my coughing.

I will keep you posted on what the outcome is by next Friday when my tabs run out. Fingers crossed.

Andy