Pleural Effusion

[Gingerspice18x]

I’ve been having chest pains for weeks ever since my c- section that are slowly getting worse and worse I’ve had all the tests under the sun on my heart and all came out fine except when I was having an echocardiogram they noticed I had a small pleural effusion but they don’t seem concerned at all but I’m still having these horrible chest pains that feel like pressure but also very sharp although it does feel like it is coming from my heart I’ve had all the tests and they say it’s fine but these pains are effecting my life now along with palpitations where my heart thumps I cannot tell if this is to do with the pleural effusion or my heart ??

[Biofreak]

Hi Ginger. It must be really worrying for you. You said you've had loads of tests. I don't know a huge amount about pleural effusion but my mum once had this and the doctor described it as fluid on the lung. She was given a diuretic and antibiotics which seemed to solve it. But bear in mind that was over 20 years ago. She also had a pulmonary embolism after an operation (only mentioning this because you said you had a c section). For that condition they gave her blood thinning injections to flush them away. Hope you can get it sorted.

[Gingerspice18x in reply to Biofreak]

Hi, I do worry about a PE as they really run in my family but the doctors won’t do a CT scan because I’m not breathless and oxygen levels are 99 so that means that I don’t have one apparently but as I’ve been to A&E several times about this they now do a quick ECG and send me home they seem to think everything is all in my head and it is really frustrating

[Tia4209 in reply to Gingerspice18x]

Ask for a d- dimer blood test. Oxygen levels can be fine with Pulmonary Embolism. If you are on FB their are a number of support groups for Pulmonary Embolism where you can ask peoples symptoms and their Sats at diagnosis. I had a PE with normal oxygen levels but it took many weeks and A snd E visits to get diagnosed. I asked for the D Dimer blood test which was positive they then CT scanned. Go to a different A and E if needed and insist on the simple blood test or ask your GP to do the test.

[Gingerspice18x in reply to Tia4209]

Oh wow! I didn’t know they could go on for weeks what where your symptoms? I’m definitely going back and insisting on one and to be checked over again

[Tia4209 in reply to Gingerspice18x]

The body usually breaks then down in 6 weeks but they can be there for months. My respiratory consultant thinks I had more than the one that was eventually found. You need anti coagulants to prevent more forming or any you may have getting larger. I would insist on a D Dimer test which if high could indicate embolisms and lead to CT scan.

[Gingerspice18x in reply to Tia4209]

Definitely will do thank you !

[Tia4209 in reply to Gingerspice18x]

Let me know how you got on. Did they give you anti coagulant injections after your c section ?

[Gingerspice18x in reply to Tia4209]

yes they did which is another reason I think they won’t give me a ct scan but was only on them for a week. Will let you know how it goes

[Badbessie]

Obviously no one can diagnose online. Small pleural effusions can happen post surgery and can cause pain. Anyone who as had pleurisy will testify to that. Most will gradually resolve on their own without any intervention. From my own experience rest is the answer but with a new baby that is easier sad than done.

[Gingerspice18x in reply to Badbessie]

Haha yes no rest for me unfortunately! but looks like A&E again today hopefully they will take me seriously this time feels like a heart attack except it’s not happening

[shouty]

I had bilateral pleural effusions when I had kidney problems & retained excess fluid. It made my chest feel very heavy & painful. So sorry you still having bad pain. It sounds like they have ruled out Cardiac problems or PE Have you got a raised temperature at all just wondering whether the fluid has got infected?? Usually small effusions resolve and don't need treatment only if causing breathlessness. Hope you get some resolution soon

[Gingerspice18x in reply to shouty]

Hi, no I don’t have a temp but it seems the longer I leave this the worse it’s getting the pain is now so bad especially when I wake up from sleeping it feels so achy and sharp so I think back to A&E and hopefully won’t send me home saying it’s in my head again it

[shouty in reply to Gingerspice18x]

Hoping they'll do a Chest X-ray

[Gingerspice18x in reply to shouty]

Me too !!

[Tia4209 in reply to Gingerspice18x]

Chest x ray does not show PE’s.

[Gingerspice18x in reply to Tia4209]

Just found that one out by google im just worried because my local hospital have written on my notes that I’m diagnosed with anxiety so every time I go they now keep saying it’s in my head so I’m tempted to just go to a different one

[Tia4209 in reply to Gingerspice18x]

They did that to me too and lots of others have said the same but you know your own body insist on a D Dimer blood test.

[shouty in reply to Tia4209]

Xray will show any fluid in lungs i e pleural effusion or infection

[Tia4209 in reply to shouty]

Sorry didn’t mean to jump in on your comment. That was rude pf me. x

[shouty in reply to Tia4209]

Hey no worries just wanted our friend to make sure she gets all the tests she needs 👍😀

[Tia4209 in reply to shouty]

Thanks. 😊

[ninelives]

Hope you get sorted pronto

[Gingerspice18x in reply to ninelives]

Thank you !

[Izb1]

This sounds very worrying for you Gingerspice, i do hope you get it sorted quickly, you have enough worries being a mum x

[Gingerspice18x in reply to Izb1]

It is honestly so hard looking after a new baby with these chest pains! X

[Izb1 in reply to Gingerspice18x]

I am really not surprised and just hope you can get that dimmer test to get this sorted asap so you can enjoy your new baby x

[Tia4209]

Did you go to A and E x

[Gingerspice18x in reply to Tia4209]

I didn’t go yesterday but I am in A&E right now waiting to be seen so I will keep you updated x

[Tia4209 in reply to Gingerspice18x]

I hope you get some help today xx

[Gingerspice18x in reply to Tia4209]

Got a d dimer and it came out fine and the chest x ray was fine also so I actually don’t know what is going on now xx

[Tia4209 in reply to Gingerspice18x]

It’s frustrating for you, but at least you got tests. Hope you get some answers or start to feel better soon.

[Gingerspice18x in reply to Tia4209]

Starting to think it’s like prinzmetal angina or something