Fluid on Lung

[steve61]

Hi All, I started having a pain on my right side under the ribs, about 2 month ago.I was wondering if I'd got gallstones and the dull ache wouldn't go away!

So a few week ago I popped into my A&E to have it checked out.

They sent me to SDEC department, were they did blood tests, Ultra sound on my leg, chest x-ray, and eventually a CT scan.

Had a doctor come and see me, he told me I have fluid on my right lung!

I went last week to have some fluid removed for tests, but after 2 attempts they failed to get any, so had to return yesterday for 2 more attempts!!

I am worried as you think of the big C.

My wife goes in hospital on Tuesday for an hip replacement op, so now I'm thinking they've not said anything if it is big C as they know I have alot on my plate!

I've got to go back in 4 weeks to be monitored and possibly another scan!

The doc said if the fluid is still building up or causing me breathlessness, I might have to have a Op to scrape the lung to remove the fluid.

The doc did say SLE can cause this problem.

Worrying times!

So after boring you all, my question is, as anyone suffered with fluid in the lung with SLE?

Look forward to any replies 🙏

Cheers Steve

[KnitSewPurl]

Are they that incompetent to use the ultrasound to get the fluid from your Right lung. To let you go through all that 🤷🤦.. .. ?? 4 attempts 🤦🤦 . I hope they are not using you as a test guinea pig for their juniors doctor.. to stab you in the dark. I really hate it when a simple procedure like collecting fluid from your lungs is not don't properly. Especially an SLE patient. How many times are they actually introducing infection to you by introducing a foreign object to your body. Don't they know how an SLE body works?? Patients are generally pose a high risk . Every time an open wound is introduced. You have X4. I do hope they gave you antibiotics cover 🤔..

[steve61 in reply to KnitSewPurl]

Just rubbed some antiseptic on after! Said needles weren't long enough first 2 attempts! Fingers crossed time I guess 🤞🙏

[KnitSewPurl in reply to steve61]

They should know if they are doing the procedure day in day out if the needles are long enough to go in . After 1st attempt don't make the same mistake on the 2nd attempt 🤦🤨. I would certainly take it up to PALs for incompetency. 4 attempts is not on for a SLE patient how much introduction of foreign object 🤷🤦..I would hit the roof if it happened to me . I only allow people to attempt X2 time on me never X4 If a fail attempt.

[Guatmom]

I was finally diagnosed with SLE because of a pleural effusion. It’s not uncommon. Once drained, mine filled up again. Because they had to rule out TB or a fungal infection, I had to wait to start steroids. After getting the all clear to start prednisone, the effusions went away and have not returned in 10 years. I currently take plaquenil and Benlysta.

[steve61 in reply to Guatmom]

Thanks for the reply....Did you require an operation or just drained by needle? I hope I'm so lucky 🙏

[Guatmom in reply to steve61]

They did Thorocentesis (long needle guided by ultrasound) three times to drain the fluid.

[steve61 in reply to Guatmom]

TY, Yes, think that's I've just had done to take a sample!Waiting and worrying is the horrible period 🙏

[Guatmom]

i remember that anxiety way to well. Didn’t help that my pulmonologist called and told me that lung cancer was the only thing that would make fluid that quickly. Thankfully he was wrong. Getting my SLE diagnosis was a relief.

[steve61 in reply to Guatmom]

Did you get any pain or discomfort in yer back or under ribs, and nausea? 👍

[Guatmom]

yes, plus extreme fatigue. I went to the ER thinking it was my gallbladder, but the CT showed a massive pleural effusion. They drained more than a liter of fluid off my lung.

[steve61 in reply to Guatmom]

Yes I get the fatigue, but don't sleep well atm, seem to feel more discomfort lying down!I have no cough or don't cough phlegm up, but sometimes feel I have it in my throat. No weight loss so far 🙏

Steve

[Guatmom]

I’m in the USA, so we have recliners for living room chairs. I slept in a recliner for months. I could breathe easier when still partially upright. With the extreme fatigue, it seemed I was always sitting there. We finally bought a double recliner so I could at least sit by my husband. I usually have a chronic cough, but when fluid was high in lung, I didn’t cough. I lost weight because of the nausea/vomiting.

[steve61 in reply to Guatmom]

Hi G, hope you well, just an update on my problem, I finally got my results from the sample taken from my lung!I was very nervous waiting to see the doc, felt sick when she shouted me as I was expecting bad news!

I went for an x-ray before clinic, and the doctor said the fluid had gone and there was no cancer cells in the fluid!

I won't lie, I teared up! I went through 6 weeks of hell worrying, as I didn't tell my wife as she was due to having full hip replacement!!

So I've been caring for her as well as worrying about my outcome!

The doc said the fluid could return,but at least we now know about it!

So one less worry at the moment 🙏

Thanks Steve