 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Looking for experiences/expert knowledge of what to expect going forward...
Went into hospital in August last year with a pulmonary embolism and pneumonia, resulting in consolidation and collapse of most of my right lung (and most of my left as well going on the x-ray). Clot was identified on CT in my right lung.
At the time I was mid-way through training for a marathon so running 10+ miles regularly and felt generally in good shape - however looking back for several months beforehand I'd been having back pain on my right side extending into my shoulder, which then worsened extremely overnight and extended to intercostal neuralgia before I was admitted to hospital. I'd put this pain down at the time to likely RSI type problems (heavy mouse use on the computer doing tech drawings at work, extended periods of driving a car with annoying offset steering wheel, poor running form as it occassionally worsened during a run, etc.) but now wondering if this was a symptom of a pre-existing lung condition - for the first part of last year I had felt like it was taking an age to get warmed up during exercise and was blowing out my arse unless I worked slowly into a ride etc.
Following my hospital visit in August, things improved rapidly - possibly mostly the pneumonia clearing up, but on the 6 week check I still had right lower lobe collapse/atelectasis. Since then had a bronchoscopy which indicated infection still present so a 3 week course of further antibiotics; however this appears to have made zero difference going by the following chest x-ray.
My consultant advised exercising to try and force the lobe to re-inflate/get me coughing to shift mucus/etc. and last week I ran my first 5k since August last year. However, 3 days later I can feel the now familiar back pain extending to my shoulder returning, worse pain on deep breathing etc, noticeable shortness of breath from basic things like climbing stairs.
I had another CT scan on hogmanay, but haven't had results back yet. I've been repeatedly told "I don't think you have cancer", but any suggestions what's going on?
Is it 'normal' for me to still be having problems at this stage? I can't help feeling that there is some underlying cause which is why I've had symptoms for so long.
Mate, I have no experience of what you have been through, nor can I offer you any words on what to expect further down the line. But I can say good luck and hope you're back to full health soon.
Mate, I have no experience of what you have been through, nor can I offer you any words on what to expect further down the line. But I can say good luck and hope you're back to full health soon.
+1
I know what it's like to be in the hands of medics and not feel like you're getting a definitive view. You are (unless the rules differ in Scotland) entitled to a second opinion. If you have questions that you don't think are being answered with enough clarity, then something as serious as this surely warrants seeing someone else.
Good luck & heal fast.
It is still early days in your pulmonary rehab... However. If your shortness of breath is increasing again and the pain is returning then we need to have another look at you.
A&E please.
Where are you?
North of Inverness, being seen at Raigmore.
I'd feel a bit of a knob going to a&e - going on perceived effort:
- admission to hospital breathing ability 15-20%, pain 8.5-9/10
- 1 month after, breathing ability 65%, pain 1/10
- 3 month after, breathing ability 85%, pain 0/10 normally
- last night after run on Friday and funpool with kids yesterday, breathing 75%, pain 5/10
- today, breathing 85%, pain 2-3/10.
If I still felt like last night, I probably would go... Hmm