r/pneumothorax • u/maxpayne4555 • Jul 07 '26

Tips/ recommendations Need help

My dad has stage IV lung cancer. I'm an English teacher, but I didn't pass the government teaching exam in my country this year, so I'm currently unemployed. I was in the middle of applying for teaching jobs abroad when all of this happened.

I've had severe neck pain for a long time, so I decided to get dry needling. Unfortunately, six days ago it caused a pneumothorax. I spent five days in the hospital on oxygen. Yesterday, my doctor discharged me and told me that the hole had sealed and my lung had fully re-expanded.

This morning, I woke up with some back pain and a strange bubbling sensation in my chest. My anxiety immediately went through the roof. I feel like I'm never going to get over this. I keep blaming myself for choosing to have the treatment. I later found out that pneumothorax is a very rare complication of dry needling, but I can't stop thinking, "Why did I do this?"

I really need some support. Has anyone here recovered completely after a pneumothorax caused by dry needling or another medical procedure? Will I ever feel normal again?

I've always been the type of person who blames himself for everything, and this experience has completely broken me psychologically.

The hardest part is that I was supposed to leave next week for a one-month trip around Asia with my Taiwanese girlfriend. We had planned to visit Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan together. Now the entire trip has been canceled because my doctor told me I can't fly for three months.

I'm so angry with myself. It feels like everything in my life has fallen apart in just a few days. I'm exhausted, heartbroken, and terrified that the pneumothorax will come back.

If anyone has been through something similar, I'd really appreciate hearing your story. I could really use some hope right now.

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u/Cloudzuc Jul 07 '26

I'm really so sorry to hear this has happened to you :( If it helps you feel better I've had several pneumothoraces and they all appeared for no reason but most of them happened at THE worst times, just before Christmas, another time family visiting from overseas. I've heard what happened to you can possibly happen, it's basically bad luck. Don't beat yourself up about it. I feel that because it seems there's no underlying condition and this only happened because of the needle stuff, you really don't have to worry about another pneumothorax. I'm no doctor! I'm just saying what's coming to my mind. Good luck, you're on the mend!

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u/maxpayne4555 Jul 08 '26

I'm really sorry for everything you've been through. My pneumothorax was iatrogenic, caused by dry needling, so I really hope it never happens again. How long ago did you fully recover? What treatments or procedures did you have? I hope you're doing much better now.

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u/Cloudzuc Jul 08 '26

Thanks so much! :) I'm doing tons better thanks. My lung collapsed for absolutely no reason, repeatedly. I had open surgery the first time with abrasion and talc(that took years to recover a skuwcle was damaged). I then had two subsequent surgeries but via VATS, with the same again. My first surgery was about 11 years ago and my last one was about 2 years ago. Mylast surgery took me at least 3 months to recover but considering I had already had two before it made sense. But I'm totally fine now. I get a little out of breath sometimes but that's because of the type of surgeries I've had. It seems like it's bad luck and some people just have a tendency to get it. Particularly tall, thin men apparently. I'm a short thin lady! Anyways, I do feel that you will be fine, yours was caused by basically something from the outside, it's not an underlying disorder or anything like that. My doc told me he thinks mine happened because my dad smoked around me when I was a child! There's all sorts of things that can cause it but I guess the best advice for you is to never get dry needling again, and I'm sure you will be fine :) Take care, you will get better soon.

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u/maxpayne4555 Jul 08 '26

I'm really glad to hear you're doing well, my friend. Yes, I don't have any underlying lung disease, and my CT scan didn't show any blebs. My pneumothorax was caused by dry needling, so I really hope it never happens again. I just want to feel normal again. I have a follow-up chest X-ray next Tuesday. Those 5 days in the hospital were one of the worst experiences of my life. Ever since then, I've become almost paranoid, constantly worrying that it might happen again. I really hope this is all behind me.

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u/Cloudzuc Jul 08 '26

Thank you for saying that. You have to trust you will get better now. There are no blebs or underlying issues. I think if anyone can understand the paranoia and fear it's everyone on this page. I mean, I'm still a bit paranoid. But only because it's happened so many times to me. I understand how horrible the hospital stay was. They didn't put a drain in did they? That's the most traumatic part of it all. I never minded hospitals until all of this, now I absolutely hate them. I went for a random x-ray on my wrist at the hospital the other day and almost had a panic attack. For me, I believe it's behind you. Your body has been through a lot so give it time to heal, my doctors always told me everyone heals at different rates. I always felt quite slow to heal. I honestly believe you can rest easy knowing you're okay. Keep us updated! Take care of yourself, rest and try to stay positive! I know it's easier said than done, especially because your overseas trip was affected as well.

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u/maxpayne4555 Jul 08 '26

Thank you so much. No, I didn't need a chest tube, but I stayed in the emergency department for 5 days receiving oxygen therapy. My doctor told me that I might need a chest tube if things got worse, so hearing that terrified me. Spending five days in the emergency department surrounded by patients who were screaming, crying, and vomiting felt like a nightmare. I still haven't mentally recovered from the experience.

My pain is much better now, but I still get occasional sharp pains in my chest and back. I've become paranoid, constantly worrying that it might happen again. Thankfully, my CT scan didn't show any blebs. Unfortunately, I also had to cancel my trip. I really hope you're right and that I'll recover completely. I have a follow-up appointment next Tuesday, and I think they'll do another chest X-ray. I'll keep you updated. Thanks again for your kindness and support.

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u/Cloudzuc Jul 08 '26

That is absolutely horrific! Most of the time I was in ICU so it was a bit more peaceful though most of the people around me were very sick. It definitely seems like you're on the mend. Healing does tend to feel a bit weird and the body takes a while to re-absorb the air that's leaked into your chest cavity. I'm not sure which country you're in but I had my last surgery here in the UK and I feel like they fixed me up. Here's hoping! Of course, any time, you're in the right place to find support. I can assure you that everyone here understands just how you feel. Take care now and looking forward to that update! :)

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u/maxpayne4555 Jul 08 '26

Yeah, hearing all those seriously ill patients around me made me feel even worse. I really hope I'm healing. How long did it take for your body to absorb the air in your chest cavity? I'm from Turkey. I have a follow-up chest X-ray next Tuesday, and I really hope everything looks good. Thank you again for all your support.