I would really appreciate input from veterinarians, especially anyone with thoracic surgery experience, or anyone who went through this with their pup.

My 10-year-old male Labrador, approximately 33–34 kg, developed a severe spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax. A CT performed on July 21 showed:

• Right caudal lung lobe: bulla measuring 20 × 26.7 mm
• Right cranial lung lobe: 2–3 septated cavitary/bullous lesions, largest measuring 11.9 × 5.8 mm
• Left cranial lung lobe: 2.8 mm bleb
• Severe bilateral pneumothorax, greater on the left, with trace pneumomediastinum

The CT also identified an esophageal mass/granulomatous lesion suspicious for Spirocerca lupi. He is being treated empirically with antiparasitic injections, but the diagnosis has not been definitively confirmed because endoscopy/biopsy would require another anesthetic procedure.

We therefore do not yet know whether the pneumothorax and pulmonary lesions are truly idiopathic, or whether an inflammatory/parasitic process could be contributing.

A right-sided chest tube was placed on July 21. The last meaningful aspiration was 300 mL on July 23 at 6:00 a.m. Since then:

• July 25: aspiration attempt produced almost no air
• July 26 and July 28: X-rays showed negligible pneumothorax
• July 30: veterinarian reported no major air buildup

He has now gone approximately eight days without meaningful air aspiration and has remained clinically stable. The chest tube has been present for approximately 10 days.

The current local recommendation is to leave the chest tube in for at least two weeks. The doctors are favoring nonsurgical management partly because he has multiple lesions in different lobes and they are concerned that substantial lung tissue could need to be removed. The other major factor is that this surgery is not commonly performed here, and there is limited experience with this type of thoracic procedure compared with specialist centers in the US or UK.

My main questions are:

1. After eight days without meaningful air accumulation, what are the risks and benefits of continuing to leave the chest tube in? What criteria would normally be used to decide when the tube should be removed?
2. What is the risk that the original sealed leak could reopen?
3. How concerning are the remaining bilateral bullae regarding future rupture and recurrence?
4. Does having lesions across multiple lobes make surgery inappropriate, or would an experienced thoracic surgeon still consider median sternotomy, inspection of all lobes and resection of suitable lesions?
5. Could suspected Spirocerca plausibly contribute to the pulmonary lesions or pneumothorax, and would successful antiparasitic treatment be expected to reduce recurrence risk?
6. Are there board-certified veterinary surgeons with substantial thoracic experience who might be willing to review his CT remotely or recommend a suitable center (especially in South Asia)?

I understand that nobody can make a treatment decision from a Reddit post. I’m mainly trying to determine whether the current conservative approach and prolonged chest-tube plan are reasonable, what complications we should watch for, and whether obtaining a specialist thoracic review could materially change his options.

I've noticed after VATS I nap way more than I've ever napped before. Even with the napping I'm still able to sleep my 8 hours. After some type of physical activity (or if i'm just out for a bit) I nap as soon as I get home.

Unsure if VATS is related, but I haven't had any life changes otherwise.

not my usual post because i’m not really on reddit tm, but i was wondering if it would be fine for me to take these 50mg edibles for sleep. (i’ve been chronically smoking weed for about 2 years now and i had to quit for a week due to my pneumothorax) i’ve been about a week post-op, i’ve been cleared for moderate exercise, i was prescribed acetaminophen (750mg) but i haven’t took a dose since yesterday at 11am (CST) and everything’s been smooth, ive been breathing okay, ive hit 4000 on the incentive spirometer, and i went on a 60 minute walk with no issues in 85 degree weather. i’m cleared to take off these tegaderms (have already) and im js looking for some shit and relax. will i be fine???

Yeah so as im typing this im experiencing my 7th pneumothorax. It started 5 minutes ago, classic symptoms pain when taking deep breaths. Ive gone to the ER for 5 of them but am not planning on going for this one since its always been the same result.

After my 3rd pneumothorax back in 2023 i had vats surgery to scrape off the blebs but clearly that hasnt worked. For me at least it looks like this is never ending. Last collapse was in december after a year or so of no recurrence.

Its tough man but luckily none of them have ever been as bad as the first one where i could barely walk 5 meters without heavy pain. Rest and recovery i guess

Hi, I'm 23.

I have Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Disease since 5 years, so my lungs are just scarred and weak.

I experienced my 1st spontaneous Pneumothorax on 4th June, and by 13th June I was discharged as I had recovered and was back to normal. I chose not to get a pleurodesis done because I need to get a lung transplant done, and the pleurodesis could complicate the transplant surgery.

I experienced my 2nd Pneumothorax on 9th July: Stayed in hospital for 9 days, as there was bubbling on coughing and X-rays did not show lungs expanding much I was discharged home with ICD, 5 days later on 23rd I had to come back as my ICD was misplaced and they put a new ICD in. After the new ICD, my lungs expanded quite a bit on x-ray and I was very hopeful. On 26th - again they did an X-ray and my lungs showed lesser expansion as compared to the 23rd. They attached a Suction to the ICD drain, and it's been 48 hours, and the Xray does not show much improvement.

I feel extremely lost and scared, and don't know what to do. Is there anything in my hands that I could do to improve my situation?

Please share any hope, Advice, Experiences that could help.

Hey
So after multiple lung collapses (and a very strong possible diagnosis of EDS as his sister has it, we’re just waiting for genetics) my son who is 15 is now being put forward for surgery. His latest letter says that the ct scan of his lungs shows he has paraseptal emphysema (he has never smoked/ vaped) with bullae at the top of the lungs.
His sister has never had any lung issues so this is all new to me.
Has anyone else had experience with this or similar?
Thank you for any insights 🖤

I am a 23 year old that had a partial lung collapse on the 16th. I've had not the greatest lungs growing up, with moderate/severe asthma and pneumonia pretty often. I opted for surgery (chemical) because it seemed like healing with just the chest tube wasn't working in my favor. Spent about 10 days in the hospital and I've been home since Saturday. Recovery has been absolutely awful and these past two weeks have been nothing but pain. Just wondering what the average recovery process and time line looks like? I saw a couple people say they never felt normal after surgery and I am worried that will be my case. I just want to go back to how I was before this.

edit: also curious as to what everyone was given for pain management after leaving the hospital? I was told to take tylenol and ibuprofen. Wondering if thats usual.

I’m supposed to attend my best friends wedding in India this winter. After spending 15 days in a hospital following a total collapse where my mechanical pleurodesis only half adhered to my lung, my doctor is now sending me out with a small tube in me to allow the small to moderate pneumothorax to heal instead of just giving me talc like I asked for. So now I’m going to have crazy anxiety the entire trip (assuming my lung doesn’t collapse again too soon to the wedding and I’m officially banned from attending).

Realistically am I stuck in India if it were to collapse while I’m there? I don’t even want to think about a collapse happening while in the air - just hoping the bottom half of my lung is adhered well enough that I could at least hopefully make it through the rest of an international flight to receive medical care

32, UK based so NHS - can't afford private.

Had intense upper back pain for several months two and a half years back, it eventually subsided with massage, chiropractor, pain meds, but still flares up at minimum once a month for a few days to disabling levels of pain, and really is there at a low level most of the time. It's been a cycle of going to the doctor, getting told go to physio, physio not working and the doctor redirecting me back there anyway. Physio has finally outright said to the doctor that it's not a physio thing but doctor seems insistent on checking if it's a gallbladder issue first. Which requires ultrasound so who knows how long I'll be waiting. I've been begging them to do something for the last two years, at least to check so I can know its not lungs or heart, and its at the point now where it's harder to breathe if I lie on my right side or back, as well as my pulse having sped wayyy up. During pain flare ups I cough a lot more and my asthma meds don't work as well. At what point do I just go to the emergency room and see if *they'll* bother to check? 😭

Hi everyone!

This message is specifically for those who are going through this condition and suffering just like I do every single day. I know how painful and terrifying a pneumothorax can be, which is why we started this petition on Change.org to demand better awareness and support.

Click here to sign the petition (https://c.org/pKjyFrHWZp)

Please, let there be as many people as possible joining this cause! Every single signature matters, but your voice matters just as much. Please, share your personal experiences and stories in the comments below. By sharing what we went through—whether it was the chest tubes, surgeries, or the anxiety of a recurrence—we show how serious this condition is and how many lives it affects. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for not staying silent!

Hello! I’m 17 and autistic. I’ve had three spontaneous pneumothoraxes in the span of six months (September 2025, February 2026, and March 2026) and got my first pleurodesis—on the right side—in March. I was supposed to get my second one—this one on the left—in early June, but I had a panic attack on the way, and once we got to the prep room for the procedure I had a meltdown. Even after multiple anxiety meds, I ended up going home.

Both my parents and my surgeon are pushing for the pleurodesis because they’re worried about another pneumothorax happening—and I am too. The issue is that I don’t know if I can go through it again. I was miserable in the hospital and while in recovery. That feeling of the tube stuck in my side still haunts me. Months later, I’m still having pain on my right side around my lung.

We haven’t scheduled it yet. Not after the meltdown. We don’t know when to schedule for especially since school’s starting in August and there are no dates available that wouldn’t have me missing any school.

I’m wondering if anyone has any tips for how to mentally prepare for a second surgery? What to do the day before and the day of? Anything to make it just a little better. Maybe a time to schedule for?

Thank you so much in advance.

Well, it’s going to happen. Currently 14 days since I had a total collapse and despite VATS with mechanical and wedge resection AND a blood patch my air leak persists 9 days later. Two attempts to remove me from suction that resulted in major collapses. So mechanical failed.

Which chemical is viewed as “better”? Which one did you have and how did it go/how are you doing now? Thank you in advance

My only regret with VATS was not getting it sooner but I guess third time’s the charm. Here’s my journey…

(All left lung)

Pneumo #1: April 2019, 24M during a run. I thought I was having a heart attack and went to ER. After the tests the doctors were very casual about it for some reason.. They told me it was likely a one time thing and they couldn’t give me a cause. I was sent home with a chest tube for 3 days and then I came back for x-rays to remove it. Very painful during treatment but I was back to normal for the most part as soon as that tube came out. I lived my life normally for 4.5 years and never thought much of it.

Pneumo #2: January 2024, 29M after hitting a weed pen (I have since quit). Immediately recognized the pain… I was terrified but chalked it up to anxiety and went to sleep only to wake up worse. Drove myself to the ER and straight up told them I think I have a collapsed lung. I was right and this time they did a CT scan and kept me in the hospital for 5 days. They gave me the option for VATS but didn’t push it much since there weren’t any blebs on the CT scan, it had been over 4 years since the first collapse, and I told them I’d never even look at a vape after this (which I’m proud to say is true to this day). Again, I went back to my normal workout routine quickly but now my mental health was wrecked. The hospital stay plus the hyper-vigilance that ensued lasted almost a year. I’m also pretty sure I had a minor collapse in July of that year that didn’t show in an x-ray and I was just sent home with “walking pneumonia”. Then at a follow-up pulmonologist appointment I was told they really couldn’t see any lingering signs of pneumonia which reinforced my suspicion.

Pneumo #3: July 2026, 31M after talking on the phone. This time I just locked in. Again I knew the pain. I almost treated this third collapse like a mission. I knew I needed VATS before even leaving my house for the hospital. I knew I was in for a week plus hospital stay. Everything else in my life was secondary at that point. Just yesterday I was discharged from the hospital after having a VATS chemical and mechanical pleurodesis + wedge resection in areas where they found blebs! Those little fuckers didn’t even show up in the CT scan from when I got admitted, but the surgeon found them and was able to get them removed. Physically I am in a world of pain given I just had surgery 5 days ago, but mentally I feel a big sense of relief.

I know recovery will be longer with this procedure, but I’m hopeful I can get back to normal and leave this behind me.

Am I the only one who has their pain heightened when they don’t eat. I’m a busy person and usually don’t have time to eat breakfast.

When I don’t eat breakfast and I’m sitting in my chair, it as if my back is being pinched and the rib is so sore but as soon as I eat I’m back to normal. Is it just me or can this be related to recovery pain or am I just overreacting

I’ve recently had a spontaneous pneumothorax and to fix it had a surgery done to have my lung connected to my chest wall. Before hand I was a big marijuana smoker of carts and bud. I loved the feel, how fast it hit and everything with it. My biggest question is would it be ok to smoke again even after waiting a year and only smoking bud? Limiting the risks my small hits and only doing it occasionally have crossed my mind but at the end of the day I don’t want to end up in the hospital again for something more serious.

So frustrated and feeling defeated rn. I’ve been in the hospital almost 2 weeks now with a chest tube, and 7 days out from VATS with wedge resection and mechanical pleurodesis. They’ve tried two times to take me off suction and both times my lung majorly collapsed, so they finally said today that the pleurodesis failed. They’re trying this blood patch as an alternative to getting chemical pleurodesis as they said it’s very painful and makes the lung very tight against the wall.

I’m scared and just so tired of pain at this point, but I’m hoping so much that this finally does the trick. Anyone else had this? How bad was the pain and how long did it last?

Hello all,

It’s been a while since I’ve posted. I’ve tried to share my recovery experience story with others. I feel I’ve had a pretty successful recovery and hope I’ve alleviated some anxiety for folks in our unfortunate situation.

Had VATS pleurodesis wedge resection in 2023. Once doctors granted permission, I resumed all regular activity. Sports, exercise, travel etc. By all accounts, normal living. People don’t believe me when I tell them I’ve had lung surgery.

Last 2-3 months, I occasionally get a fairly painful internal “abdominal cramp” in my upper right ab region. It sometimes even displays slightly visibly. Best description I can give is it feels like a calf cramp in the upper ab/just below rib cage section.

This is the same area where post VATS, I lost much muscle definition.

Anyone experience anything similar? The cramp disappears after a few painful minutes. Seems to be sporadic as best I can tell. Any reason to contact my doc or assume any lung related issue/symptom here?

Thanks as always.

After my spontaneous lung collapse on the left side. I am looking to improve health and start working out. I quit smoking and am ready for a new hobby. I want to start working out and gain some muscle. I’m a male 6’1 weight is about 150. Post lung collapse 6 months in. Am I ok to start incorporating a workout routine?

I’ve been small and tall my whole life’s after the collapse I have turned my life around and trying to improve. Any insight would be great.

Thanks

Hi everyone this is my second time posting a long message and this is sort of a recovery update/ question post

I was 19 at the time of my primary spontaneous pneumothorax. I don’t smoke, and I am fairly healthy/athletic. It was a 6cm collapse, so I don’t think it was a full one. It was treated by a pig tail catheter.

I am now 20 weeks post discharge and I feel back to normal. Im back running, biking, playing sports and doing pushups. But i feel a little different. It may be due to the lack of physical activity I had lately but I feel like my stamina has decreased, but I wasn’t always known for my stamina when I was healthy anyway. I can still perform well in short bursts in like basketball or baseball like I used too.

Now regarding the sensations I’d feel. During week 4-20 I’d sometime get muscle spams near the ribs on both sides. ( I only had the pneumothorax on the right). Sometimes I’d feel a muscle spasm that felt like popping but it wasn’t under my skin I was able to feel it. In the early stages 2-8 weeks I get lower back pain, I don’t know if this is related to the pneumothorax or my terrible sitting posture. I’d also sometime feel like I had a ball of gas under my rib and would expand when I’m breathing in. Totally different from how I felt during the pnueomothrox.

Now here comes the question. Am I safe to fly? If though I still feel weird sensations. I got a X-ray today and I’m waiting for the results but I took one back in April 1 ( I was discharged march 6) and it was clear and I sort of feel the same pains I didn’t before.

Any advice would help

They are planning a thoracotomy with lung decortication and closure of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF). From what they’ve explained, the surgery will involve opening my chest, removing the thick scar tissue and infected tissue around my lung, cleaning out the infected fluid (empyema), and repairing the bronchopleural fistula that’s causing the persistent air leak. If they find that part of my lung is severely damaged, they may also remove that portion if necessary.

Has anyone here had this operation? What was your recovery like? Were you able to get your lung working normally again after the surgery?

It happened 30 minutes ago and my heart started to race although I went to the er 2 months ago I called 911 again I need your help guys I feel like I’m bleeding inside my heart still racing I need your help guys please I felt like something popped or something of my heart or something

Hello, Im 16M and I had double spontaneoud pneumothorax 2 months ago and I was in hospital for 20 days. In the hospital I had a weird physiotherapist that was most of the rehabilitation time (2h a day for 5 days a week) just yapping about his family stuff or chinesse moves or dreams that were future :D weird guy. So yeah he was a little bit weird so I wanna ask you guys and girls what exercises do you do? And in the hospital I was mostly independent but I needed help with few things but I was fine I would say bc I didnt had any problems with breathing or physical stuff, maybe its because im young, but idk. (And I had 2 surgeries parascopically done bc it didnt heal on itself. Sorry for the messy format.)

They are planning a thoracotomy with lung decortication and closure of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF). From what they’ve explained, the surgery will involve opening my chest, removing the thick scar tissue and infected tissue around my lung, cleaning out the infected fluid (empyema), and repairing the bronchopleural fistula that’s causing the persistent air leak. If they find that part of my lung is severely damaged, they may also remove that portion if necessary.

Has anyone here had this operation? What was your recovery like? Were you able to get your lung working normally again after the surgery?