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What Precautions Should Be Taken When Suffering From COPD With Emphysema And Pneumothorax?

Posted on Tue, 6 May 2014

Question: Recently underwent surgery to attach lungs to chest cavity due to ruptured and collapsed lungs. Wife has pneumonia. Any precautions that should be taken? Start meds just in case? Signs or symptoms to look for? I've been struggling breathing this week which isn't the case usually these days and that concerns me.

Answered by Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer: You seem to have undergone pleurodesis. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for posting the query on HCM. After going through your query, I would like to comment the following: 1. You seem to be suffering from COPD with emphysema with pneumothorax (underwent pleurodesis) with Parkinsonism with GERD currently on LTOT (Long term oxygen therapy). 2. Some amount of chest discofort is known to happen after pleurodesis which gradually decreases in about a month. If you are having breathing difficulties that seem to have increased then you should definitely get yourself evaluated by a Pulmonologist at the earliest and a repeat Chest Xray may be required. You need to continue with your inhalers and can increase the releiver inhalers doses if breathlessness is there. 3. Considering your age and lung co morbidities, you should definitely consider the yearly flu shots and 5 yearly pneumococcal vaccination. 4. If your wife is currently suffering from pneumonia, then apart from regularly taking her medications, she should also follow cough hygiene and use protective mask till the episode has subsided. I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any. Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries. Regards Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra MBBS MD DNB Consultant Pulmonologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (5 minutes later)

Is it common to feel breathless when oxygen level reads at 90? He has a lot of anxiety wondering what is normal to feel I guess is best way to describe it. Thanks for the above Info it was very helpful.

Answered by Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Yes. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the follow up. After going through your follow up query, I would like to comment the following: 1. Oxygen saturation less than 94% is associated with breathlessness, especially considering the fact that the patient is suffering from COPD and has recently underwent pleurodesis. 2. Long term Oxygen therapy should benefit him. 3. Also get a 2d echo done to rule out pulmonary hypertension. I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any. Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries. Regards Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra MBBS MD DNB Consultant Pulmonologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (23 hours later)

Thank you. He actually went to hospital this morning. They said his lungs are taking oxygen in but not releasing it. Is this a common problem in copd patients? Does it mean the lungs are not functioning properly? What is generally the process to improve this?

Answered by Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (11 hours later)

Brief Answer: Its called CO2 retention. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the follow up. After going through the query, I would like to comment the following: 1. He seems to be having CO2 retention at present. COPD patients do have these issues. 2. Low flow oxygen and non invasive ventilation should benefit him. 3. Also proper management of the underlying COPD with inhalers and oral medicines is required. I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any. Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries. Regards Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra MBBS MD DNB Consultant Pulmonologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar