Atrial Fibrilation? Really? How weird

[JW50]

Wow..I have a genetic disposition..not sure what to call it to spontaneous pneumothorax I got it from my mother who also had to have the tubes then the full surgery where they staple the lung to the inner thoracic cavity.

Now if this was hereditary it usually(like 95%) happens during late adolescence. I had my first when I was 14..And my last..which also happened to be a complete collapse of one lung..when I was 17 and had the surgery.

Back when my mom had hers they just did the surgery..she was 16..It is nearly unheard of to have the initial hereditary spontaneous pneumothorax after 30..This is my understanding.

Now if it is caused by external factors and not hereditary..breathing incorrectly lifting weights can collapse a lung..Also breathing certain chemicals for extended periods of time can be a cause.

What happens to put it simply is either you are born with or something creates little blebs(sort of like blisters) on your lungs and they pop..weak spots on the lung..and air leaks into your thoracic cavity...NOW THE DANGER IS THIS AIR CAN PUSH YOUR HEART AROUND if the leak is big enough.

I had the tube 3x and then finally the surgery and have been fine ever since..all before I was 18.

Ive smoked since I was 13 and I know for a fact that smoking analogs do not cause this. I was told by all my doctors and surgeons that since I have a hereditary issue with my lung I'm an idiot to keep smoking BUT THERE IS NO DIRECT RELATIONSHIP. This was 22 years ago..maybe that has changed..
I've smoked up until a week ago ..was up to 2 packs a day and have not had any problems with spontaneous pneumothorax(even on the lung that is stapled if a bleb that they missed lets go I will hear a very faint gurgling noise).

*I hope some of this info has helped..Not sure..but be careful with even a mild collapsed lung as it can push your heart around..The thoracic cavity is essentially in a vacuum and likes to stay that way*

Have you worked with chemicals during your life..not well vented workplace using chemicals?

I wish you all the best and sending prayers your way

Based on your experiences and knowledge, could the chemicals of the e-cigs have caused the problem? Was does this mean in more lay language - "the full surgery where they staple the lung to the inner thoracic cavity"?

 

[Burn3d]

Based on your experiences and knowledge, could the chemicals of the e-cigs have caused the problem? Was does this mean in more lay language - "the full surgery where they staple the lung to the inner thoracic cavity"?

Well, as opposed to putting in a tube to drain the chest cavity and re inflate your lung giving it time to heal over the bleb(blister) they do a full open chest surgery and use some type of organic staples(I think they're a form of plastic) to basically brace your lung along your chest wall(inside the thoracic(chest) cavity)). This way your lung cannot collapse anymore even if a bleb lets go.
They also go in and scar over all the blebs(blisters/weak spots)..A scar is approx 2x as strong as reg tissue.

The tubes always worked but 6-8 months later my lung would collapse again..finally they realized the only solution was the full surgery

As far as the chemicals or whatever in carts and e-liquid--I have no way of knowing..At this point nobody does..

If it helps..6 years after this type of surgery I was fully qualified to join the Army. So it is not a progressive disorder(at least not mine) and after 6 years they consider you 100% healthy.

Now if it was caused by chemicals..as long as you are not exposed to those chemicals anymore..your lungs should not get worse..

I hope that was somewhat clear..I tend to ramble

Feel free to ask me about clarifying more..This is one thing I unfortunately know a bit about..but no problems in 20+ years since surgery and I smoked 2 packs a day towards the end of that..Was smoking 1 pack a day when I had surgery..



My concern right now with e-cigs is the heating of the filler in the carts and the solder used in the atomizer..I think the e-liquid is probably safe...unless you're allergic.

 

[Burn3d]

One last thing I wanted to clarify..Even though you may not know you have a partially collapsed lung..no pain..no big shortness of breath..It is still introducing air into a sealed cavity..That air MAY put pressure on the heart and cause all sorts of things.

I just can't get passed the fact that you had a full collapse of your lung and heart problems at the same time without any history of either. I would assume they are related.

If your lung collapsed once and it was healed with the tube(valve) It's quite possible..IMHO somewhat likely it will collapse again..To what degree?..Who knows?..You may not even realize it..

I would bring this up with you doctor as a remote possibility(the air in the thoracic cavity) may be contributing to your heart problems..Doctors hate to be wrong or miss things..Egos are touchy..Bring it up lightly and allow him to consider it and if so present it like he/she thought of it..Just my experience with doctors.

I hope all is going well with you..Take care, friend