Things not quite right! - 1255522

aunttootsie001
Posts:324

Okay just wanted to update my situation. Was having Fluid build up and needed to be drained every 2 - 3 weeks! Surgeon decided to do the Chemical one since he said Talc one does tend to clump up! I 'm not sure if I would recommend this procedure for anyone who might be fraile? I came in on Thurs. April 4th had Surgical Chemical Pleurodesis. The problem came whe my Surgeon tried to loosen a section of the Lining so he could do the procedure. A little hole was created so it took me almost 4days to heal the leak! Fluid increased during this time. Surgeon decided to do the Chemical treatment bedside and I was Blown away with how bad the Pain was. He put chemical and Lydocaine in the lung and gave me 4 grams Morphine and I had to have 2 Percocet on top of that! The pain was excruciating after he clamped it I had to turn on my side fr a half hour turn on my Back and then on my left side! This went on for almost two hours. It better work! Not doing that again! They have the Oaisis Dry Suction on me. Filled one up and now working on my second one. Any suggestions for me to help make this work? Thanks Dr's

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Reply # - April 9, 2013, 09:48 AM

catdander
Posts:

Hi Lorrie, I'm so sorry the procedure was so painful.
I'll ask a doctor to comment on your question.
I hope the procedure works and you are feeling better soon.

Janine

Reply # - April 9, 2013, 08:14 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

Unfortunately, the pleurodesis process can cause pain and fever, because it's a procedure done to create inflammation, which is then used to lead to scarring that tacks up the outside of the lung to the inside of the chest wall. But that process can definitely be uncomfortable, so I don't think there's anything to do except get the supportive stuff -- things like opioid pain medications, tylenol, etc. -- to minimize the unpleasantness of the situation.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

Reply # - April 9, 2013, 09:28 PM

laya d.
Posts: 714

Ohhh noooo. . .that sounds just awful! I'm so sorry you went through this. . .But here's to excellent results!!!!

xoxo,
Laya

Reply # - April 10, 2013, 05:49 AM

aunttootsie001
Posts: 324

I doubt Tylenol would even touch the Tip of the pain? I had Morphine and Percocet and was still in a lot of pain! That is just like the told me a Bone Biopsy won't hurt! Honestly I can handle a normal amount if pain, I had 2 babies with no apertural. No spinal. This pain was worse than that! At least the procedure was worth it! I may get the tube out today and either GI Home today it maybe even as late as tomorrow!

Reply # - April 10, 2013, 09:22 AM

catdander
Posts:

Lorrie, It sounds as if you would have been better off under general anesthesia or at least a lot more pain meds. I assume and hope you are feeling alright now. If not get those pain meds figured out.
Hope you're home soon.

Reply # - April 11, 2013, 06:30 AM

certain spring
Posts: 762

Sounds horrible, sorry you had to go through that. My alarm bells go off when doctors say things like "You may experience some discomfort" (= "This will be exceptionally painful").
Hope the procedure turns out to have worked and you get some relief. All best.

Reply # - April 14, 2013, 04:51 PM

aunttootsie001
Posts: 324

General Anesthesia would be my recommendation. That was done on Tuesday and after another evenings stay it had stopped draining so the procedure as painful as it was at least was a success! I got to go home on Thurs. it was seeping out around my incision where my tube was but once the tube was removed and sutured up it stopped. Home a couple Days now and doing pretty well! I see my ONC tomorrow. The gurgling and Rattling is gone! I'm praying it is gone for good! Thanks for your support! Lorrie.

Reply # - April 14, 2013, 06:37 PM

JimC
Posts: 2753

Great outcome, Lorrie! Hope you're right that the gurgling and rattling is gone for good. Best wishes for a good onc visit and that you continue to feel better and better.

JimC
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Reply # - April 14, 2013, 07:22 PM

aunttootsie001
Posts: 324

Thanks Jim. Doing much better today! Sleeping Flat on my Back for the first time in quit some time! Lorrie!

Reply # - April 14, 2013, 07:32 PM

marisa93
Posts: 215

Lorrie,

Glad to hear you are doing so much better! Sending best wishes and hoping your onc visit goes well. Take care.

Lisa

Reply # - April 14, 2013, 09:08 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

Great to hear you've had a lot of improvement. Now that the acute side effects are going away, I hope that you come to feel it was definitely worthwhile.

-Dr. West

Reply # - April 16, 2013, 08:35 AM

aunttootsie001
Posts: 324

What would be normal for me to expect at this point? I had an appointment for 2 weeks out from Surgery and they called and moved it they said it was too soon to take the X-ray? How long does it take to go back to normal after this procedure? Doesn't seem like anyone wants us to go to Florida? Even my Husbands Dr. Has his appointment the day before mine. I still want to go but if he has to have any tests then will have to scratch it! As it is I only get to see my baby brother once a year and it is really getting harder and harder to make the trip? What can I do to ensure that lung is healing in away as to not allow any fluid to reaccumilate?

Reply # - April 16, 2013, 09:26 AM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

You've already done the best you can, but the scarring is supposed to be permanent, so it never goes back to normal. I don't know what their threshold would be for saying it's OK to travel -- that's more of a judgment from the individual doctors, so you would need to clarify with them.

-Dr. West

Reply # - April 16, 2013, 10:25 AM

catdander
Posts:

I found this to be the only instructional type info on pleurodesis. I found the part about avoiding anti-inflammatories understandable and interesting.

"After the procedure, you are likely to feel sore at the site of the chest tube or when taking a deep breath. Some patients develop a fever. The doctor may prescribe pain medication. You should avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, which will interfere with the adhesion of the pleural layers. Check with your health team for specific post-procedure instructions." found, http://www.maacenter.org/mesothelioma/treatment/surgery/pleurodesis.php

Reply # - April 16, 2013, 10:34 AM

aunttootsie001
Posts: 324

Well then it's just a wait and see from here out! I didn't know about the Ibprofin. I will remember that! Thanks!

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