Fluid Around Lungs

[Diane C]

Hi All,

I just did a search of our discussion board and found that someone posted that lack of mobility can lead to fluid around the lungs. I had urogyn surgery on March 6 to locate an infection that was never found but had a hysterectomy and also 3 hours worth of removing scar tissue between my small intestine and reproductive organs after 4 open surgeries.

I'd not been walking enough and with this pandemic, became lazy. Too much lying around. Tried to stay OFF the chair and computer. I've been wary of shopping but went a few times as my mother also needs supplies. Was NOT impressed by the safety at supermarkets so limit my visits and may start ordering.

In late March, my rib area felt sore. I finally had xrays of my chest, torso, left side, etc. No fractures but a small amount of fluid around my lungs and above my diaphragm. Dr. Google is frightening. On Tuesday, I must go to the hospital to get the fluid drained. The fluid will be biopsied to determine the reason for its existence and I hope this isn't another mystery. I also must get tested for Covid but am not coughing and don't have a temp. If all goes ok, I'll leave the hospital on Tuesday after the fluid is drained. I've been wearing masks, washing hands, etc. so send healing energy, please!

Has anyone experienced this, esp after surgery?

I'm still trying to cope with way too much gas from SIBO and leakage because of the distention which causes my wafer and tape/seals to pull away from my abdominal skin. I'm using Imodium, Gas-X, and sometimes Zegerid for reflux. Not all together but during the week. I'll start the FODMAP food plan to decrease the amount of gas. It's worsened since I switched from a colostomy to ileostomy in 2018... go figure. I've cut out dairy and fruit juice is definitely next.

Today, I order the Secure Seals mentioned in the post about scuba diving.

Thank you!

[To Dream a Dream]

Dear Diane: Am so very sorry! Have had no personal experience to date with this condition, but please know you are both being sent healing thoughts & fervent prayers.

[Diane C]

Thank you, To Dream. Much appreciated. I'll take any prayers I can get. I also apologize for not replying to your last message. I'm not in much pain but life has been a tad challenging with Covid-19, healing from my March surgery, and then thinking I somehow broke a rib or two only to find I've got fluid around the lungs, and getting supplies for my mom up in Rockville, MD -- although she is NOT a burden and asks for so little. To be honest, after a glance at Dr. Google, I stopped researching. It could be something simple (not enough exercise and I'll DEF do something about that!) or something more serious. I hope the radiologist and doctors diagnose the problem quickly once the fluid is aspirated. And that I don't test positive for Covid-19 when I go to Interventional Radiology on Tuesday. I don't think I will -- no cough or temp but realize it can be asymptomatic.

Logged on to see if anyone had any wisdom. Kind of an unusual issue for an ostomate! I do keep thinking about gas, SIBO, and so much output from my liver at times but not always. Trying to eat well and HYDRATE which DOES help. Lately, the output has looked better though is so active. I bought a generic of Imodium and wonder if I should stick with the "real thing" as the generic didn't seem very powerful.

Hope everyone is doing ok and not going stir crazy. I haven't been super productive. Good time to take online courses! I wonder if any ostomates here have caught the virus and HOPE NOT.

I admit I really miss Karen/Button. She always knew so much. Hope she knows we're thinking of her.

I'll report back when I know something... maybe Tuesday. I'm praying I'll be home that afternoon and not hospitalized. I am determined to think UP! Unsure how long it will take to figure out (I hope) what caused the fluid around my lungs.

Again, thank you!

[Luv2Sew]

I know I lie in bed too much too. Sending my wishes for a diagnosis and recovery. I miss Karen/Button too.

[Diane C]

Hi All,

Well, my body seems filled with mysteries (and other things). I went to the hospital on Tuesday to have the fluid around my lungs aspirated and to have the fluid tested. There are MANY causes for it -- some pretty nasty. We got all ready, the radiologists were using a sonogram to detect where the fluid was, and NONE could be found?!?! So, procedure canceled. Apparently, the body can absorb the fluid. I'm still a bit concerned -- why did it gather there in the first place? At times, I do feel pressure in my chest although it subsides.

The radiologists told me to ask my internist if I should get a MRI or other test of my chest. I've called him and so far, no call back. This is not a great time to change one's doctor but he's not been very helpful. I had asked for an EKG also and his staff had said that would be possible and doesn't take much time. He refused. I think he thought I had Covid and didn't really want me in his office although he did use his stethoscope to check my breathing which was fine. The virus has changed the demeanor of MANY, including medical professionals. At the hospital, I was swabbed and have no Covid-19, thank goodness -- which I later relayed to his staff. The radiologists also suggested I call my surgeons as I had abdominal surgery (hysterectomy and removal of scar tissue near small intestine) in early March -- and wondered if the surgery could have caused fluid around the lungs. Maybe an infection? I don't know -- but I guess the news is good. I'm paying attention to the pressure in my chest and am determined to get more exercise -- even if it's just cleaning in here! Walking helps everything and I can hear Karen/Button advising that.

I hope you all are doing ok and no cases of Covid-19.

[Diane C]

Just an update -- and I replied to To Dream about this because fluid around the lungs can feel as though there's pain near the ribs and make breathing difficult -- even though you have no Covid-19.

I now have fluid around my lungs on the right side -- just a small amount but am wheezing and have a history of very moderate asthma and never used inhalers. This can be caused by an infection and I'm hoping that's all it is. Far more serious reasons can cause the fluid but since it's only on 1 sign, that's a benefit. I get a CT-scan tomorrow.

This is more for To Dream. Because I've been VERY lazy about walking (NOT GOOD) and exercising and trying to get my core muscles back to shape after 4-5 open abdominal surgeries (much scar tissue), I used the wrong muscles when reaching for something. I wrenched my right side oblique muscles badly. WOW, did that hurt for at least 3 weeks! Was told to use Advil, topical ointments like Aspercreme, and heat. I told my pulmonologist but it's hard to see anything on an x-ray. The CT scan may show more.

Anyway, another challenge. I'm hoping this fluid around my lungs is not serious. E.g., an infection that an antibiotic can cure.

Stay safe. Be smart. Stay upbeat if possible.

[cdogtom]

sorry for your pain,i have had phemonia and finally got better but still breathing hard after walking short distance the doc told me to walk more , this all started in february now after not getting better and miffed at the docs reply i am getting heatted so i called the doc and got a script for predgionze (spell) to reduce inflamation so far that is working . i wonder why he did not give me the script before , i think he just did not listen to my problem ,hope this helps

[To Dream a Dream]

Dear Diane & Tom: Am hoping this finds you both improving. You have been through alot & I suspect our usual medical resources have been stretched too far by the current crisis. My prayers are with you. I am slowly regaining my reserve & am continuing carefully. Aging is probably a big factor in regaining strength. God bless you both & all of our board members who are facing difficulties.

[Diane C]

Ooops, I hadn't checked in here for a while. Apologies. Still waiting for a diagnosis. I had the fluid around my lungs aspirated last Thursday as it returned but on the right side this time. About 20 ounces of a fluid that was not cloudy (a good sign) but with a small amount of dark material in it was collected. Hoping to hear the results of the testing tomorrow -- and hope it's "just" a bacterial infection or something like that. As soon as the fluid was aspirated, it started to return the very next day in the same area. Nothing like mysteries!

Tom -- hope you are feeling better. In the last few years, I developed pneumonia and bronchitis over 2 winters which surprised me. Yes, I did get the vaccine. Guess my immunity isn't so hot.

Getting exercise remains a challenge that I must overcome! Determined to walk. I'm even recording sitting exercises on PBS early in the morning but this pandemic has affected me. WILL get out safely or walk the stairs.

Does anyone watch reruns of "House" on tv starring Hugh Lurie? I've gotten into that show and would like him as a doctor -- I think! Great problem solver although quite an attitude!

I hope folks are ok and safe. Must shop today (used to be fun!) so yes, I'll be wearing a mask.

Thank you for your concern.

[Diane C]

Quick update just FYI.

The pulmonologist had the fluid around my lungs tested after aspirating it. No sign of any cancer (whew!) and also no infection. No Covid. Stymied. I think there is a slight amount of build-up but not much this time. We're "watching" the condition but it's a(nother) puzzle. For now, I'm out of the woods concerning the fluid. So I can focus on the high output from my ileostomy and fat malabsorption!

I hope everyone up here is doing the best possible. Stay safe, use masks, and try to enjoy your days.

[JackieRose]

Dear Diane.
There is another possibility that might be causing your symptoms and that is your surgery going from colostomy to ileostomy. I had a similar incident some 15 or 20 years ago with the same sort of tests and various diagnoses.

Perhaps there is something remaining from your colostomy that needs to be handled not by medical intervention or even an ostomy nurse but by simple (or not so simple) management changes. In any case I doubt that a change in diet will do anything except make you more unhappy.

Yours truly,
JacKieRose

[Diane C]

Thank you, JackieRose.

Apologies for not being on the board lately. Haven't been eating too well -- supposed to have several small meals/day and have not stuck to that. I also had gone off my supplements and am now back on. Had a physical primarily because some recommended an EKG due to the fluid around my lungs. Physical was fine but I am SLIGHTLY anemic. I'm back on Vitron-C which helps me easily with iron (GI doc had suggested) and even cooking buffalo burgers though I don't often have beef. I'm struggling with absorption of fat in my pancreas and will be seeing a nutritionist in a few weeks. My doctor had samples of an enzyme called Zenpep but wanted me to do without Imodium or the other sample that replaces Imodium -- Motofen. So, my stoma has been super active even without food since other waste is spouting out. Very uncomfy -- and staining clothes. Several things are going on. Hard to explain. I see the pulmonologist this Wed to check for fluid. It's there but I barely feel it and it doesn't hurt this time. Pulmonologist said I'd get an Xray or sonogram and if this continues, he'd insert a tiny camera in my chest -- which is more surgery. Ugh! So we shall see. I haven't been exercising much tho mean to and wonder if that is a factor.

Have been busy at home and also helping my elderly mother. Kind of overwhelmed tho am not working. I absolutely must pay more attn to diet and exercise! Am hydrating.

I used to have a colostomy but now have an ileostomy. I'm unsure how that would lead to fluid around my lungs but could have an infection. I had major surgery in March 2020 -- am wondering about that. Time will tell.

Stay cool, all!

[JackieRose]

Dear Diane,
Might it not be possible that some small part of your colon remains hidden or nearly hidden below your ileostomy? This could lead to fluid in your lungs. I'm not a medical person but my experience has made me untrusting of doctors, quite the opposite of your attitude. I've been diagnosed with COPD, Cancer and I can't remember what else -- one famous surgeon broke down in tears because he couldn't do his usual examination on me. This happened in three of New York's world famous hospitals. I'm 82 years old and still struggle almost every day with my ostomy. I pay for my supplies out of pocket because medicare demands a doctor's order for each six months of supply, even though I am approved for permanent medicare appliances, and doctors' all require tests each time you see them which I refuse so they refuse to sign my order for my supplies. I tell you all this because you probably didn't pay too much attention to what I said. After all, we are opposites.

Best of luck,
JackieRose

[cdogtom]

Thank you, JackieRose.

Apologies for not being on the board lately. Haven't been eating too well -- supposed to have several small meals/day and have not stuck to that. I also had gone off my supplements and am now back on. Had a physical primarily because some recommended an EKG due to the fluid around my lungs. Physical was fine but I am SLIGHTLY anemic. I'm back on Vitron-C which helps me easily with iron (GI doc had suggested) and even cooking buffalo burgers though I don't often have beef. I'm struggling with absorption of fat in my pancreas and will be seeing a nutritionist in a few weeks. My doctor had samples of an enzyme called Zenpep but wanted me to do without Imodium or the other sample that replaces Imodium -- Motofen. So, my stoma has been super active even without food since other waste is spouting out. Very uncomfy -- and staining clothes. Several things are going on. Hard to explain. I see the pulmonologist this Wed to check for fluid. It's there but I barely feel it and it doesn't hurt this time. Pulmonologist said I'd get an Xray or sonogram and if this continues, he'd insert a tiny camera in my chest -- which is more surgery. Ugh! So we shall see. I haven't been exercising much tho mean to and wonder if that is a factor.

Have been busy at home and also helping my elderly mother. Kind of overwhelmed tho am not working. I absolutely must pay more attn to diet and exercise! Am hydrating.

I used to have a colostomy but now have an ileostomy. I'm unsure how that would lead to fluid around my lungs but could have an infection. I had major surgery in March 2020 -- am wondering about that. Time will tell.

Stay cool, all!

sorry for your troubles ,i am anemic as well but not bleeding , from the blood test i am not making enough blood cells (white n red) so now i have my blood doc and taking chemo ,all this after i had phonomia (spell) second opion is always good

[nickolas]

Diane, hope you are doing better. Thinking of you,

nickolas