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Bibasilar subsegmental atelectasis (lung collapse)
Hi, I've been having breathing problems, chest pain for over a month now. All of my symptoms started on February 23, 2019 after I was running and overexerted myself pretty badly. For weeks my doctor was giving me anxiety as the cause, until finally I bothered him enough that he ordered a stress test. When they did the stress test they found "possible pericarditis" and I was started on colchicine and ibuprofen. However, in the blood test they did not find any inflammatory markers. I've gotten worse since. I have shortness of breath all the time and rapid breathing attacks more often. My heart also has had periods of fast beating out of nowhere, which took me to the emergency room last Tuesday, where they did a CT scan. On the CT Scan they found no pericardial effusion, but they did find bibasilar subsegmental atelectasis. This apparently is partial collapse of lungs, which appears to match my symptoms exactly. However, despite this diagnosis, my doctor does not think the atelectasis has anything to do with my breathing problems or chest pain. He hasn't even ordered a pulmonary referral to check. I have since gone to another doctor who did think I should see a pulmonary specialist, so I found one who will take me next week. I'll probably have to go to another ER soon as well. Has anyone gone through a CT scan where they found this atelectasis?
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Good morning @helena4000. I have not had your experience however I know all about shortness of breath that accompanies lung cancer. I re-broke a rib as a result of lung cancer surgery and when the rib hit my chest wall the pain was incredible. Before my Xray the doctor thought that my lung might have collapsed. When this started it must have scared you very much, to say the least. I am so happy when patients stand up to their doctors for good healthcare. I applaud you for this. Here are two sites that you might find helpful, if you haven't already. Good luck!
https://www.healthline.com/health/bibasilar-atelectasis, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atelectasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369684
@helena4000 I have atelectasis in both my lower lobes. There are a number of causes and of course severity. In my case I wouldn’t even know I had it if it wasn’t for the cat scan picking it up. I don’t have any pain form it. A pneumothorax is painful, atelectasis isn’t, at least not for me. They aren’t doing anything about it but that is my situation. Seeing a pulmonologist is an excellent idea. Something is going on that needs to be identified.
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2 ReactionsDo you have any feeling like you can't take a deep breath in? Or any shortness of breath? Chest pain?
Thank you Merry....it's so easy for everything to go haywire so quickly
@helena4000
I have never had chest pain. I am early stage 4 emphysema so yes I feel short of breath but that is the emphysema. I was having problems breathing long before the atelectasis appeared in the scan. Don’t panic, if you had emphysema it would of shown up in your ct scan.
The pulmonologist should be able to figure out why you are having pain and difficulties breathing. I know waiting is hard.
Thank you, it is....I keep having these rapid breathing attacks. I find it astonishing that my primary care doctor didn't even order a pulmonary specialist to evaluate me yet. I had to get that through another doctor. I really ran into a lemon with my doctor.
@helena4000 It can happen with PCPs not recommending specialist. I"m just glad that you got a pulmonologist through another doctor. Gosh, it makes sense to have one with your issues. Glad you are under the care fo a specialist.
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1 ReactionThank you...it is beyond frustrating. The ironic part is that I research physician training and patient quality of care for a living. They are always saying to make the patient voice heard and all that stuff, and all I run into is doctors who don't seem to be listening to me.
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2 ReactionsDOn't be hard on yourself. It simply happens. I"m just glad you have it sorted out and cn get some proper help now. Wishing you the best.
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1 ReactionSo I have been in the hospital since Sunday morning. I went to emergency because I had three rapid breathing attacks in one night. They have done an ekg, chest x-rays, cardiac MRI, respiratory panel, pulmonary function tests. Yesterday the cardiologist put in an order for a pulmonary person to come talk to me (after over a month of me saying I can't breathe well someone finally said I should talk to pulmonary for breathing problems!), and respiratory started doing breathing treatments of Albuterol which seemed to help me a lot in the short term. Unfortunately, they don't last but I feel better after they do them. The cardiac MRI found pleural effusion, and said pleurisy may be causing sharp right-sided chest pain....the pulmonary function test made it pretty evident that intense breathing is causing sharp pain that goes through to my back. I don't have any definitive answers yet and have broke down crying in front of the doctors on a couple occasions.
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