Originally Posted by
cskafan123
Gals and Guys,
I had spontaneous minor lung collapse that made me check into ER and I am staying here for the next 3 days.
I know there will be a long road ahead of me to regain my medical, but if someone has had a similar experience I would greatly appreciate any tips. I need to talk to a pulmonologist who is familiar with the FAA protocol. The question is whether I must undergo a surgery in order to get back my medical or there are ways to do that without going under the knife.
If someone can recommend a good pulmonologist or AME doc that can assist me in getting back my medical I will greatly appreciate it.
Thanks much in advance.
Stay healthy.
Requires FAA sign-off but usually no big deal unless subsequent x-rays show you have other blebs (little dilated air sacs) that are at risk for popping and causing recurrence.:
Even then not a huge deal, although they generally will inject a chemical into the space between the lung and the inner chest wall to cause adhesions so any future collapse will be small and self limiting. Spontaneous pneumothorax isn’t terribly uncommon and the outcome is usually reasonably benign, although not something you would want to happen during a cabin depressurization.