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I am new to pleural effusions and pleural effusion drainage. It turns out that I did not require the drainage because the fluid decreased significantly, making it unnecessary for the drainage. But I would like to tell you about my experience for preparation for the drainage procedure at PMH.

There were no pre-procedure instructions (could eat normally) and there were no post-procedure instructions or restrictions (could drive immediately following the procedure).

I arrived at the urgent care unit for the pleural effusion drainage and they asked me to go upstairs for an xray prior to the procedure because the CT scan showing the pleural effusion was over a month ago. I checked in at xray and waited maybe 5 minutes to be called in for the xray. Xrays did not take long and I went back down to the urgent care unit.

When you check in for the drainage, they assign you to a bed/room. The procedure is carried out while you are sitting up on the bed. They bring a portable ultrasound machine into the room. First they check the pleural effusion and determine the best route to access the fluid. The ultrasound is used to guide the needle to the fluid during the procedure (much like a biopsy).

For me, they used the ultrasound to confirm the findings of the xray = reduced fluid.

That is all I have because I have not had the procedure. If/when that actually happens, you can be sure I will share my experience. 😀

Thank you @GloHo for starting this thread under a new title and I am hoping other ladies will contribute their own experiences here. It would be a wealth of information to have in one spot when they do write about it.

I am thankful that you did not require a drainage as that is positive news for yourself. Thanks again for sharing!

Thank you for this information, I was wondering about this. My last PET scan showed "moderate to large amount of ascites" in my abdomen, and my oncologist told me that when my symptoms are really bothersome, I need to call them and get the fluid drained.

I am measuring my girth every day, and monitoring my symptoms, so I am curious about how symptomatic other people were before getting a drainage?

@Sylviequebecbc

I’m glad you found the information useful. I ended up not having the pleural effusion done so I couldn’t provide details on the actual procedure. I have also had some notes about ascites but it has never gotten to the point of discussing drainage.

There is a difference between pleural effusion and ascites but I know there are drainage procedures for both.

Pleural effusion = fluid around lungs Drainage = Thoracentesis

Ascites = fluid in abdomen
Drainage = Paracentesis

I would also be interested in hearing more about symptoms and whether or not there is anything (diet, exercise, meds, etc.) you can do to keep it stable.

@Sylviequebecbc I had ascites when I was diagnosed. They drained 4 litres out of my abdomen and I felt instant relief. For me, the ascites was not painful but extremely uncomfortable. My abdomen was round and hard and I looked about 6 months pregnant. I could not eat more than a few bites without feeling full. I felt a heaviness when up walking around and had a hard time sleeping due to not being able to get confortable

Thanks @GloHo and @melissa for the information!

So @melissa , you were feeling great right after the paracentesis? I am asking because I am thinking of flying to Québec to visit my family in November, and I was wondering how I would be feeling if I need this before I go.

I appreciate you guys so much for sharing your experiences, helps a lot ❤️

@Sylviequebecbc I had paracentesis done 3 times before my surgery and immediately after the procedure each time I felt instant relief. I was able to eat as much as I wanted and did not have the heavy feeling. The fluid does re accumulate quickly, or at least it can do I would try and plan my trip close to the day you have the procedure

@melissa thank you for your reply! I will keep that in mind 🥰

Well, here I am. Went for my regular blood/clinic visit with the addition of coughing and breathing issues. Dr sent me for an X-ray and found a pleural effusion. She booked me into urgent care immediately to get a Thoracentesis. The prep is as I described it above…here's the rest of the procedure.

Sitting on the side of the bed with a table to rest your arms and head on, the Dr uses an ultrasound to find the best entry point for the drainage…"X" marks the spot.

Then two freezing needles are used to freeze the path for the drainage needle. I felt the first needle prick with some burning sensation but that was over quickly.

The drainage needle is inserted and drainage begins. The process takes about 15 minutes. They drain until you start coughing and/or feel some pain. They stop the drainage immediately. I had two 600ml bottles of fluid removed. There is still some fluid remaining in my lung.

Urgent care sent me for another X-ray to make sure my lung was expanding and there were no other issues visible. I got the all clear and returned to my Dr appointment.

The other concern being pondered was whether or not there might be a blood clot. I was feeling much better after the drainage and my oxygen levels had improved. They could not get me into CT immediately (best test to spot blood clots) and I had a CT appointment already booked for two days later so the decision was made (mutually agreeable) to let me go with much emphasis on when to call 911 should anything come up at home.

Pleural effusions can return. There is no telling how quickly the lung may fill again so the nurse pre-booked another Thoracentesis appointment for my visit next week. The CT should provide an indication of what is going on after the drainage. I am, of course, hoping that I do not need that appointment next week!!🤞

 I do feel better with the breathing and it even helped with my tired, heavy, achy legs!!

The day after, I still feel tenderness in the lung when I take a deep breath and I have to be careful not to do anything too strenuous for a couple of days. 

I have read some alarming stats on pleural effusions and mortality rates (Dr Google, tsk tsk). Yikes!! Since this is all new to me, I am going to have to have a more in-depth discussion with my Dr next week after we see the CT and to see what this really means for me. 

I forgot to mention…

As part of the BIODIVA study, they asked that any fluids being drained be submitted to them for research. This was an unexpected appointment but as I was sitting waiting for the procedure, I remembered this and mentioned it to the nurse attending to me. She went off and made contact with my care team who then contacted the BIODIVA team to let them know that my fluid would be available if they wanted it. BIODIVA came down and collected all drained fluid!!

#BIODIVA

Hey @GloHo
How are you doing
Did you have any more fluid build up.
The dry cough and shortness of breath of breath sling with lower abdominal discomfort were y symptoms before I was diagnosed .
I went into local ER with a letter from my family doctor asking that they do CT scan
Of course tgey didn’t start either Ct
They did chest X-ray first and found the fluid build up in my right lung. So they drained it exactly bad you described,,,, I wish I had known what to expect at the time I was so scared…. Didn’t know what to expect
They drained 3 litres from my right lung
Ultra sounds showed mass in left ovary and so finally they agreed a CT scsn was necessary .
They confirmed low grade Stage 4 Serous .
After my surgery. I did not have any more fluid build up and chest X-ray andCT scans have been clear for 1 year now
Waiting on my follow up this coming Wednesday with my oncologist 🙏🩵

Sent from my iPad

@asatino

Fingers crossed for positive results at your follow up.🤞

I did not find the thoracentesis too bad. A bit painful at the end but the Dr stopped draining as soon as I started coughing and felt some pain. They drained 1.4L but there was still some fluid remaining in the lungs following the procedure. 

Like you, I did not know exactly what to expect but I asked the Dr to talk through every step as he was going through the procedure. This allowed me to ask questions and knowing what to expect really reduced my stress level.

I found it interesting that in addition to improved breathing, the procedure helped clear up my tired, heavy, achy legs. The Dr said my legs were probably feeling this way due to the fact that my heart and lungs were working overtime dealing with the pleural effusion and that there was less oxygen available.

It has been four days and I do feel like the fluid is building up again. Since I am not going to travel 3 hours to Toronto to get the procedure done each time, I am in the process of trying to find the best way to deal with it either at my local hospital and/or cancer centre. 

For me, after 6 1/2 years, this is a definite sign of progression and I am going to be changing my treatment plan to try to manage both my cancer and the pleural effusion build up. 

@GloHo I'm not gonna lie. When you said you didn't find the thoracentesis too bad I laughed. You are amazing! I appreciate all the information you are sharing including additional positive impacts the procedure had on your legs. This will certainly help others understand residual impacts of procedures. I am sorry however you are feeling fluid again. There are such good regional cancer supports I hope you will find one. If anyone can it's you!! Please as you feel up to it, keep us posted. Sending strength vibes to you from Quebec City. 

@asatino so glad scans have been clear for a year and no additional drainage has been needed. I hope your upcoming oncologist appointment yields nothing but positive news. Please keep us posted. 

I am currently at 4 drains now!!

I had one at PMH (1.4L), one in London (.95L), one in my hospital emergency (1.2L) and another in London (1.2L) when they inserted the Pleur-X catheter.

I decided to have a catheter inserted because I am finding that I need a drain every 3-4 days. This will save on my travel to/from London and/or emergency visits and should help with my overall quality of life. 

The procedure to insert the catheter is the same as for drainage except they leave the draining tube in. I had the procedure on Tuesday and am starting to feel less discomfort from the procedure.

The hospital connects you with a home health care organization. In my area there is Care Partners and VON. These organizations have clinics you can visit or they can book a nurse to do a home visit. I am going to go into their clinic for the drain on Friday. 

I was trying to hold off on getting the catheter but found the symptoms too debilitating to wait and then have to drag myself to an appointment or emergency. I am also hoping that treatment will control/lessen the pleural effusion thus requiring less drains. Everything happened all at once and were overlapping…it was crazy having to deal with a new treatment and the pleural effusion which is new to me as well.

I just had a phone call from Ontario Home Health. They coordinate your health needs (ie, via home care organizations in your area). Someone will be coming to see me to do an in-home assessment to determine if I have everything I need. Amazing how seamless this process is. 

@GloHo sorry to hear about all the drainage, but you should definitely feel better having the drain kept in and being able to drain regularly as long as it's working properly.  It is so much easier then having to go each time to get it drained.  Glad to hear things with home health are going smoothly.  Hope you are feeling better and breathing better.🩵🙏🏻

Hi @GloHo thank you for the update. I'm glad you are getting the care you need and that Ontario Home Health process is working. You sometimes wonder as you hear horror stories however it is satisfying to know the system is working!!

I hope as you say, that your treatment will begin to lessen the effusions. I'm sending you hugs from afar. Stay strong my warrior friend.

#Supportandencouragement #Treatmentandsideeffects

@GloHo well first I'd like to say I'm glad you didn't have to go through the procedure. I'm also hoping you are feeling okay.

Second, thank you for sharing your preparation process. It's so helpful as it demystifies things. When we are going through something new, our brains can create scenarios that may create more anxiety. Your sharing will I'm sure be helpful to others who may have to go through this procedure in the future. I do know there are a few people who have experienced the drainage and have mentioned it on the site. If they are comfortable sharing and adding to this conversation, again to help educate others, please feel free to share. The more we know, right?!

#Treatmentandsideeffects

@Alwayslearning

I guess my post was a little confusing 😁. I did end up having the procedure yesterday. I'm hoping I don't need another one next week!! 

@GloHo it appears I read your note too quickly and didn't see the rest of the discussion chain. My sincere apologies. I am glad you are feeling better. It definitely doesn't not sound like a fun procedure (but I guess none of them are) however it sounds like they do these often and are pros. I don't know how you keep everything in your mind...I never would have thought about the study. Good on you!

Thank you for sharing and also to others who are sharing their experiences in this area. I hope @GloHo that this was a one and one experience for you. 🤞