I think lasix is used more if the fluid is because your body is retaining it generally. I had to be readmitted a couple of months on with pleural effusions , mainly because my lungs didn't fully re-expand ( not enough walking and breathing exercises!) and I also had a late lung infection which was difficult to shift and needed lots of antibiotics. The first time I had a drain inserted for several days. It got rid of a lot of the fluid, but there was still some left when it was removed. Unfortunately I didn't manage to clear the rest naturally, and had to have a diagnostic thoracentesis.
I have to say my experience of the drain and its insertion was very painful, so much so that I dreaded the thoracentesis needle, but it was nothing like as bad. Even with the lidocaine it hurt though ( the pleura are very sensitive) and I really recommend getting plenty of painrelief lined up, and indeed having some preparatory morphine first. You may find sedation is available, since it seems in the USA they use sedation a lot more for things like TEE and colonoscopy. I must admit if I needed a drain again I would beg for sedation!