Truly scared - CT of chest tomorrow following abnormal x ray

[whenwillisleepagain]

Thought my asthma has been playing up since around Sept. GP tried various things - allergy, ABs for sinus. Sent me for chest x ray, which I wasn't too worried about at the time, as discussion had moved onto possible effects of early menopause on airways - New Year's Eve AM - by early afternoon on NYE I got a call from radiology admin asking me to come tomorrow evening for CT scan and had to stew for four days for explanation as GP surgery closed for Bank Hol. Spoke to GP last night who said there is some density near shoulder of R lung, hospital note says prob caused by scarring and not the scarring from pneumonia I had two years ago. My list of dreaded googling is topped by lung cancer closely followed by something called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. GP asked me if I was smoker - stopped 10/11 years ago. Am 48, DCs 5 and 9. How can I have scarring if I haven't had a chest infection for two years? And what are implications of density. I don't often post here but selfishly just wanted some hand holding. Haven't slept last two nights, chest has been feeling better for a few weeks, but instantly breathless after call from GP - which came around 9 last night as he rang after evening surgery. I can see all rationality is gone but equally can see no good possibility

[throckenholt]

I have no idea about the medical sign of things - but I would try to take comfort in the fact that your chest has been feeling better (apart from GP anxiety - a bit rough getting a call like that so late in the evening :(). Also that you are getting a quick follow up so not too long to wait and worry.

Hang in there - you will know what you are dealing with soon, and when you do know - then you will find a way to deal with whatever it is.

[NorthernLurker]

Try not to google OP. There are some fairly nasty things that will show up on chest x-rays but there are also plenty of more benign and highly treatable findings too. The correct course of action is being followed and you'll soon have some more information. Is the CT result going back to your GP or have they referred you to a chest physician? If it's your GP then I would be asking them to ring and speak to a radiologist the day after the scan. The final report might not be done but they can get indicative thoughts and then move on to the next step if needed.

[whenwillisleepagain]

Thanks both, much appreciated. northern the result are going back to GP and due there Tues but I was going to ring on Friday - I"ll see about calling the practice Thursday. And yes I am pleased that the course of action seems so fast and efficient

[NorthernLurker]

How did you get on?

[incogKNEEto]

Only just seen this, hope you got on ok today *.

[whenwillisleepagain]

thank you so much all, much appreciated - had the scan last night and am now waiting for results, and NOT googling. I am going to pursue results tomorrow, as the radiologist said that they would be reviewed last night - GP practice has a half day today, and I have been in meetings all day, but for good or ill, I want to get the results before the weekend.

[timelytess]

Hope the results are ok.

[NorthernLurker]

Results by the weekend seems a reasonable wish to me. Start early in the day so you're giving them plenty of time to get hold of people and persist politely.

[whenwillisleepagain]

Thank you - I did start early in the day, and the results were back and I saw the GP at 11. Consultant radiologist had written quite a long report, there are 3 areas of concern / interest (can't remember exact words) but they look inflammatory and 2 of the three are lymph nodes. Not cancer, but suggestive of very mild COPD - GP was upbeat about this - but the film from the scan has gone to lung consultant for discussion at multi-disciplinary team, and also the GPs will discuss at their clinical team meeting on Monday, so I feel I could not have a better response. May just be monitoring for time being. I am relieved it is this compared to scarier (to me) things. I had a couple of other risk factors in addition to the largely youthful and social smoking - so it's not a surprise. Obviously I'd rather not have this news, but I quite quickly noticed my asthma meds weren't working so well (and my asthma is normally well controlled) and then I think all the follow up from GPs has been so timely that from me noticing my inhalers seemed less effective, to reaching this point, has been 3 months. Thank you all again for your thoughts.

[NorthernLurker]

Hi Op - so pleased you got the results and pro-active discussions are taking place. Obviously ideally we'd want nothing to be up at all but you're right to take the view that the suggestion of a chronic disease which you've clearly caught early and which there is a lot of available input to help you manage, is, for want of a better word, a 'better' finding than lung cancer which is invariably very serious and immediate.
Well done you for recognising things had changed and getting action from your GP. All the best.