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Original poster

Chest X Ray- this can only be bad news, can't it?

48 replies

neverbeenskiing · 20/09/2022 20:05

My DF is 67. He has never smoked, is very active, still goes to the gym and plays golf regularly. He has never been seriously unwell.

He went to the GP because he has had a cough for a few weeks, although it has improved (it was waking him up in the night and now it isn't) it hasn't gone away completely. The GP said it was "probably viral" but they would send him for an X Ray to be safe. He had his chest X Ray on Friday and received call this morning from the GP surgery saying he needs to go in tomorrow to talk to the Doctor. They didn't say anything else.

Am I right in thinking this can only be bad news? Surely if everything was fine they would just tell him that over the phone? I am trying not to panic but my mind is running away with me.

OP posts:
MomwasCasual · 20/09/2022 23:10

Chest X Ray- this can only be bad news, can't it?

Im not gonna lie, they're probably not calling him up just to let him know he has the finest specimens of lungs they've ever seen, or something like that Grin

But please don't assume it is automatically something sinister- it could be shadowing showing a pneumonia, or from a previous infection now long gone.

Everything crossed for your dad Flowers

Amybelle88 · 20/09/2022 23:12

Hugasauras · 20/09/2022 22:22

I wouldn't have thought GP would be giving news of cancer? Wouldn't it be a consultant at the hospital so they could then discuss treatment,etc?

If it's been referred back to GP then I would think it more likely it showed either nothing or something in a GP's remit.

This.

Cancer wouldn't go back to the GP, it would be immediate referral to a specialist in the suspected cancer area, with a form filled out due to 'suspected cancer of...'

Would also be referred for a scan.

(I've had pancreatic cancer 5 years ago - was completely out of the GPs remit)

BlodynGwyn · 20/09/2022 23:14

I started having a dry cough, mostly at night. It got much worse until it was really interfering with my sleep. It was a side effect of Lisinopril, a BP med. I quit taking it and got better within a very short while. Figured it out on my own as well.

Thisbastardcomputer · 20/09/2022 23:19

I had this and as a smoker I expected the worst. I'd actually got pneumonia, which took about 6 weeks to clear up but 18 months until I got back to normal.

I did eventually stop smoking but not for 25 years.

Lentil63 · 20/09/2022 23:20

These type of directions from GP’s are really concerning. Often they turn out to not be something to worry about. I hope it’s not in the end a concern for your dad. Let us know how it goes.

noideabutstilltrying · 20/09/2022 23:27

My husband had an x ray on his chest after being poorly for a while and it was a chest infection

Father in law has been in the same position a couple of times and it was a bout of pneumonia.

Musicaltheatremum · 21/09/2022 00:35

Amybelle88 · 20/09/2022 23:12

This.

Cancer wouldn't go back to the GP, it would be immediate referral to a specialist in the suspected cancer area, with a form filled out due to 'suspected cancer of...'

Would also be referred for a scan.

(I've had pancreatic cancer 5 years ago - was completely out of the GPs remit)

Show quote history

If our radiology department picks up possible cancer they organise the scan and outpatient appointment but we (GP) have to let the patient know they are getting the scan so need to raise the possibility of cancer with them.
But lots of times the x-ray says possible infection treat and re x-ray in 4-6 weeks. I never call patients in for that it's a waste of appointment I just ask my reception staff to tell them that it's an infection and send the prescription to the chemist and get them to book their xray in 4-6 weeks. I then set a reminder to check the repeat x-ray.

Original poster
neverbeenskiing · 21/09/2022 06:19

If our radiology department picks up possible cancer they organise the scan and outpatient appointment but we (GP) have to let the patient know they are getting the scan so need to raise the possibility of cancer with them.

This was my first thought when I heard they'd called him in.

OP posts:
Museya15 · 21/09/2022 10:18

Let us know how your daddy is. Thinking of you.x

VariationsonaTheme · 21/09/2022 10:23

But lots of times the x-ray says possible infection treat and re x-ray in 4-6 weeks. I never call patients in for that it's a waste of appointment I just ask my reception staff to tell them that it's an infection and send the prescription to the chemist and get them to book their xray in 4-6 weeks. I then set a reminder to check the repeat x-ray.

But other GPs do it differently. My parents’ GP phones and discusses the results of every test with them. It could quite easily just be an infection or something like pneumonia.

Musicaltheatremum · 21/09/2022 14:40

VariationsonaTheme · 21/09/2022 10:23

But lots of times the x-ray says possible infection treat and re x-ray in 4-6 weeks. I never call patients in for that it's a waste of appointment I just ask my reception staff to tell them that it's an infection and send the prescription to the chemist and get them to book their xray in 4-6 weeks. I then set a reminder to check the repeat x-ray.

But other GPs do it differently. My parents’ GP phones and discusses the results of every test with them. It could quite easily just be an infection or something like pneumonia.

Yes that's what I meant. I don't leave them hanging on wondering why they've been called in and worrying over a few days. It's one call whether me or receptionist depending on how much time I have spare to say "possible infection, antibiotics for you"

autumnisnear · 21/09/2022 15:34

@neverbeenskiing how are things

Original poster
neverbeenskiing · 21/09/2022 17:16

Thank you all for being so lovely. My Dad called and it turns out either he got his wires crossed or the GP receptionist wasn't very clear, either way they wanted to discuss the results of a blood test the GP had ordered, not the xray which won't be back for another week!

Blood results showed that his cholesterol is a bit high, not enough for them to be really concerned but they want to keep an eye on it. They said he doesn't need a statin or anything like that but they advised that he get a BP machine and check this regularly at home. His own DF had a heart bypass at 57 so they want to be safe rather than sorry. The GP still thinks the cough is almost certainly viral as it has improved loads and he isn't breathless or anything, he is still on the cross trainer and lifting weights at the gym with no problem.

It seems I worked myself up into a state over (almost) nothing. Thank you all so much though, it really did help reading all of your responses especially in the middle of the night when my thoughts were spiralling!

OP posts:
SquirrelSoShiny · 21/09/2022 17:19

Great news OP.

stayathomegardener · 21/09/2022 17:34

Great update!

Hempy · 21/09/2022 17:41

That's great news. I know how it is for your mind to cross all sorts of bridges with health anxiety. Looking at your user name, perhaps when he's better the two of you might go skiing. Carpe Diem and all that! 😁(Never been skiing myself!)

cptartapp · 21/09/2022 17:48

neverbeenskiing · 21/09/2022 17:16

Thank you all for being so lovely. My Dad called and it turns out either he got his wires crossed or the GP receptionist wasn't very clear, either way they wanted to discuss the results of a blood test the GP had ordered, not the xray which won't be back for another week!

Blood results showed that his cholesterol is a bit high, not enough for them to be really concerned but they want to keep an eye on it. They said he doesn't need a statin or anything like that but they advised that he get a BP machine and check this regularly at home. His own DF had a heart bypass at 57 so they want to be safe rather than sorry. The GP still thinks the cough is almost certainly viral as it has improved loads and he isn't breathless or anything, he is still on the cross trainer and lifting weights at the gym with no problem.

It seems I worked myself up into a state over (almost) nothing. Thank you all so much though, it really did help reading all of your responses especially in the middle of the night when my thoughts were spiralling!

Interesting you say he doesn't need a statin. I would be asking them what his Q risk is - his calculated risk of stroke or heart attack over the next ten years based on his medical stats, age etc. Done at the click of a button. With his significant family history and age I would be surprised if it's not more than 10% which is the guidance for a statin, regardless of cholesterol result.
Maybe one for the next appointment.

Lucy Long Socks · 21/09/2022 17:50

My partner had a chest xray and they had to tell him he had arthritis in his shoulder.

You must be desperately worried. I hope it's ok. Please update if you can.

Museya15 · 21/09/2022 18:17

Thank god for that!x

Original poster
neverbeenskiing · 21/09/2022 18:49

cptartapp · 21/09/2022 17:48

Interesting you say he doesn't need a statin. I would be asking them what his Q risk is - his calculated risk of stroke or heart attack over the next ten years based on his medical stats, age etc. Done at the click of a button. With his significant family history and age I would be surprised if it's not more than 10% which is the guidance for a statin, regardless of cholesterol result.
Maybe one for the next appointment.

Show quote history

That is really helpful, thank you. His DF had a very sedentary lifestyle, was a smoker and drank heavily so perhaps they feel the family history is not necessarily that significant? I will definitely tell him to ask about his Q risk at the next appointment though and push for a statin if it's 10% or higher though.

OP posts:
Furrydog7 · 22/09/2022 18:27

That's great news. My mum had a chest x ray in June and it turned out that she had fractured a rib due to coughing.

Scribbless99 · 26/09/2022 13:49

So I’m 31 and have smoked since I was in my late teens, and gave up for 2.5 years when Covid hit, but due to worsening anxiety have started again the last 4 months.

So here a little on what’s going on, so for years when I wake up in the morning and take a deep breath i feel like I can’t and it hurts, finally saw dr in 2019 and had ecg, chest x ray and asthma tests, all came back fine.
Fast forward to July this year, I had a cold and when we had the really hot weather we bought an air con unit and I started waking in the middle of the night with a tight chest and chalked in up to the dry air from air on and weather.
Few weeks went by and this seems to have subsided, but was left with a phlegmy clear cough, nothing major almost more having to just clear your throat phlegm but constantly, I do suffer with shoulder and back pain and have done for some time, but that plays on my mind also and now I think I have caught my daughters cold, and my chest is burning and now I’m worried that if I do have cancer that is going to make it so much more worrying, I know I need to go and see a doctor for chest x ray ect, but I’m just so scared, I have spent the last few ours reading lung cancer support forums trying to prepare myself for when they tell me I have it 😱😱

justasking111 · 26/09/2022 15:21

Try googling acid reflux and GERD that's far more likely than cancer @Scribbless99

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