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Original poster

if you had a chest x-ray and they said there was a "shadow"??

28 replies

aGalChangedHerName · 07/03/2008 17:59

Would you be worried?

My dad has had a hacking cough for months and had cough medicine and ab's. Saw a different doc on Monday who sent him for a chest x-ray and did blood tests and respiritory(sp) stuff on Wed. Was told Wed to make an appt with gp for x-ray results(very quick for results i think).

Has been told today they think there is a shadow and to go back Monday for another x-ray.

Anyone know if this could be serious or nothing to worry about?

OP posts:
Blandmum · 07/03/2008 18:05

It could be nothing to worry about, it could be an infection, it could be more serious.

Does he smoke?

Original poster
aGalChangedHerName · 07/03/2008 18:10

Hi MB,he was a very very heavy smoker for oh about 45/50 yrs and recently gave up.

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SlightlyMadSecretSoundWinner · 07/03/2008 18:12

I agree with MB.

I don't think the return to the GP is necessarily quick.

An X ray can be interpretted very quickly as can lung function stuff, and with many respiratory conditions the treatment should be started sooner rather than later (given that breathing is important). Contrast it with a knee XRay for a niggle for example - the patient could probably live another 2 weeks w/o treatment.

On that basis I would always expect a quick turnaround on a chest XRay - whether you always get a quick turnaround is of course a different matter,

Original poster
aGalChangedHerName · 07/03/2008 18:14

I know that he is worried but not saying anything as men sometimes do.

Oh well just have to wait and see what happens on Monday.

Thanks both of you

OP posts:
barking · 07/03/2008 18:26

Hi there - my dh had 3 chest x-rays 2 years ago, very scary at the time but it was a chest infection that went on for about 4 months. The doctor would keep upping the power of the antibiotics then check with x-rays a few weeks later to see if it cleared. Also advised to get plenty of rest which was impossible for my dh with 3 dc's and 2 jobs.
Is he tired/run down?
Do you live close?

barking · 07/03/2008 18:28

Sorry - should have said the 'shadows' were the infection

Original poster
aGalChangedHerName · 07/03/2008 18:29

I don't live far away but not close with my dad iyswim? My mum seems worried but she hasn't said he is tired or run down.

Don't know what to think tbh. I know it's probably nothing but hey for some people it turns out to be awful news doesn't it?

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VictorianSqualor · 07/03/2008 18:43

My stepdad had 'shadows' on a chest xray, turned out half of one of his lungs didn;t work or something, apparently he had had TB as a kid, I can't remember exactly what they said but he was fine, it was all old.

On the other hand my Dad had a terrible cough, went to the doctors and within about a week we knew he had lung cancer, he died 2 months later. I think his cancer was discovered quickly though after blood tests, not x-rays.

So IME it really could be something or nothing, I hope it all works out fine.

Original poster
aGalChangedHerName · 07/03/2008 19:15

Think it's the cough which is worrying him too. Thanks for that victorian,nothing i cna do atm is there? Just have to wait and see.

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NAB3wishesfor2008 · 07/03/2008 19:17

It is always awful to have to wait like this over a weekend. I rally hope it isn't anything serious.

Original poster
aGalChangedHerName · 07/03/2008 21:18

Thanks Nab3 My mum always says don't worry till you know there's something to worry about but you always do don't you?

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NAB3wishesfor2008 · 08/03/2008 08:51

Totally. I worry about everything.

yurt1 · 08/03/2008 09:00

My dad had a shadow. Had to wait an age for a scan (in fact ended up going private because of the wait- had to keep canceling consultant appointments because he couldn't do anything without the scan results - in the end he advised dad to go private for the scan if he could afford it ). Anyway initially they said it was old scarring from measles, but then they said it was pleural plaques (he used to work with asbestos). They have since ignored it totally (which I'm a bit about as pleural plaques can progress). He gets a lot of chest infections now though.

tribpot · 08/03/2008 09:04

I'm going through something similar with my step-dad. In his case (and I stress, in his case) it turned out the shadow on the x-ray was a mass in front of his heart. We're waiting on biopsy results.

Fingers crossed for you, the waiting and not knowing is horrendous, isn't it?

FloraPosteschild · 08/03/2008 09:11

My good friend had a shadow a while back - this was after chemo for OC - all very worrying but it was just a persistent chest infection.

Original poster
aGalChangedHerName · 08/03/2008 09:32

Really thinking now that if it was really worrying the docs they would have an x-ray done right away(hopeful emoticon)

Prob more worried as my DH just lost his lovely uncle to cancer. Getting uncertain test results is horrible at any time but worse right after a funeral

Thanks again all xx

OP posts:
vole3 · 08/03/2008 09:48

We often recall patients because we have seen a small round blob and we're not sure what it is.

It could be one or both of his nipples, infection, calcification following TB or other infection, benign fibrosis, asbestos exposure, inhaled foreigh body e.g. peanut, artefacts such as buttons, beads, chewing gum in pocket, large moles - the list is almost endless but would also include malignancy.

If it is thought to be nipple, they will place metal markers over them and re x-ray, if it is infection and he has had treatment they will look for change in the size of the blob.
Sometimes we never find out what it is as it has disappeared on the next image.

Original poster
aGalChangedHerName · 09/03/2008 10:28

Thanks Vole3. I am trying to just not worry before there is actually something to worry about iyswim?

From what you have said it could be loads of really little/non serious stuff. I am pretty sure it is connected with stopping smoking 3+ months ago. Maybe an infection or whatever,so thanks for the info

OP posts:
nailpolish · 09/03/2008 10:34

agalch is he going back to dr tomorrow?

Original poster
aGalChangedHerName · 09/03/2008 10:38

He has to go to the x-ray dept whenever he can and then take it from there. It's hard cos we don't get on but i feel crappy anyway

Are you going to the party thingy soon?

OP posts:
nailpolish · 09/03/2008 10:41

i dont get on wiht my dad either and i always feel guilty when he has health issues

i wouldnt be worrying to o much about it agalch - its probably fine

my brother has v kindly offered to watch dd2 while i take dd1 to the party. i was going to take both of them but you alwyas feel bad doing that when its only one of them who has been invited, ykwim?

so im just waiting for bro and then we are getting the 1130 bus. its at the commy pool

nailpolish · 09/03/2008 10:42

meant to say - hope everything is ok tomorrow. tell your dad to ask the radiographer what she thinks about the xray - she probably wont say but she might

Original poster
aGalChangedHerName · 09/03/2008 10:43

I know what you mean. I don't feel as bad about it as i want to/feel i should iykwim.

Don't know what we are up to. I slept in till 10am My DH has his good points lol

OP posts:
nailpolish · 09/03/2008 10:44

omg 10am! great!

i have decided not to read last nights threads. will probably be mortified!

Original poster
aGalChangedHerName · 09/03/2008 10:44

Yep will tell him to ask. When ds1 had health issues the radiographer told us what was wrong then and there cos it was a really obvious problem.

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