Hi Marz.

Welcome to the forum.

I am not a doctor, but I've been hanging around here for nearly 10 years so I've learned a few things. 

Please try not to diagnose yourself using Dr Google.  It invariably leads you to the worse case scenario, and often to mis-information. I'm not sure where you heard that X-rays are not much use for diagnosis, because it's completely untrue.  A chest X-Ray is one of the most commonly used diagnostic tools. Pancoast tumours do show up on X-Rays so someone has been telling you nonsense, which is par for the course when using Google. 

You've had two recent clear chest X-rays and a clear U/S so the chance that you've suddenly developed a tumour is very slim. More than likely you've caught a chest infection - there are definitely a lot of them going round my region, and I know several people who are on antibiotics for them right now. 

So, I suggest you sit down, take a deep breath, and calm yourself. And stop using Google. 

Explain your symptoms and history to the locum, and listen to what the locum says.  Right now, there is absolutely no reason to panic. 

I’m in a similar situation. 7 weeks of a honking cough, 3 weeks of which have been with pain between the shoulder blades. Chest X-ray clear in April (for shortness of breath) but one at beginning of this month showed scarring in lower left lung and 3 different antibiotics have had no effect whatsoever. I have post nasal drip, a hiatus hernia and bronchiectasis, so there are seemingly obvious causes, but the specialist has referred me for a CT to discount any nasties like mesothelioma or IPF.

You're never totally at ease until you have confirmed answers, but I guess it’s a case of trying to crack on with life until the ‘big chat’ with the specialist once results are available.

Marz, I suspect it’s not serious and you’ll be OK, and if you’re concerned, a CT scan for peace of mind is the likely next step (like in my case). I think a PET CT is only done when checking for the extent of (previously confirmed) cancer spreading - but I am no doctor either, and base this only on my past Internet browsing. 

Hi there Marz, stop torturing yourself. Google is dangerous. My wife had an xray in January and it showed a shadow. They sent her for a CT scan and that was confirmed as Cancer after 3 biopsies and the PET scan is only to show if it has gone to other organs. Going Private will cost thousands, but it is your choice, but having gone through a diagnosis of Small Cell Lung Cancer with my wife i think you are reading too much into nothing. Xrays show most things so if there was Cancer or Shadows they would have had you back.

Stop Fretting

Thank you Telemando. I did need to be told to stop googling. I didn't search at all yesterday and I had a nice day with a family barbeque  for my sons 18th Birthday. 

Just seen a GP and my records say the last checst Xray I had was 18 months ago and he sent me immediately to the local walk in X-Ray unit. Should have results back in 2 days. 

Thank you for replying. I will get X-ray results back in a couple of days. 

I haven't got any spare money so a private scan would involve borrowing funds.

I think Google research has made me paranoid and I have jumped to thinking of the worst case senario, without and direct evidence.

Hi Billythedog,

I wish your wife all the very best with her battle and hope the treatment kicks it’s ***.

Had she been having symptoms very long or was it found relatively early?

All the best,

Dave

Dave Hi there. My wife had a terrible cough in July 2018 and GP dismissed it as COPD. New years day the cough was back. GP's again this time he was drunk and said lungs were clear but have some antibiotics. 2 days later she was coughing up blood! A&E done an xray and found a shadow that needed ckecking. 6 weeks down the line it was confirmed as Small Cell Lung Cancer (advanced to the heart and nodes around the lung) She is on Palliative Chemo as her life is limited. Upto 12 months. The chemo is hell. No quality of life . Just HELL!

Thanks for enquiring

God Bless

Billythedog

Hi Dave, Thanks for the comments and concern. Sadly her cancer is already advanced and its not lookin too clever. The chemo is tough, Etopiside and Carboplatin both every 3 weeks. The tumor has spread to the nodes and attached to the heart. She has had 6 cycles and is due another scan, but we have already been told its just Palliative Chemo and they are just extending her life.

The GP was reported to the G.M.C who sent the complaint to a Doctor in London who said he had done everything right. Wheels within wheels. I just wish I could me him in a dark alley.

Thanks again

J