Waiting for Chest CT scan - Lung cancer ?

Hi - I am new to the forum and driving myself mad with worry. I ended up in A&E at the beginning of May due to a pain in my back and very high blood pressure. Sent home as all appeared fine but had a chest xray whilst there. GP called me 6 weeks later to say they had seen an opacity in the upper left area and wanted another Xray. I was not worried so went for another xray - the opacity was still there and radiographer mentioned ongoing changes. GP has scheduled a CT scan for 5th August but said she wasnt worried and it had not been requested urgently as they did not think it was cancer but they had to rule it out - she said the opacity must have been tiny as they hadnt even sized it ?? However, I am getting quite a few symptoms now - I have had a painful hip for months now which has gone into my mid-back area - more of a nagging ache than a pain and my shoulders are now aching and my neck area. I started with a sore throat around 3 weeks ago now which has developed into a cough - its like a tickle in the bottom of my throat. I am mostly spitting up white mucus but on 2 occasions this has included a tiny amount of brownish blood in it. My cough is worse on a morning and seems to settle a bit during the day but I have a vague pressure feeling in my chest. I have never smoked but do suffer with sinus problems and post nasal drip all of the time. I am googling everything to do with Lung Cancer and cannot stop thinking the worst. I suppose my question is whether anyone else has had these symptoms and is it right that an opacity would be very small on a chest xray for them not to size it ?? Any words of advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

  • Hi Ellewebs,

    I can relate to a lot of your symptoms. I have scarring in my left lung’s lower lobe (according to the X-ray) and I will be having a CT scan on Friday evening to take a detailed look at what’s going on in there.

    I have bronchiectasis (which is mild normally), a hiatal hernia and post nasal drip (I’m a mucus producing machine these days!). All of those could explain my chronic cough, crackles when inhaling, constant throat clearing and neck / back pain I guess. I just want the ‘big three’ discounted by the CT scan, namely Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma and IPF. Fingers firmly crossed for us both.

    My cough began mid-June and I don’t usually get chronic chest infections. All we can both do is seek solace in the fact that our issues are being investigated and the x-rays haven’t shown anything large.

    My understanding is that bronchiectasis, pneumonia, acute infections and bronchitis can all cause blood in your sputum, so you may just have one of these conditions. 

  • Thank you for replying. It's the waiting that is so difficult isn't it ? Please keep me posted as to how you get on with your CT scan and I will post an update after Monday. Want my CT but dont want it at the same time !! Fingers crossed for both of us. :-) 

  • CT Scan now done and so the waiting game begins. They said I'll be contacted in 7-10 days. Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious!

  • Fingers crossed for you - mine is on Monday. Keep me posted on how you get on :D

  • Practice holding your breath for 6-7 seconds and doing it consistently so that your lungs are always inflated the same amount. That’s what they ask you to do on about 6 occasions during the scan (if my experience today is typical).

    I am uneasy about the radiation dose I’ve taken, but needs must I suppose.

    Good luck for Monday

  • Thanks for the tip - will practice before Monday ! :)

  • Hiya - CT Scan all done now. Cant belive how quick it was ! Thought I would have a contrast dye but didn't for some reason. Anyhow just an anxiious wait for the results now. Hope your results are ok. Cheers. Ellen

  • Hi,

    They explained to me that the dye isn’t used for chest scans - possibly because the lungs don’t have the same concentration of blood vessels as other organs, I dunno.

    Yes, only about 8 minutes and I was freed from the ring doughnut!

    With every day that passes my worry goes down a notch (on the basis that I naively think urgent appointments would be given priority). But it’s a simple case of facing whatever unfolds.

    Got my fingers crossed for us both.

    Dave

  • Hi Ellen,

    I hope your CT scan results are back and it’s good news.

    Received a brief letter today which stated that my CT result echoes that seen previously on the x-ray, I.e. mild bronchiectasis and basal atelectasis (probably resulting from recent respiratory infection). It also stated that blood test results weren’t yet complete but there were signs so far of Haemophilus influenzae, a type of bacteria that can cause many different kinds of infections including pneumonia. It recommends I have a vaccination.

    I also received a text pointing me to a referral letter on the NHS on-line portal which stated that I have an appointment with a chronic cough specialist on 28th January 2020 (!)

    Although I am obviously relieved that the CT scan seemingly hasn’t shown anything immediately life threatening such that a swift follow-up is not required, I am not going to suffer these symptoms all the way to January before I get a chance to address the problems, no way. Sorry if that sounds impatient!

    So, tomorrow I will be calling the telephone number to try to bring the appointment forward.

    Come what may, I wish us both every success in getting our health back.

    Dave

     

  • Hi Dave - so glad your results dont show anything sinister and fingers crossed u get the cough sorted. My CT results arent back yet so I'm still anxiously waiting with lots of dodgy symptoms ! Will let u know how I get on ! Ellen