Lung X-ray

[LE]

Hi

I’ve not posted in such a long time due to me having health anxiety mainly under control.

However I have a repeat X-ray coming up next week to check clear and I am feeling anxious.

5 weeks ago I was diagnosed with pneumonia after what appeared to be flu. I happened to read somewhere that sometime a person gets pneumonia because cancer of the lungs is already present.

8 years ago now I had a chest X-ray during my health anxiety freak outs of needing reassurance and typically as with tests and reassurance seeking it showed up a tiny hazy bit. Anyway it was never taken any further and I have since had at least 4 chest X-rays over the years and ‘no change’ to the X-rays.

As far as I’m aware it still hasn’t changed and i was just unlucky to get pneumonia. Although I had a couple of doctors saying I had got such a nasty infection and they wondered why someone as young and healthy as me would get it. So much so they did an hiv test and other tests to check for underlying conditions all of which were clear. I was certain the hiv test would have been clear given I was tested in all 3 pregnancies as routine and my last one was not long ago.

So anyway the anxiety is starting to rear it’s ugly head of ‘what if’ or even if it’s nothing ‘what if’ they want to do all this testing to investigate further. ‘What if it is lung ca’. I can feel myself getting anxious as I’m worrying miles are cancer, just generally cancer.

I’m not where I used to be as I would have been hysterical, not eating and in a state but I can just feel myself starting worry about this.

I’m 37, never smoked but the anxiety is telling me ‘what does that matter’...

Any word of advice would truly be appreciated. Thanks

[NervUs]

I think you should just focus on your progress. The anxiety is not disrupting your life, and that is great! I don't think it's easy for many people to get a follow up test. The whole precept is that they want to make sure the problem cleared, so that means the problem might not have in your mind. Pneumonia is much more likely than lung cancer.

I have been there many times myself. I was having a lot of problems with my lungs about a year and a half ago. I had back pain one day with every deep breath, that did clear, but I just so happened to have a docs appt and mentioned it. They took my blood and suspected I had a blood clot. I had to be scanned; they actually called me at work and told me come now. I was absolutely sure they were going to tell me lung cancer. Clots can show up b/c of the cancer, and I read that of course. Turned out, I didn't even have a clot! I know it is so hard not to, but prejudging the answer without any evidence leads to pain IMO. It is hard to turn it off though, so that you are functional at the same time that you wait, that is progress and okay! It's when we stop functioning, or it interferes with relationships, or is never ending, that's when it's a problem. You have an end date to this!

[Lucky802]

Hi, I was in similar situation a couple of months ago. I thought I had just a bad cold but turned out it was pneumonia with findings on X-ray. Had to have a repeat one after 5 weeks. Was on edge all this time thinking all sorts. X-ray came back clear. You mentioned you just had a baby so I believe that's the reason you got bad infection because your body gets run down when looking after young children.

[tommydorns]

I went to the ER, thought I pulled a muscle Ended up being Pnemonia with mediastinal lymph nodes swollen and one upper abdominal swollen with a CT with contrast. They were concerned and sent me for a follow up. Different diagnosis is Lymphoma, Lupus, Sarcoid or it could be from the Pnemonia.The lung specialist seems to be confident it being imflammation from pnemonia. This unfortunately has kick-started my HA because I have had 2 swollen nodes in my right groin for at least 5 years the size of kidney beans but they haven't increased in size. I have a repeat CT scan with contrast on the 24th and a follow up on the 25th. The waiting is killing me. I am only 32 and I used to smoke 5 years ago for nine years. I did get better after taking antibiotics, but now I am worrying about lung cancer because I used to smoke and the fact that I got pnemonia at a young age. Lymphoma because I have these groin nodes and the nodes in my chest. I also have lost a lot of weight with adipex and dieting heavily and only drinking water which slso has me thinking. Anyway, I feel your pain and if it turns out to be nothing I'm getting the nodes my groin looked at

[LE]

Thanks

Nervus thanks - you are right I do need to focus on how well I have been and the progress. For me having health anxiety I will alway have the ‘what if’ bit in my head that constantly questions, however it’s how I respond to this that makes the difference and because my ha is under control then it doesn’t affect my day to day. I definitely had pneumonia as I was very unwell with fevers and a cough. It was more hat I wondered if lung ca could have caused it.

Lucky thanks too. I had actually read your posts about your experience as had done a search and was glad to hear it all turned out well for you and has given me hope too.

Tommy sorry your are going through similar stress. I hope it turns out ok and it is the pneumonia causing the nodes. It does make sense because you have had an infection. Also the weight loss you have said is likely to be from extreme dieting. However I understand it’s easy someone else saying this when your own brain is worrying. When you say kick started your ha, is it new for you or do you mean this has caused ha to raise its head like myself?

[LE]

Update - had repeat chest X-ray yesterday. No results at time. Was advised that I would either receive a call or a letter.

[Lucky802]

Good luck! I haven't heard about mine for 10 days after having it done. Kept calling the surgery but it just appeared on my nhs online account.

[tommydorns]

I had my repeat CT scan one week early because I couldn't help it any longer. My pnemonia and lymph nodes we're still there however it stated there was improvement in the pnemonia and the lymph nodes shrank at a least mm. One shrank 5mm. The Dr isn't going to follow up with it any further. Follow up in three months unless I have symptoms. I'm not convinced and saw in the report where another CT was recommended in the near future but not necessary by the pulmonologist. I'm going to press for another one in three months. Its just odd that it hasn't entirely cleared up in 5 weeks although improved and the fact my nodes we're swollen in my chest to begin with. Never heard anybody ever mention that with their pnemonia.

[Lucky802]

Hi, shame it didn't clear so that you had peace of mind. But the fact the doctors are not worried is re-assuring plus there's some improvement anyway. Can't comment on lymph nodes as don't know much about it but it seems logical they swell up with infection.