hi new member here have a question i'm hoping someone may be able to help me with. over a year ago I started having problems with chest pain and shortness of breath and after x rays and a scan I was told I had a pleural effusion. had a sample of fluid taken and tested but no clear diagnosis given for the cause. since then have had 2 more ct scans and a pet scan, which indicated lung thickening. now the idea of a biopsy has been suggested as my consultant is still at a loss to explain reasons for my symptoms. currently he believes it could be caused by an infection, asbestos exposure or cancer. although the latter cause seems very unlikely as in the year iv'e been seeing him, my general health has been ok. just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and if so would be able to shed a little more light on what may be causing my problem. thanks Mark.
lung question.: hi new member here have... - Lung Conditions C...
lung question.
Sorry mark I can't help or advise u on ur condition , but welcome to the forum and hopefully somebody can help or reassure U. take care xx sonia xx
Hi Mark, welcome to the forum.
I'm sorry to hear of your problems, made worse by not knowing exactly what's wrong. I would suggest you phone the helpline tomorrow. The number is 03000 030 555 and I'm sure their expert nurses would have some answers and advice for you.
Best of luck with this. I hope you get a proper diagnosis soon. Jan 
I had lots and lots of tests before I was diagnosed with symptoms very similar to yours and was advised I may have TB or Cancer - I can understand how scared and confused you might feel . I don't think it would do you much good if we all came on here telling you what we think you might have. Definitely speak to the BLF nurse. They will be able to advise you.
Marie
Firstly Welcome.
Have they taken the fluid from inside or the outside of the lungs? I had a severe Empyema in 2008 with a few other problems and they asked me if I had worked with asbestos which I have now found I have.
Having extra fluid on the outside will make you SOB as it is in effect reducing the lung size. you may find it will go on its own or with the help of tablets. You do not mention if they have done a spirometry test? This could show what may be going on a little better. I was found to have RLD when they did mine and then PH in hospital with a scan.
Be Well
hi all thanks for the replies. I have had a spirometry test which came out ok. also have spirometry tests at work every couple of years as part of medical. the latest test taken after I started having problems wasn't significantly worse then my previous one. as for the fluid being inside or out I don't know. it is only a small amount and hasn't changed much since it was first discovered. so far my consultant hasn't suggested any treatments. I will give the helpline a try thanks again for replying.
Lung cancer
Cellular lung treatment
Lung biopsy results
lung bullae 
Copd lung pain
