Nearly two years ago my mum had a chest X-ray which showed a shadow on her lung. She had a CT scan which ruled out cancer. She had another X-ray a few weeks ago which showed the shadow had stayed the same as the first X-ray nearly two years ago. She keeps being told numerous things like pneumonia, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. I am concerned that it is more serious than what they are suggesting. Would COPD show as a shadow the same size for two year?
thank you
worried daughter
Hello worried daughter, I understand your concern. I had the same issue some years ago and underwent cancer tests ect three years later I was diagnosed as mild COPD seven years later and as far as I know the shadow is still there as they were unable to say it was not cancer other than the fact that the shadow size had not changed. This shadow was detected originally around 1991 and said it was of no significence. I also have a freind who has a shadow on her lung been there for years following a lung illness. It can just be scaring from previous pnuemonia or the like. Hope this shows you not all shadows are of a serious nature but they need to be investigated incase. In my opinion they should be rechecked on a regular basis for changes in size as part of preventitive medicine. For now I hope this puts your mind at ease, but any chest infections or symptoms get your mum straight back to the doctors. Every Best Wish to you both
Thank you so much for sharing, has definitely put me at ease. I will make sure she keeps getting her checks. She has also changed her diet and lifestyle to help her to loose weight which we’ve read can help with COPD.
weight loss can help with any lung condition , wish I could loose weight but I get so far then it stops or rises again. but I manage to keep it stable most of the time.Best wishes to you both.
It is so hard to change your lifestyle, I’m a terrible yo yo dieter! I always need a goal to work towards. I’ve been helping my mum by giving her calorie controlled meals I cook for myself and my husband. My dad has even gotten in on them too!
Know what you mean, its easier if the whole family do it. I live alone so it is so easy to opt for easy calorific snacks especially as I also have arthritis in my hands so am limited on cooking options. Keep up those good new habits it will benefit you all.
Hi. I have had some shadowing on my lungs, noted 4 years ago. I've had many X-Ray's, two CT scans, one was a high resolution one. I saw the respiratory consultant a couple of weeks ago and he wasn't concerned, he thinks it's old scarring. It doesn't seem to have progressed in that time. I have a cough and this is put down to a large hiatus hernia. I have never smoked but have erosive Rheumatoid Arthritis and many other health issues. He is going to check again in a year. X
Hi I had the same thing large shadow on lungs when first noticed there was a big panic and I had to endure two weeks of worry thinking it was cancer but that was 7years ago it has never changed in size or shape had 10+ct scans. Over the years and what it is diagnosed as is nothing more than calcium yes no idea why or where it came from could be past chest infections but don't care as long as not cancer. So try not to worry about it to much. Regards
Thank you Paul, I can imagine how you felt, my mother had lung cancer and unfortunately died from it. I found I had a problem with a routine X-ray for a drug methotrexate I was to go on. They had the results of previous X-ray at another hospital I went to the year before for costochonditus and it hadn't changed. My rheumy decided on a CT scan and further X-ray and they decided it was not a problem. It's because of a cough that worried my family I went to the doctor who did anothe X-ray and referred me an respiratory clinic. They did a high resolution CT scan. I waited 4 months for the results, I knew I had some fibrosis from other consultants I saw. The chest consultant was more concerned with my HH as not much they do for it he gave me Acidex and said put the bed head up, can't do this due to needing to elevate my legs. Also a problem with Acidex as it interferes with other medications. I appreciate your reassurance. All the best to you too. X
Thank you so much for sharing, has definitely put me at ease. I will make sure she keeps getting her checks. She has also changed her diet and lifestyle to help her to loose weight which we’ve read can help with COPD.
I think sometimes we just want a definite answer, I was told its mild fibrosis and not to worry, it is possibly old scarring, I had whooping cough as a child and also lived in a household where my parents smoked and later when I married, my ex husband also was a heavy smoker. Good for her taking control of her lifestyle, I go to chair yoga mainly for my severe spinal stenosis, but the breathing exercises are really helping with my breathing. You are doing the right thing by making sure she has regular checks, it will reassure you. Take lots of care. X
Hi Seashell,
Try not to worry about your Mum, the tests they do now are so informative so if there was anything serious it would show. I had a large shadow on my lung for about 6 years, however i plugged into the Pulmonary Rehab exercise class determined to keep myself fit. I then asked for a Lung Transplant as I was on oxygen most of the time. Because i had been looking after my fitness, after all the tests that took 3 days, i was registered. One year later i had a double lung transplant and am now breathing fine! Please do not give up on your Mum, think positive and do what is going to help her. I did all the scans, x rays etc that they give but i would not think negative, even though i was very ill.
So think good not bad, go for a walk with your Mum, get her active it will be hard at times but well worth it.
Thank you so much for sharing, has definitely put me at ease. I will make sure she keeps getting her checks. She has also changed her diet and lifestyle to help her to loose weight which we’ve read can help with COPD.
Thats good then you need to relax too! Some people diagnosed with COPD don't even know they have it and will go on for ever!! Take good care of each other x
Thank you xx
Worrying X Ray Results
Back 70 Years
lung shadow identifed
After surgery Shadow on Lung
