Two Abnormal Chest X Rays.

[Ern007]

I have COPD and other ailment but this year has seen a twist.

both.

Not many flare ups but more breathing difficulties.

Some time ago I was found to have some scaring on a lung.

Went for my COPD review this year and told the Asthma nurse my changed symptoms which includes fatigue. She said she would have a word with Doctor which she did, and he ordered an X Ray.

Not long after I was recalled to COPD nurse and in walked Dr and said i had a mark on my lung, i said do you mean shadow and he said yes,

He wanted a repeat x ray in 8 weeks which I had and again I was seen by my usual doctor this time. She said she was referring me and that I would need a MRI scan.

Not long after a got a call offering me various hospitals, I chose my normal and got an appointment for 20th January 2020. That seems a long time to wait, she advised I rang to see over cancellations from time to time.

I don't know what is causing shadows but i know what it could be - I might add during the 8 week gap, my GP said it had not got better but was no worse.

My question is has anyone else with COPD or NOT, had abnormal X Ray on lung and had to wait 4 moths to be seen.

I was told MRI would be separate and also told Chest Consultant would order MRI. not GP.

Anyone had similar experience?

[knitter]

I know I had to wait months for a referral but my x Ray was ok .

Could you contact the other hospitals on your list and see if they have an earlier appointment available. I had to do this when I needed a bladder scan, and I had to travel instead of using my local hospital as they couldn't offer me a firm date.

If not I would get back to your GP and express your concerns about the delay , and ask if she/he could fast track it.

Best wishes.

[Ern007 in reply to knitter]

Thank you i will try and have it brought forward, not holding my breath,

[fenty]

hi there,yes similar to you i have copd and get breathless on exertion,my respiratory consultant did an ct scan and saw something on my right lung,i had to wait a month or so for the ct scan but once this growth was noticed i was having a pet scan within two days to see if it was showing hot or cold,fortunately it was showing cold but looks like its growing,so im due to have another scan to see how much and at what rate its growing,as the c word hasnt been mentioned im not as worried as i could have been,but this growth is on an airway and i think this is whats worrying my consultant,i didnt have to wait 4 months due to this abnormality,im sure I'd have worried myself silly had i had to do so,have a word with your gp to see if he/she could talk to someone about getting things moving faster or at least explain to you whats happening.

[Ern007 in reply to fenty]

Thank's for your post, I am ringing appointments to see if I can get in early. We have large teaching hospitals and just 6 miles away, there may be other but some are 20 miles away/

[fenty in reply to Ern007]

i hope you get some reassurance as its worrying,and the longer you wait the more you worry,i dont think they realise how waiting for a long time to get scans and results stays on your mind,im sure its not done intentionally as they have lots of other patients to consider as well,but i do think they should at least let you know more about whats happening especially when you have to chase things up,any bit of reassurance goes a long way to stop us worrying so much,i was okay,being informed all along the way what was and did happen,my respiratory consultant rang me at home to keep my wife and i updated as to the aporoach and treatment to find out what this growth is,and that's stopped us both worrying less than we would have done,my gp was great and still is about it all,never making us both feel that i was worrying uneccesarily,this has all been a massive help,im sure your gp would be just as accommodating as mine is,im not out of the woods yet but im more positive due to the information that ive been given,i hope that someone can give you the information and reassurance that you need during this worrying time,best wishes to you and i sincerely hope for a positive result for you... fenty.

[Ern007 in reply to fenty]

Thank you very much for your post. i did ring appointments but no joy I am however tomorrow morning seeing the Thyroid Consultant and she may look in my record and could well help. I will update.. Also I hope you get your problem sorted, yes it's the C word at the back of all our minds in this situation.

[fenty in reply to Ern007]

thankyou,its a pleasure to talk to people like yourself who know the ordeals we have to go through each day just to be able to live each day comfortably and enjoy life as much as possible,the very best wishes to you and i hope you get positive answers and results as soon as is possible... fenty.

[Hollyhops]

Hi yes I'm in same boat.. Had bad chest infection in May.spent 4 days in hospital Had follow up xray 6 weeks later in June.. white shadow on edge of left lung where infection was.. Got letter in post for ct scan which is not till end October so doctor would have ordered the scan after my 6 weeks xray which means it is a wait of 4 months for scan...im so worried what it might be.. But wondering would they leave you waiting 4 months if they thought it was serious..

[Ern007 in reply to Hollyhops]

Mine is slightly different it was not after infection, I wish it was; It's the unknown I wonder about, shadow on left Apex is upper lung and I have Emphysema . Good luck with yours, going to ring appointments and see if anyone has cancelled.

[Hollyhops]

Ps.. I have copd mild and Asthma only diagnosed 1 year ago.. Am on spiollto respimat for copd and flixitide for Asthma.

[Ern007 in reply to Hollyhops]

I am on three inhalers for COPD and asthma, this year I have had less flare ups than normal.

[Schmicter]

4 months for a scan is ridiculous. Do you have a shortage of CT machines over there in England? Here in the US if a scan is ordered by your doctor you could get it done the same day in most instances.

[Ern007 in reply to Schmicter]

I was referred to consultant by my GP and then he will I suppose order an MRI scan. We are not short of machines but maybe staff and therefore I am sure MRI could have been ordered before I attended clinic. It was a shadow on left Apex and repeat X ray showed it had not gone, or got worse but, it could and my appointment is 20th January 2020 - gobsmacked.

[Grannylala]

In UK,if there is any suspicion that it could be cancer,the Gp should fast track you so you are seen within 3 weeks.I think you should have a discussion with Gp about this fact ASAP.,as you are entitled to know what his thoughts are regarding length of referral.

[Ern007 in reply to Grannylala]

Thank's, they don't know and won't know unless I have MRS scan.

[Grannylala]

Sorry to be pedantic,but surely if they don't know either way,even more reason to fast track investigations.Fingers crossed for you.

[Ern007 in reply to Grannylala]

Grannylala - That is not "pedantic" at all. It is common sense you write. I have just rang appointments and as far as they are concerned, no chance of an earlier date. I can ring to see if anyone has cancelled. Off the table now is other hospital, maybe I should have travelled. at the time I wanted local because i live in a village and wife can't drive. and if I had to have a stay, she would struggle to get there. My GP has been brilliant but it takes an age to see Thyroid consultant and Heart consultant.. Things have changed a lot in 15-20 years.

[Ern007]

FOLLOW UP: My GP was not aware of the delay . I put a note in surgery yesterday and I got a call this morning, she is asking for my appointment to be expedited - Thank you all for your reply's/