I have Pleurisy and feel dizzy all of the time

[Julian1955]

1 month ago I explained to my doctor that I had a hacking dry cough for several months that was getting worse. I also had a tightness in my chest, but I do have mild stable Angina.

He arranged an x-ray. When I had the x ray they asked me to stay at the hospital. They drained two litres of clear, urine coloured liquid off. They sent me for a CT scan and this was inconclusive as there was still liquid around my left lung and the lung had partially collapsed. They took samples of the fluid and blood and concluded that it was not heart, liver or kidney failure so the consultant suspected cancer.

A few days after I went for a PET CT scan to look for cancer. Thankfully it did not show any cancer.

The consultant concluded that I must have had pneumonia a couple of months before and booked another CT scan for 3 months time.

He also asked me if I had arthritis, I said I don’t think so.

He told me to phone him if get short of breath.

The problem is that I am getting very slightly short of breath, I feel dizzy all the time and have what might be mild vertigo, pressure and ringing in my ears and I have lost my appetite, because I feel mildly sick all of the time.

I did mention to the consultant that my 28 year old son who has severe mental health problems had punched me in the head in the same place 8 times a few months earlier but the consultant dismissed this. I forgot to mention that my uncle has MS.

What should I do next? Could I ask the consultant to pass over my PET CT Scan to a neurologist?

I gave up smoking before the PET Scan and have not smoked for 4 weeks now, but I strongly feel that the fluid is building up again as I turn over in bed my lung with the fluid pushes on the other lung and makes me breathless and I also cough when I get up in the morning, but I only cough a few times.

I have bought an Oximeter and it always reads 96 or 97%

[Bkin]

So sorry you are experiencing all these difficulties, I really think you need to go back to your consultant and communicate what you have said about:

"I strongly feel that the fluid is building up again as I turn over in bed my lung with the fluid pushes on the other lung and makes me breathless "

It sound like your health needs ongoing monitoring even though you do have a scheduled CT scan in 3 months from your last appointment.

There is nothing wrong in you writing, emailing or phoning the consultant / secretary to communicate your current developing symptoms and concerns.

I wonder if you could ask your GP for a referral to a neurologist with regard to your head injury as mentioned and the dizzy spells. Could be that you have two separate issues going on. Just communicate your concerns.

The good news is your blood oxygen levels are pretty good at 96 and 97%.

I hope things get resolved for you and that all investigations are carried out to determine the cause and alleviate any symptoms you are experiencing.

Very best wishes to you.

Take good care of yourself.