Clubbed fingers, three doctors told me so in the past two weeks.
Inreased difficulty breathing over the past month or so, lots of phlegm and coughing
Had an xray last week after being hospitalised for a 2 hour long hyperventilation episode.
Clear chest xray done at the time.
Regrettable but now ended 12 year smoking history.
I think a CT scan is warranted especially as I am also being investigated for Marfans. I think a CT scan is warranted or some further investigation. The doctor I saw today thinks no further investigation is needed. Got the lecture about how I should 'trust doctors' from peers and a nurse practioner who said things I know to be factually incorrect. Something os obviously not right, had the word hypochondriac thrown at me a few times. What am I supposed to do? Die quietly?
Written by
JHutton1994
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Thats terrible not all drs know what's best for you and neither does a nurse you know your body better than anyone its so wrong the way people get treated now its as if drs don't really care anymore .
Get a second opinion from someone who will listen. You’ve been treated badly and it seems to be happening more often these days. Please let us know how you get on. Xxx
You need to see a respiratory specialist for proper investigations. Profuse mucus production is proof that something is going on and shouldn't be ignored. I'm afraid that many doctors do not have the expertise that they profess to have and brush off anything that they don't understand. Go back to your own GP and insist on a referral to a good respiratory specialist. You can find one for yourself and take the name. Do not take no for an answer
If you can afford it get a private CT scan. Check out on the NHS website what it says about clubbed fingers.
I've noticed over the years that in ceasing the cigs it can take a while to clear the lungs of years of gunk. We members always say we're all different and that goes for people who've quit smoking. Its a pity your medics haven't mentioned that however, I say very well done you, best thing you could do for your lungs.
The next best thing could be to check out lung clearance videos on youtube, the simplest is the huffing technique.
An x-ray doesn't show everything. Did you say you'd had a spirometry test?
Got a spirometry booked still not had the appointment advised there's a sizeable backlog because they could not perform spirometry tests during COVID so could be a while off yet. That's my thinking too, like what if there is something there that the xray is just not showing and more detailed imaging is required? Or because I have Marfans this could be a cardiac thing, but they listened to the heart with a stesthoscope and said it sounds normal. I just feel very stressed and confused.
I'm afraid that if you're in the uk you have to be patient for a diagnosis. I've always said that if I had my time over I'd pay privately for a ct scan on a credit card to save all the waiting & worrying - it really doesn't help getting anxious &/or stressed, it really doesn't. Best, Peege
Hello your post made me smile , then it crossed my mind that times don't change nor some doctors knowledge. You are correct a clear Xray just says there is no cancer , or infection like pnuemonia,bronchitis etc . You need proper breathing tests done and MRI scan to rule out lung conditions that dont show on Xray or even maybe a broncoscope to see if there are any problems in the lung. Going back to when I was first diagnosed with a lung condition my GP said he would never have referred me based on my breatrhing test done in surgery , but I do have a lung condition. So do persist if you feel there may be something wrong as you may have something that can be treated and tests have really already ruled out cancer. Good luck wiuth finding a more obliging doctor.
Hi, I feel your frustration. Xrays were ok with me, but I knew my lungs weren't right. I took videos of my coughing on my phone which my consultant refused to even glance at. In the end I had to virtually BEG him to do a CT scan, which I did get. He phoned me a couple of weeks afterwards to apologise and to let me know it had shown I had bronchiectasis on top of my already hard to control asthma. I had to really resist the temptation to shout 'I told you so' down the phone at him! He's not been much good since, and although my GP sent in an "urgent" request in Aug 2022 for him to review my deteriorating lungs, I'm still waiting to be seen and GP has had to send two more letters. My house is now up for sale and I am planning on moving out of Wales to England to get shorter waiting lists.
Obviously you want answers which I agree with however you should keep an open mind to possible causes. Personally I would wait for the results of your spirometry before thinking of a CT scan. If you are found to have obstructive breathing then a referral to a respiratory consultant is warranted and a CT scan will be part of that. You have clear lung fields on x-ray which would suggest your sputum production cough etc is all upper respiratory tract. You said you have recently stopped smoking and a cough and sputum production is very common following giving up. Basically your lungs try to get out all the muck etc from smoking. I would suggest you buy a pulse oximeter to measure your oxygen saturations. My daughter feels short of breath but her oxygen levels are fine. There is a big difference between feeling short of breath and being breathless with low oxygen saturations. From my own personal experience you need to keep an open mind to it having a physical or psychological cause.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Persistent Cough and upper back pain
What A Birthday I Had !
So Yet Another Follow Up - Starting I think 2020 - Bizzar,
Update - I saw rheumologist today 
