No diagnosis, scared but feeling silly, new here.

Hi there. I've been having breathing issues and pains in my chest which I just put down to asthma.

In august 17 I had a chest CT scan which was clear. Early April I had a cardiac CT scan as GP thought breathlessness may be heart releated (swelling ankles etc). My heart is fine but they found a nodule in my right upper lobe.

I didnt ask any questions so have no idea what size etc it is. Stupid right? The cardiac consultant said he wasnt concerned but wondered if I knew of this nodule as in I could have been born with it. I said no - chest CT was at different hospital so he wasnt to know about it.

He is bringing me in to rescan in three months. I thought fine - he isnt worried and if it was something they would bring me in, in two weeks.

My mind is going nuts. My GP says its nothing to worry about as I dont cough up blood and am not a chain smoker. I smoked thirty years ago for about ten years. I have asthma confirmed by the spirometer testing that same August.

I dont have a diagnosis and feel silly but my mind wont stop going into overdrive and I cant concentrate which is a bit of a disaster as I am self employed.

Ive googled (yes I know, shouldnt do that!) and seen that although most nodules are nothing, the risk goes up if it is in the upper lobe and if it grows fast (is it fast to appear in 18 mths?) . It wasnt there 18 mths ago - although GP said they will relook at original scans in case it was missed.

I guess I am wondering if the doctor says not to be concerned, how do I just stop thinking about it.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi please try not to worry it will only make things worse , I know it's easy for me to say that but it's true. Just try to be positive and get on with your business as it's you r livelyhood. Please keep posting and let us know how you get on. Have a good evening and take care of yourself 😊Bernadette xxx

[Hidden in reply to Damon1864]

Thanks Bernadette x You are completely right. I need to buckle down and get back to working. You take care too

[CDPO16]

Hi, I just wanted to say that it is very difficult to stop thinking about a problem before getting a diagnosis. It is just as hard not to worry. I have had several health scares (not lung related) in past years which turned out to be benign.

I just wanted to say that I understand how you feel and that I hope all works out well for you.

[Hidden in reply to CDPO16]

Thank you for saying you know how I feel. Its silly and I know its silly. I am driving myself nuts lol

[2greys]

Damon is right, just get on with your life and business. I am also self employed and have severe emphysema. There is absolutely nothing that you can do about it. I have been diagnosed with a lot of nodules, 12 in all, over a period of 36 months so I know how you feel. I was a very heavy smoker for over 50 years and not proud of it. Yes, a nodule can develop quite fast, in 6 months even. One of them grew to 27 mm and even though they thought it was going to be malignant, within 3 months it had started to resolve itself and the growth and activity had halted. It is still there today, sitting there doing nothing but taking up space.

A little later they found another nodule, this one was very active, aggressive and malignant. My worst fear realised, lung cancer. Then came another blow surgery was not a viable option, I failed the fitness test, my lung function was too low along with cardio arterial disease. So I then had to elect radiotherapy (SABR) as the safest option, which has been successful and well on the way to being cured.

During all that time I had continued working, even when receiving treatment and kept a positive mental attitude, I am quite sure that if I had been at home all day I would not have coped anywhere near as well as I did. Keep yourself busy my friend, it really does help an awful lot.

Google is definitely not a good idea, there is so much bad info out there. For a solitary nodule you can find out your risk of it being malignant (it will be very low). Here:

reference.medscape.com/calc...

[Hidden in reply to 2greys]

Thank you 2greys. I dont know enough about the nodule to check on that site - probably a good thing lol. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I am so glad you are doing better. You hit the nail on the head really. My job is very solitary and involves sitting on my own for hours at a time. So yeah, head is wrecked. But I have a deadline so I need to just get on with it. My mother died of breast cancer but she was so positive mentally, they used to bring the other patients in to speak to her. I need to take a leaf from her book. Thank you again. x

[Hidden]

The repeat CT scan is booked for June 28th - exactly three months from date of last one. I got to get myself out of my own head or by the time that day comes, they will be tying me down in a straight jacket! Still no word on size of the nodule or whether it is smooth or not. They wont give me information over the phone and the doctor is leaving the hospital on Tuesday so they are not sure he will get letter in the post. I am working on the basis, he will be busy dealing with serious stuff. Have a great weekend everyone.

[Sandyeggo]

Oh hey I’m with ya on that-I totally get it- how you’re feeling I’ve been there on more than one occasion. I’ve been a “professional patient” since I was 25yrs, now 53. With all the issues I’ve had in the heart/lung department I found that ALL my healthcare providers MUST be on the same page! Either by way of computer or telephone they need to talk about ME. Yup I’m worth it and so are you. When they play that stupid game of “ oh you’re fine” and next guy says” maybe you were fine yesterday but today you’re dying”, you have to be your own advocate and not by way of google! Google has pronounced me dead multiple times-lol. I always go back to basics: if I can’t breath somethings wrong. If I know what it is then take care and push through. Stressing will ALWAYS make it worse. And if your thoughts are getting away from you try another focus. For me it’s working out or doing outdoor stuff. Sometimes a good comedy can help if you just concentrate on TV for an hour or so. I sometimes just have to tell MYself” come on girl get over yourself” an I have to keep movin loud hard rock in the car works for me especially when trouble breathing blast the AC w/jacket on helps me breath🤷‍♀️You gotta find a place to free your mind-good luck with it all, feel better soon

[Hidden]

Thank you so much Sandyeggo - rock music in the car sounds fun. Yes i need to get my stress levels under control. Thank you <3

[peege]

Not silly at all, quite natural. Rather than google you might write nodule or nodules in the search bar top right and see all the previous posts and replies on them. Lots of positive ones to concentrate on. Glass half full and deep breaths to reduce anxiety 🍹

[Hidden in reply to peege]

Thanks Peege. I did that but didnt find lung nodules. Will look again Today the glass is half empty (difficult day for other reasons) but tomorrow it will be back to being half full again