I had my first rheumatology appointment last week and I'm happy that I've been seen and will hopefully be finding out more! I was referred because of a positive ANA (speckled, 1:1280 titre) and general aches and pains and feeling tired.
I had a bunch more blood tests taken and a urine sample (which was okay, apparently) but the consultant mentioned she could hear some "crackles" in my breathing during the examination and said that I also need a chest x-ray.
I do have a follow up scheduled, but I'm just curious as to what the chest x-ray could be for? Of course I should have asked in the appointment, but I guess my mind went blank in the moment!!
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josee94
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I did yesterday at hospital Tiggy,I had been treated for a chest infection the previous week and paramedics decided to take me into hosp yesterday because of my chest pain up into jaw and the fact she could hear crackles in my lungs at bottom she said.I had a chest X-ray done amongst other things and the cardiologist said my chest was clear and lungs were normal with not even a sign of any infection at all.HTH x
Yes it was a “funny” experience altogether.He was a lovely man and he said your heart is healthy you have not had a heart attack you do not have a dvt and you have healthy lungs and chest with not even a sign you’ve had an infection.he was horrified gp hadn’t seen me but gave me script then when I phoned after around 4 days and said I now had left sided chest pain,receptionist would not give me an appointment to see gp,she said finish the course of antibiotics then call back.he was shocked and shook his head when I sad this.He said to me I think this is your lupus not anything life threatening and I also think it’s your bones I didn’t understand that,he said make sure you keep your new rheumy appointment and he will do further testing you know.Well I didn’t know and he was running around like a headless chicken so many alarms and pages for him I felt a fraud being there and just couldn’t bring myself to question him,he was honest and said I’m baffled but it’s def not your heart or chest.
Do not feel like a fraud! With your lupus, chest pain and pain radiating to jaw, you needed the A & E. I think the cardiologist was pleased he could rule out the big stuff - heart attack, pneumonia, myocarditis. That in no way means you don’t have symptoms and need further monitoring.
Your description of the cardiologist running around like a chicken with his head cut made me laugh. He is probably on service and getting paged with calls like “young woman with lupus and chest pain in A & E.” No wonder he wasn’t happy with your GP 😫
Thank you kayHimm he was a really good natured man considering all the pressure he was under.paramedics were also excellent.we used to get a letter from a hospital visit with instructions for gp didn’t we ? I just got turfed out lolThank you for your kind comments especially loved the “young woman” part lol 64 years young now xx
Glad you were okay in the end! Meanwhile, I do actually feel a bit of a fraud having the X-ray since I haven't had any chest pain or anything like that at all!
No dnt feel that josee they obviously think it needs to be done they use it to check so many other things apart from your chest I was so appreciative to hear them rule out stuff so grab it when it’s offered.This is the first real help I’m getting after years of no care or only the private care I could afford at the time and I’m so glad of it.they will just be ruling out an underlying infection but they also get other info which will also be helpful to a rheumy.best of luck xx
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