Update on CT scan and X-ray.....

[Gigi71]

My rheumatologist telephoned this morning re my X-ray, I had done the week leading up to Christmas. We seemed to be at crossed purposes, it turns out she had sent me a letter dated the 8th December, which I didn't receive with the results of my CT scan. I seems the nodule is nothing to worry about, which is great news, but the radiologist wanted an X-ray as still a white opacity in the chest area, they wondered if I had a chest infection or had one recently.. The answer is no. I have had a pain in the chest for about a month, very uncomfortable, it feels like costochonditus. She wants me to see the GP or go to A&E incase its my heart. I went last year and it was costochonditus, but not dx by them, but by my GP. She also said you have a large hiatus hernia, I know this, was dx about 12 years ago, well, not a large one though. I take lansoprazol for this. I have a cough when I lay down at night, this she thinks could be reflux !! The ultrasound test I have booked for the 23rd Jan, is for investigation for a cyst on my liver. So I have booked an appointment with my Doctor, it's for the 17th Jan. The surgery hadn't received a letter either. So at least I now know what all the tests are for. X G

[NanaFifi]

Confused? You will be!!

Will "speak with you very soon". Xxx

[Someonesmother]

Wow sounds like you have a bit going on. Hope they get to the bottom of it. Interesting I also have a hiatus hernia. I wonder how many if us have one?

[Gigi71 in reply to Someonesmother]

Thanks SOM, hoping my GP is able to help, he is very good, but so busy. Could have seen another doctor in the practice, but much prefer to see my own. Yes I wonder too about the HH. I believe mine was from long term use of Voltarol r and steroids. Rarely suffer with any reflux now, the lansoprazol works well, have been wondering lately if the lansoprazol stops you absorbing the nutriments from your food. As despite a good diet, my recent Dexa scan shows my bone density is low in my hips and top of my Fumor. Hope you had a good Christmas and New year. Xx

[Someonesmother in reply to Gigi71]

I am on somac for HH. It works well. I have the bone thinning but from steroids. I know what you mean about seeing your gp, I waited 5 days to see mine yesterday ened up with bronchitis again and infected sinus, the ear aches are epic! I thought infections would stop once I stopped all ra meds. Haha he also got a letter from the registrar who wrote I had fibro. He said no you don't, you don't have fibro symptoms.

So stick with gp who has your history and knows you. Hope you get some answers soon.

[Gigi71 in reply to Someonesmother]

Sorry to hear you have infections again, not funny I always get 'man flu' fortunately not very often. I bet you saw red with the fibro dx. Steroids also caused my osteoporosis way back. We can't win. Try Vick on your chest at night and drink hot water, lemon and honey. Better than some over the counter meds. Take care and thx.

[Someonesmother in reply to Gigi71]

No I told gp prior that she was going to push for that and I wouldn't accept it, so he was on board too. Still waiting to hear back from head of rheumatology. I have referral now to book in and see him privately.

I managed two days back at work but the earaches and constant coughing have drained me. I am on high dose antibiotic so hopefully it will knock it out so I can go back on Monday. I hardly ever got anything prior to having ra.

[Gigi71 in reply to Someonesmother]

Good to hear you are making some progress with GP and rheumatologist. Poor you you go one step forward and two back. Hoping the antibox work soon. All the best. Hugs X

[Someonesmother in reply to Gigi71]

My gp is great. Rheumy is goid too when you actually get to speak to him, not registrars. I will also be telling him how registrar lied about my symptoms to fit me in a box.

Hopefully you will also get answers sooner rather than later. It is so frustrating going around in circles.

[Leonwp]

You have abucket full on your plate with that lot. Blessings.

[Gigi71 in reply to Leonwp]

As with you Leon. Thx for your kind words xx

[Joy_1]

Hi Gigi

With regards to reflux ...

I had a persistent cough. I am under the chest clinic as well as rheumatology as my RA has gone for my lungs (luckily mild and controlled).

The consultant at the chest clinic got me to double up on the Lansoprazole for a couple of months. So I took 60 rather than 30mg. He said I was in his opinion producing too much stomach mucous as my stomach was getting irritated by the meds.

Hooray! That did the trick. The coughing stopped.

I guess it was about seeing a specialist in that area that solved it. As rheumatology just shrugged their shoulders re cough as it was not related to the RA.

Joy

[Gigi71 in reply to Joy_1]

I was taking 2 a day, have had this irritating cough for a year now. I actually believe its to do with one of my BP meds, as from this morning have gone back up to taking two 30 mg a day, only reduced for a month, so will see if it helps with the pain again. Thanks for replying, always good to hear other people's experience. Sorry to hear it's gone to your lungs, albeit controlled. I notice when I apply for travail insurance, one of the questions is has it affected your lungs, I have always said no. Think I will be asking my GP when I see him, so thanks Joy for mentioning this. I also have hashimoto's and on the Thyroid site they say not to take ppi's but of course I have too. Take care. X

[Joy_1 in reply to Gigi71]

Hi Gigi

It took about 3 months of doubling up the dose to clear up the persistent mucous cough. I was beginning to think the consultant had got it wrong. Then suddenly it was gone!

I don't take BP pills but I have heard that a cough can be one of the side effects of taking them. However it is interesting that you cough when you lay down which I hear is usually a sign of acid reflux.

Perhaps the following may also help:

1 - sleeping on a deeper pillow so that you are not lying flat

2 - not eating a big meal before bed

3 - having a milky drink before bed

4 - cutting down on acidic foods

5 - cutting down on gassy drinks

As for the lungs. A couple of months before my joints suddenly stiffened up, I developed a persistent dry cough. It suddenly stopped and then the joints stiffened up. I have UCTD (undifferentiated connective tissue disease). In my case it tends to go for the soft tissue in the hands and feet and then if unlucky it picks an organ - in my case the lungs. On the plus side when joints do get attacked I don't get any erosion.

My Rheumatology consultant says the key is a dry cough not any other type of cough. Hence he shrugged his shoulders when I said it was a mucous cough. The only thing that was key for them was that the mucous was clear or white. If it was yellow or green then that is a sign of lung infection.

Hope the cough mystery is sorted out soon and turns out to be something straight forward.

Joy

[Gigi71 in reply to Joy_1]

Thank you Joy. I do follow most of the above. I drink herbal tea, only have milk in a cappuccino once in a while, other than that I don't drink milk. My diet is mostly anti inflammatory, and gluten free, low sugar. The one thing is when I had costochonditus last year I slept sitting up, so will give that a go again. My cough does crackle, but I don't have any flem. Hopefully my GP has some idea. I was originally dx with lupus over 30 years ago, but a blood test last year confirmed I no longer have the factor. I have erosive RA with many ops along the way. Humira has been a good drug for me, however it is causing small skin cancers, so I may have to consider changing to Rituxamab. I was offered this last year. We need meds but they come with a price. X

[Joy_1 in reply to Gigi71]

Yes you are so right, we need the meds but they do come with a price!

[Hidden]

You've been quite busy!! Best wishes to you.

[Gigi71 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Sue for your good wishes. Wishing you a good weekend. X