Query about shadow on my left lower lung

[Hpaddict]

Hi, I had a chest x-ray and abdominal x-ray at the hospital on Sunday due to having abdominal pain which was diagnosed as gastritis.

This morning, a consultant radiologist rang me and told me that they have seen a shadow in my lower left lung. They said it could be a number of things including infection. They said they would give me antibiotics, but then said they couldn't, as the antibiotic they would give me could cause gastrointestinal problems or make my gastritis worse. So said they would leave it and do a repeat chest x-ray in 6-8wks in the hope that it will go on its own. It's making me nervous with the fact I am asthmatic and that usually my asthma doesn't cope with chest infections at all and normally knock me for six.

My peak flow is slightly down but not by much, even though I've had my brown and blue inhaler this morning. Do have a slight cough, pain in ribs at the back and am bringing up phlegm but at the moment it is clear.

Does anyone have any advice as don't know what to think.

[Lotti_321-]

I’d speak to your gp as they might be able to also view the X-ray or at least the report. To then check (if especially with having asthma) it is right to leave it or if they’re better seeing if there’s an antibiotic that can give you which wouldn’t irritate your gastro symptoms

[Poobah]

I agree with Lotti. Talk to your GP. They may want to take a sputum test in order to rule out infection. As an asthmatic you don't want to wait weeks to treat a chest infection. And be honest with your doctor, tell them you're worried about your rest results and the discussion with the radiologist. I had a similar scare about 3 years ago. I had a chest scan and they found a nodule in one lung and a mass in my left breast. Didn't sleep for a couple of nights and teary conversation with my bf. Had to wait for a few weeks for next scan. All OK. Background checks ruled out mass in breast as something already investigated and cleared. But the wait seemed like forever.

Every time I have such tests I'm always told that something will always be found - we're not perfect and full of anomalies. Doesn't seem to help at the time though!