possible lung mets

Hi everyone

I have posted a few times now (from UK) about persistent cough I have had since Feb this year. I saw respiratory doc. on Monday. had various lung function exercises then last of all another chest x-ray as last one was done in Nov last year.A slight shadow has been found (still in shock) I have to wait now for a CT scan.( sometimes I wish lived in the States) I don't I would have to wait then) apparently there could be a 3 month waiting list here (GASP) I hope not.

I am worried maybe prematurely and it could something else but still worried.

Just wanted to tell someone, don't think I want to ask any specific questions yet!

Thanks for being there anyway.

Carol,

I'll keep my fingers crossed and pray that it's not something bad. I know it's hard to wait. Is there a way to get on a waiting list for cancellations?

Thinking of you

Hope they get you in quick for the CT scan, I dont think it changes the prognosis much but the waiting can be hell. Keep in mind, even if it is cancer there's a small chance it might not be mets. I know from personal experience. I was sure the cancer in my right lung was mets from my right side breast cancer, but it turns out it was totally unrelated. Lung cancer is not good, but it's a whole lot better than lung mets. I had surgery, with a long recuperation time and a lot of pain, but they caught it early and I didn't even need chemo! Anyway, good luck.

Carol I'm in the UK too and struggling with the frustrations of waiting lists and stuff. ( I had my original diagnosis and treatment when living in Germany). I had a shadow on my chest x-ray in April and have just had the all clear from a second x-ray. I had a cough since End of Feb, and am now told that the shadow must have been infection. Last year I had a cough from Feb through until October with an X-ray in May and CT scan in September. Both were clear. It's so hard not to worry but it may well be OK. Keep your chin up. Rachel

95% of patients with chronic cough have one or more of three conditions causing it: postnasal drip, reactive airway disease (asthma), or esophageal reflux (stomach juices coming up to the throat). about 2/3 have two of the three and about 1/6 have all three. Look carefully for those conditions, just playing the odds. True, if these conditions collectively explain 95% of such cases, there remains 5% that could include mets. The 'various lung function exercises' probably were looking for asthma, so you need to focus on the other two. Are you taking tamoxifen?

Hi Sandy I was just wondering why you asked if Carol is taking Tamoxifen? Is this related some way to the cough? Rachel

Re waiting lists, you (or your GP) could try around other centres in the UK for somewhere with less CT queue. It is possible to get referred to a hospital other than your local one, if the travelling is not a problem for you.

Tim Jackson