Hi,
I am not sure if this is the correct forum to post on, but this site is full of useful information, so maybe someone can help. I am 52 and quit smoking 3 years ago. Best move I ever made. 18 months ago I had an unresolving cough and felt pretty tired all the time. That took my to my family physician who noted that I had lost weight since my last check up. A chest Xray showed something that led to a CT. The CT showed no evidence of cancer and the cough cleared up. I have been left with the tiredness and bring up some sputum in the morning and less so throughout the day. Due to family history and having been a tobacco user, my physician suggested another CT in 6 months would be appropriate if I was still concerned. I left it 16 months before I had a repeat scan as the sputum and tiredness has just kept niggling me. I have tried, to no avail to put my lost weight back on. The repeat scan showed nothing of concern. My physician has agreed to order another scan, as long as I wait another 6 months, if I think that it will put my mind at rest. I don't want to keep going for scans so I was looking to see how reassured I should be with the last scan, especially as it was 18 months after my symptoms started. My physician has also been looking elsewhere to explain my symptoms and blood tests and colonoscopy have not been revealing. But it has been useful in ruling things out.
I apologise if this is not the correct forum to ask my question.
Ray
Reply # - August 27, 2016, 05:44 AM
Hi Ray,
Hi Ray,
Welcome to GRACE. And no need to apologize...the cancer aspect of your question is quite appropriate for this forum.
The two clear scans you have received, along with the amount of time that has passed since your symptoms began, is greatly reassuring that you do not have lung cancer. Most lung cancers which are causing the type of symptoms you're experiencing are easily seen on a chest CT, and its very unlikely that, even if the cancer couldn't be seen on the first scan, it would not have further progressed and be visible in the latest CT. A small, difficult-to-see nodule is unlikely to cause your symptoms.
I hope that your doctor can discover the cause of those symptoms, with a solution to provide you with relief.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - September 2, 2016, 11:55 AM
Hi Jim,
Hi Jim,
Just dropping back in to say thank you. Just being able to ask my question was a great relief for me, getting an educated response helped me make up my mind about a future scan. I think you know my plans.
Ray
No more scans.