Hacking cough and chest x-rays
Discussion
Mrs Humpy has had the hacking cough and a general feeling of unwellness for the last 4 weeks. Despite having been prescribed 3 different antibiotics nothing seems to be touching it.
She has been to her GP 3 times and on each occasion she has been sent for a chest x-ray. Now, I'm no expert but doesn't that seem a bit extreme? I accept that it will show any differences to the last x-ray but isn't a chest x-ray a chest x-ray i.e. it's not like a blood test where the GP can request for different things to be tested for.
Thoughts?
She has been to her GP 3 times and on each occasion she has been sent for a chest x-ray. Now, I'm no expert but doesn't that seem a bit extreme? I accept that it will show any differences to the last x-ray but isn't a chest x-ray a chest x-ray i.e. it's not like a blood test where the GP can request for different things to be tested for.
Thoughts?
3 chest x-rays in in what time period? 4 weeks?
It’s a bit excessive of the GP, but not unheard of.
What were the reasons for each X-ray? If the first one showed something then a repeat often gets done 6 weeks later, following treatment, to ensure it resolves....
I think I need more info in order to better help. Eg what were the (rough) dates of each x-ray?
Were all requested through GP? Or did your wife go through A&E or other referral source.
Why did GP request each one?
Any unintentional weight loss, coughing blood, history of cancer, smoker?
It’s a bit excessive of the GP, but not unheard of.
What were the reasons for each X-ray? If the first one showed something then a repeat often gets done 6 weeks later, following treatment, to ensure it resolves....
I think I need more info in order to better help. Eg what were the (rough) dates of each x-ray?
Were all requested through GP? Or did your wife go through A&E or other referral source.
Why did GP request each one?
Any unintentional weight loss, coughing blood, history of cancer, smoker?
I think sometimes GPs go through a standard process of things and when they don't get the result they wanted they do the same thing again.
I had a similar thing where I kept getting skin infections, every time I said I keep getting these, its not right, they do a blood test for diabetes. That comes back fine, they shrug their shoulders. Next time, same thing, blood test. After about 2 years I said Im not having anymore blood tests. But we have to rule it out. I said I have had 12 blood tests in the last 2 years, all of which have been fine all the while I repeatedly get these infections, if that's not ruled out what is?
Back to the cough though, there is an nasty virus going round. Ive had a cough for weeks I can't shift.
I had a similar thing where I kept getting skin infections, every time I said I keep getting these, its not right, they do a blood test for diabetes. That comes back fine, they shrug their shoulders. Next time, same thing, blood test. After about 2 years I said Im not having anymore blood tests. But we have to rule it out. I said I have had 12 blood tests in the last 2 years, all of which have been fine all the while I repeatedly get these infections, if that's not ruled out what is?
Back to the cough though, there is an nasty virus going round. Ive had a cough for weeks I can't shift.
Quite rare to have that many chest x-rays in a small period. Patients in hospital might expect it if they are acutely unwell. Normally you have a follow-up after six weeks and if it's still there you might have a CT scan to look for an underlying cause that antibiotics can't deal with.
Believe me if the chest X-Rays were showing up anything untoward they should be on to it pretty quickly.
I had the one, then a CT scan, then a referral, then a bronchoscopy, then a biopspy all in pretty quick succession. Luckily the final procedure was conclusive that it wasn't cancer and probably something else (had to wait a few more weeks for that analysis), was positively sh*tting myself up until then.
I had the one, then a CT scan, then a referral, then a bronchoscopy, then a biopspy all in pretty quick succession. Luckily the final procedure was conclusive that it wasn't cancer and probably something else (had to wait a few more weeks for that analysis), was positively sh*tting myself up until then.
Humpy D said:
Mrs Humpy has had the hacking cough and a general feeling of unwellness for the last 4 weeks. Despite having been prescribed 3 different antibiotics nothing seems to be touching it.
When I had pneumonia the xrays clearly showed an infection in my lung. Two weeks later, after antibiotics, another xray showed my lung as a big blurry splodge. The infection had caused a lot of fluid to accumulate which was diagnosed from the x-ray and needed urgent treatment. From my experience its better to catch things as soon as possible.Not all chest/lung infections are caused by bacteria. Viral and fungal infections won't be affected by antibiotics and some bacteria is resistant.
Hope she recovers soon.
ETA, I'd only had a bad cough for a few weeks, but otherwise felt fine, until I collapsed in pain and was taken to a&e.
Edited by Xerstead on Monday 31st December 12:36
C0ffin D0dger said:
Believe me if the chest X-Rays were showing up anything untoward they should be on to it pretty quickly.
I had the one, then a CT scan, then a referral, then a bronchoscopy, then a biopspy all in pretty quick succession. Luckily the final procedure was conclusive that it wasn't cancer and probably something else (had to wait a few more weeks for that analysis), was positively sh*tting myself up until then.
Agree. If anything major showed up you would be fast tracked onto a 2 week wait cancer pathway (or other if relevant). Problem is the sensitivity of chest X-rays isn’t great. I had the one, then a CT scan, then a referral, then a bronchoscopy, then a biopspy all in pretty quick succession. Luckily the final procedure was conclusive that it wasn't cancer and probably something else (had to wait a few more weeks for that analysis), was positively sh*tting myself up until then.
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