Posted: 5/17/2015 12:38:20 AM EDT
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I had this week a chest x-ray for cough, congestion and such.
One of the impressions by the radiologist was "mild patchy areas of pleural thickening. Follow up my be helpful to confirm stability." I was a municipal firefighter for 29 years. Simply, what are the odds that it is NOT mesothelioma? Follow-up has been scheduled, surely more might be forthcoming. No hx of TB, multiple infections, pneumothoracies etc. Eta: I know it is too early to be worried. It might have been a poor x-ray image. I'm sure I will insist on another. |
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Quoted:
I had this week a chest x-ray for cough, congestion and such. One of the impressions by the radiologist was "mild patchy areas of pleural thickening. Follow up my be helpful to confirm stability." I was a municipal firefighter for 29 years. Simply, what are the odds that it is NOT mesothelioma? Follow-up has been scheduled, surely more might be forthcoming. No hx of TB, multiple infections, pneumothoracies etc. Eta: I know it is too early to be worried. It might have been a poor x-ray image. I'm sure I will insist on another. Wait for the follow-up before getting excited. |
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I had this week a chest x-ray for cough, congestion and such. One of the impressions by the radiologist was "mild patchy areas of pleural thickening. Follow up my be helpful to confirm stability." I was a municipal firefighter for 29 years. Simply, what are the odds that it is NOT mesothelioma? Follow-up has been scheduled, surely more might be forthcoming. No hx of TB, multiple infections, pneumothoracies etc. Eta: I know it is too early to be worried. It might have been a poor x-ray image. I'm sure I will insist on another. Odds are that it's nothing. I had an X-ray with the same result from the radiologist. The follow-up CT scan proved it to be nothing. |
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Wait for the follow-up before getting excited. Quoted:
Quoted:
I had this week a chest x-ray for cough, congestion and such. One of the impressions by the radiologist was "mild patchy areas of pleural thickening. Follow up my be helpful to confirm stability." I was a municipal firefighter for 29 years. Simply, what are the odds that it is NOT mesothelioma? Follow-up has been scheduled, surely more might be forthcoming. No hx of TB, multiple infections, pneumothoracies etc. Eta: I know it is too early to be worried. It might have been a poor x-ray image. I'm sure I will insist on another. Wait for the follow-up before getting excited. Do I look excited? My wife is (secretly) shitting her britches. The internet can be bad provider of info, I know that. At this point, I am awaiting follow ups. I simply wondered the odds if the initial reading is correct. I have not seen the x-ray image. Eta: Her dad died of meso. |
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Odds are that it's nothing. I had an X-ray with the same result from the radiologist. The follow-up CT scan proved it to be nothing. Quoted:
Quoted:
I had this week a chest x-ray for cough, congestion and such. One of the impressions by the radiologist was "mild patchy areas of pleural thickening. Follow up my be helpful to confirm stability." I was a municipal firefighter for 29 years. Simply, what are the odds that it is NOT mesothelioma? Follow-up has been scheduled, surely more might be forthcoming. No hx of TB, multiple infections, pneumothoracies etc. Eta: I know it is too early to be worried. It might have been a poor x-ray image. I'm sure I will insist on another. Odds are that it's nothing. I had an X-ray with the same result from the radiologist. The follow-up CT scan proved it to be nothing. Cool, thanks. |
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A follow up x-ray is a good idea. However, plain films are somewhat limited in what they can see. If there's still any question, they'll likely proceed with a CT scan, which has much better resolution. Areas of pleural thickening or scarring are very common, and most are not mesothelioma. A cough for a week is probably viral, allergies, asthma, or a touch of bronchitis. A cough persisting for many weeks or months, especially with other symptoms is more concerning. Unexplained weight loss, swollen glands in the neck and armpits, night sweats and progressive shortness of breath or impaired exercise tolerance would be more concerning. Now, remember that free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. So, be sure to follow up with your MD to develop the best follow up and management plan for your specific situation. |
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Quoted:
A follow up x-ray is a good idea. However, plain films are somewhat limited in what they can see. If there's still any question, they'll likely proceed with a CT scan, which has much better resolution. Areas of pleural thickening or scarring are very common, and most are not mesothelioma. A cough for a week is probably viral, allergies, asthma, or a touch of bronchitis. A cough persisting for many weeks or months, especially with other symptoms is more concerning. Unexplained weight loss, swollen glands in the neck and armpits, night sweats and progressive shortness of breath or impaired exercise tolerance would be more concerning. Now, remember that free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. So, be sure to follow up with your MD to develop the best follow up and management plan for your specific situation. Cool, thanks. |
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Well, CT scan shows no pleural thickening.
What it did show was bullous disease R lateral lung, according to the radiologist. I do believe the wife is relieved. Caused most likely, in my case, from inhalation of fiberglass, either firefighting/overhauling or installing whilst doing construction. Thanks to all for the good thoughts and prayers. To fellow firefighters: We used to peel our airpacks off as soon as we could. Keep yours on as long as necessary. I had no idea about this disease, but fiberglass is my only risk factor. Same for you construction folks: respirators. I'll follow up with my suggested treatment recommendations. Currently, I am having no problems from the "disease." Edit: Bullae are "blisters" filled with fluid or air. "Bulla" is the singular. Bulla is the medical name for blister. |
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Quoted: Well, CT scan shows no pleural thickening. What it did show was bullous disease R lateral lung, according to the radiologist. I do believe the wife is relieved. Caused most likely, in my case, from inhalation of fiberglass, either firefighting/overhauling or installing whilst doing construction. Thanks to all for the good thoughts and prayers. To fellow firefighters: We used to peel our airpacks off as soon as we could. Keep yours on as long as necessary. I had no idea about this disease, but fiberglass is my only risk factor. Same for you construction folks: respirators. I'll follow up with my suggested treatment recommendations. Currently, I am having no problems from the "disease." Edit: Bullae are "blisters" filled with fluid or air. "Bulla" is the singular. Bulla is the medical name for blister. I assume you're not a smoker. Smoking can lead to emphysema, which also leads to bullae and is a really bad combination. |
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I'm sure your doc mentioned this, but be aware that bullae can spontaneously rupture, causing a pneumonthorax (collapsed lung). If you someday develop unexplained, sudden shortness of breath and/or chest pain, go see a doctor and get a chest x-ray. I assume you're not a smoker. Smoking can lead to emphysema, which also leads to bullae and is a really bad combination. Quoted:
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Well, CT scan shows no pleural thickening. What it did show was bullous disease R lateral lung, according to the radiologist. I do believe the wife is relieved. Caused most likely, in my case, from inhalation of fiberglass, either firefighting/overhauling or installing whilst doing construction. Thanks to all for the good thoughts and prayers. To fellow firefighters: We used to peel our airpacks off as soon as we could. Keep yours on as long as necessary. I had no idea about this disease, but fiberglass is my only risk factor. Same for you construction folks: respirators. I'll follow up with my suggested treatment recommendations. Currently, I am having no problems from the "disease." Edit: Bullae are "blisters" filled with fluid or air. "Bulla" is the singular. Bulla is the medical name for blister. I assume you're not a smoker. Smoking can lead to emphysema, which also leads to bullae and is a really bad combination. Actually haven't been followed for the results, but I know how to read and I know some basic stuff, but thanks for the warning. I smoke a cigar now and then, but have never smoked a cig. Hence the fiberglass reference being my only risk factor. |
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"It's never lupus, unless it's lupus." Quoted:
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Lupus? Maybe, but I didn't see Dr. House in the clinic. It's always lupus. "It's never lupus, unless it's lupus." It's never lupus, it's always autoimmune....or a brain tumor.....what does the dd suggest? |
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My balls and my lungs are what worry me due to the fire fighting career path. I always have my pack on. I am only 30 so I had good practice drilled into me. My balls on the other hand, I have no control over. Problem is, fiberglass doesn't show on air monitors. Nor does asbestos. Also, I may have got this during a different job. |
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It's never lupus, it's always autoimmune....or a brain tumor.....what does the dd suggest? Quoted:
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Lupus? Maybe, but I didn't see Dr. House in the clinic. It's always lupus. "It's never lupus, unless it's lupus." It's never lupus, it's always autoimmune....or a brain tumor.....what does the dd suggest? Brain tumor is out! Been told I ain't got one! |