I'm overreacting probably. . . . - Lung & Respiratory Disorders / COPD Message Board

_mystictiger_ · 06-13-2006, 05:59 PM

Hi everyone.

I am a bit concerned about something. Just over a week ago I was unconscious and was admitted to hospital. I went into cardiac arrest but I'm fine now thankfully. But while I was unconscious the doctor did some chest Xrays. He showed me the Xrays and said it shows I've had recent pnuemonia but because I am not wheezing and I only had a slight wheeze when he listened to my chest, that I have got over it. But the thing that is really bothering me is this - also on the Xray half of my lung was a black colour. I cant explain it clearly but you know on the lung Xray where the lung is a white/greyish colour? Well I had that but half of my lung was black on the side closest to my heart and this freaked me out. I asked the doctor about it and he said hes not concerned with that now because hes busy getting me better but to speak to my GP next week.

I haven't been to my GP yet because I cant get a appointment. But I have been having episodes of gasping for breath, very bad dizzy spells and sharp chest pain. I did put this down to my Asthma but now Im not so sure. My dad had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and so did my granddad and there is a long history of lung problems and heart problems in my family.

Im sorry if this sounds like Im paranoid but Im just very concerned. I dont want to end up like my dad and suffer like he did. What does the black shadow on the Xray sound like? I did see a old Xray of my lungs and it was completely normal but this one was scary. There was scartches/scarring on my lung too. Im 20 and do smoke but I'm quitting slowly but surely. Does this sound like chronic obstructive pulmonry disease or a lung condition? I really dont think the shadow was due to the old pnuemonia and the shadow itself was pretty big on half of my lung.

Im sorry for all the questions but I really need to know. Thank you.

Lutheran122 · 06-14-2006, 03:58 AM

I am sorry to hear of your recent problems and hospital stay. If it was something REAL SERIOUS you would have recieved immediate care in the hospital for it or at the very least the hospital would have provided a better explanation and probably would have had your doctor come to the hospital ( you said you were admitted so I assume you were there a few days at the least ). Anyway do a google search on what you seen on that chest xray but please do yourself the biggest favor...STOP SMOKING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Your killing yourself for no reason , get the patch or whatever you have to do to stop this NOW. Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health , the benefits are IMMEDIATE. The risk of lung cancer and heart disease drops DRAMATICLY within the first month or 2 of quitting. Your too young to be playing with your health , and you already see what it did to your dad. Do your body a favor and stop this as soon as possible , you won't regret it. And good luck to you , I wish you all the best.

marissamm · 06-14-2006, 06:36 AM

you do need to quit smoking, ask to see a pulmonary speacialist to find out whats going on, and tell your gp, that you had a cardiac arrest and was in the hospital and you need to see your dr. asap. good luck

_mystictiger_ · 06-14-2006, 06:48 PM

Hi everyone.

Thank you both for your replies. I was in the hospital because I had trouble with my blood sugar and went into a coma. It caused me to have a cardiac arrest. I was only kept in hospital for 24hours as they chuck us out here.

I thought the doctors would say something if it was serious too but they never said anything to my dad before he was diagnosed and when it showed up on his Xray. I did speak to a friend of my family who is a retired nurse and she said the doctors at the hospital down here wont investigate another problem apart from the one you came to hospital for and only when your showing symptoms. I think their a bunch of quacks down here. Lol.

My dad never smoked.

I will definitely stop smoking and I will see my GP about the shadow on my Xray. Thank you again. X