Pam.L Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Hello everyone, My name is Pam and I am new to this board. I have several medical problems right now and one that is really scaring me to death. I did not know where else to go!! I will tell you all a little about myself and then get to the point. I promise I will try to be brief.. I am 33, have 2 children and married for 15 years on the 15th of this month. I have had a total hysterectomy due to numerous female problems and now am faceing another surgery the 30th for recurring endomitriosis. After that I will have to have another surgery for bladder and bowel repair.. (Sorry guys, I know you can not relate to that one) I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 6 months ago and have been on meds to stabalize it. I also have DDD in my lower back and shoulder and 2 herniated discs in my lower back and am on the way to having epidural steroid injections. NOW IS THE SCARY ONE...... For the past month or so I have had problems with a cough and shortness of breath along with some chest pain that is more acheing that goes from the front of my chest behind my breast that radiated to my back. I have also been VERY fatigued and find myself wanting to sleep the day and night away. To answer a very important question, I have been a smoker for going on 18 years now. I have a family history of emphysemia and lung cancer. I was sent to the ER by way of ambulance for a possible blood clot after noticing my left ankle and calf were swollen and passing out that next morning. The ran several tests to check for a clot and did not find one. THey sent me home and told me I had bronchitis. I did get some disturbing test results that I tried to read myself and made things seem worse.I have not seem my regular Dr about the tesr results yet but am still having symptoms that she does not know about. I left a message today for her to call me to see if I can set up a PFT test and try and get an appt easlier than the one I have next Friday. The test that were ran were. PA & Lateral chest X-ray......... Cardiac silhouette is mildly enlarged, no focal consolidation, pulmonary edema or pnuemothorax. Venelation/Perfusion Scan.......... 2 large perfusion defects seen in posterior aspects of both lungs, unsure if due to artifact, recommend pulmonary angio. I was never given a pulmonary angio for some reason. I am on pain meds for the pelvic and back pain and I usually do not really notice the chest pain unless I do not keep my pain meds in me every 6 hours. I am very scared about what it is and fear lung cancer. I have never coughed up blood but do cough up phlem alot. I would really appreciate any help and support you can give, I do not know where else to turn!!! Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam'swifeShirley Posted April 3, 2003 Share Posted April 3, 2003 Hi Pam, I'm Sam the family practioner and former Emergency physician on the board. Maybe I can help. The chest pain symptoms that you discribe do not sound a lot like a pulmonary embolus (blood clot to the lungs), the leg symptoms do sound somwhat like Phlebitis. From what you say, the lung scan was not normal and a pulmonary angiogram was reccommended to be sure that you did not have a blood clot as the scan was not able to rule it out. I would have reccommended a CT scan with PE protocol instead of the angio but would have most likely done one or the other. There are good reasons that the docs you saw may have chosen not to do more tests and or course they know a lot more than me. You'r right to talk to your primary ASAP. Go back to the ER if you get very short of breath or get very bac pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam.L Posted April 4, 2003 Author Share Posted April 4, 2003 Thanks so much Sam.. I guess I should have mentioned that they also did an ultrasound of my ankle and leg and found no clot. They also did a CT Pulmonary arteriorgram and the report stated no evidence of PE but fatty infiltration of liver. I am just so confused and have had SOOO many medical problems the past few years it almost cost me my marriage. After the possible blot clot scare my husband saw the BIG picture. I just wish I knew what the perfusion defects were and why I feel like this.. Thanks for caring enough to help me through this!!!!!!!! HUGS, Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam.L Posted April 4, 2003 Author Share Posted April 4, 2003 Sam, I just noticed that angiogram and arteriorgram look very similar, what is the difference in the 2 tests? Thanks, Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam'swifeShirley Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 They are the same. It sounds like they did a pretty good job of ruling out a blood clot after all. Also it doesn't sound anything like lung cancer but I can't guess what the perfusion defects on the lung scan were. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyd Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Dear Pam, I have no advice - just a concerned person. Wow, I can't believe all the medicals problems you have. How do you keep up your spirits? Please know that there are many people here who read your posts. They will all add you to their prayer list. Also, if any of them have any info they will surely post it for you. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam.L Posted April 4, 2003 Author Share Posted April 4, 2003 Thank you Ginny.. Actually my spirit is somewhat broken right now. I was diagnosed with EVERYTHING I listed all within a month. I am very overwhelmed and now the chest pain and breathing trouble. I see a phychiatrist and a therapist and I think that and these message boards are ALL that help me get through it all. Some days I could care less if I live or die, I have a very negative attitude, I know. I just have SOO much going on that I think somethimes it would be better for everyone if I were not here so they could go on with their lives and not have to worry about me. I feel like a HUGE burdon. I just want to be able to do things with my kids and husband and right now all I can do is lay around. When I do go out, just to the grocery store or the mall, I come home and feel like just the smallest amount of activity takes everything out of me. With my back problems I can not even mop the floor or vaccum without feeling like someone just stabbed me in the back. Even after having a hysterectomy 2 years ago, now I feel like I did before I even had it. It hurts so bad you would think I still had my female organs in there. At least when I had the pain before the hyst I knew what was causing the pain, now I curl up in a ball and cry as I did when I had all of the presurgery symptoms. I feel like a hypochondriac and I know that there are some people I know that thinks so too. I almost lost my husband and Iam sure my poor kids are sick of seeing me laying on the couch everyday they get home from school. Ok, I have vented for the week, sorry to sound so negative, I just can not think of ANYTHING positive yet. HUGS to all and any prayers are appreciated!!! Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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