hi,
I’m still in shock and due to today, awake and googling.... hence how I “landed” here.
I had a lung CT scan per my NP suggestion as I used to smoke and she suggests them for her patients who either currently smoke or previously did. I almost didn’t do the scan because I thought I may be wasting money. I considered myself a “social” smoker .... and never did more than a few a day during the years I did smoke. But... after a few decades of socially doing that.... well. That’s a smoker. Ha!
I quit completely when I also stopped drinking, 2 years ago. (Drinks creates desire for a smoke, don’t you know?)
Anyway.... all the things I worried about were great on my scan. What I NEVER even considered would show up is “emphysema”. But. It did. I have a referral to see a pulmonologist for further testing and actions.
In hindsight... this explains why I’ve been short of breath after running up my stairs sometimes (I blamed it on my sedentary job and weight...I mean, made sense) and I’ve also had a harder time getting over an upper resp cold I had a few months ago. (Again, easily explainable since my family also had it longer than usual, too!)
My questions... should I be concerned it didn’t say “mild” in my results? I know my NP told me today on the phone if it was severe it would have said “severe” ... I didn’t think to ask would it say “mild” if mild?
Is there anyway CT scans may say “emphysema” but it’s not what the pulmonologist finds? Like, he could see my scan and say it’s, say, asthma? (Don’t laugh... I’m new to this entire thing!)
I’m 47. Should I be as terrified as I am? *wiping tears for the 109th time off face and unable to sleep*
thanks in advance!