Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Tabbycat on October 01, 2014, 07:26:39 PM
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I'll try and be brief!
I've had a dry, tickly cough for over three months now, it's keeping me awake at night and is a real pain, so a few weeks ago I saw my GP about it.
She said it was probably caused by post-nasal drip and gave me antihistamines and a nasal spray - and also a form for a chest x-ray "in case it didn't clear up".
Of course, it didn't clear up so last week I had the x-ray. Didn't think any more of it till today when my GP phoned me to say they'd noticed some calcification in my breastbone and I needed to have another x-ray.
Thing is, when I got the phone call I went into uber panic mode - heart racing, ears ringing - so I can't remember if she said it was definitely or probably calcification. She was adamant that it didn't mean anything sinister - but if that's the case then why do I need another x-ray?
I'm in a bit of a state now - and it doesn't help that my OH is away till Sunday so I'm on my own, which always makes things worse. Trying not to worry but feel a huge weight hanging over me now.
Has anyone had experience of this? (The chest stuff, not the heavy weight - I know that's pretty common during the meno!)
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Ring the Surgery in the morning and ask for a call back so that you can voice your worries? Calcification can be in indication of how much we are absorbing/not …………
I had a very non productive cough for months so took high dosage magnesium - if you do a 'search' you should find details of how much to take and for how long - magnesium can relax the coughing reflex ;)
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Ah, that's very useful CLKD, thanks.
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So have a word with your GP 2-morrow or the X-ray Dept at the Hospital where the film is stored: - then if the cough persists, discuss the magnesium idea?
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I'll look into the magnesium but it'll have to wait till the weekend cos there's nowhere near where I work that I could get it (I'm presuming I'd have to get it from a health food shop).
Not sure about phoning the surgery - what do I say? That I'm worried even though she told me not to be?
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Yes - what I do is go back to the GP and start by saying something along the lines of "I must have been in a dream last time, could you remind me ……. explain to me ………. reassure me ……. " :-\
Don't take the magnesium until any investigations are over and you get the all clear in case it alters the condition ;)
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Its hard not to panic but they are just covering all corners here and as she said its nothing sinister :)
HUGGGGGGGGGGS xx
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I had a persistent cough for months. Hubby, one day had heard enough of me coughing & spluttering, basically through phone at me & told me to phone doctor. I did. Sent for xray, which was clear. Mine is mainly caused by asthma. Some days it's fine, others not so. I knew that was the problem, but hubby didn't agree. Doctor also reckoned touch of PND. However, apparently persistent coughs can be caused by excess stomach acids, but that's only the case if they only happen when lying down, which mine weren't.
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Hello Tabbycat.
Earlier this year I had a cough for months which was getting worse and I was bringing up all sorts (sorry if tmi). I finally went to the GP who diagnosed an infection and prescribed antibiotics which did work but took a while. At the appointment he said that NHS guidelines insist on a chest x-ray for persistent cough and most of the time it is unnecessary. Your calcification may be completely unrelated to your cough and is probably something harmless that you've had for years but they want to get a better image.
Take care and try not to worry ( I know, I know ).
Best wishes.
K.
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Thanks everyone - all your posts really help.
Oddly enough, I was feeling so low yesterday evening that I had a couple of glasses of red wine - sure enough in the middle of the night I woke up with a headache. All I had at home was some paracetamol+codeine tablets, which I don't really like cos usually codeine makes me spacey - however, it's also a cough suppressant so it stopped me coughing last night, and today I've only had one coughing episode, so I feel loads better. And far less worried.
I've been feeling so good the last few days - my temporary contract work is ending next week - and I can't wait to leave! - and the following week I'm going abroad on holiday for the first time in about six years (to hell with my fear of flying!) and now this is dumped on me!
Calcification? Am I so old that I'm turning into a fossil? ;D
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You go enjoy that holiday! Sounds like you need it.
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Enjoy the holiday - fossils are precious ;)
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Hi Tabbycat :) how did your X-rays go? I have the same thing and I will have my second X-rays next Monday
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Hi Nata
Not had the second x-ray yet, still waiting for the appointment. But I saw my GP yesterday and she assured me there was nothing to worry about and that the hospital was just being cautious in asking for it.
She's now given me an inhaler for the cough, says it will help the inflammation but I haven't used it yet. I'm a lot better, not coughing nearly as much.
Good luck for Monday, let us know how it goes.
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How did it go Nata?
I had my second x-ray yesterday too, don't think I'll get the results for a week or so.
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Hi Tabbycat :) :)
It went pretty well. The radiologist spoke with me about 10 min after the X-rays. She said it was nothing to worry about, just the group of micro-cysts which is not unusual. I am sure you will get good news as well. Let me know, please
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That's great news, Nata - bet you're relieved!
I won't get my results for a while as I'm off on holiday tomorrow. I'm not going to think about it though.
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:o
Got back from holiday yesterday and today I got a letter from my GP asking me to make an appointment. Now I'm getting a bit scared.
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Why? Were you told that your GP would see you after investigations?
How was your holiday?
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Wasn't told anything at my last GP appointment - apart from not to worry and that the second x-ray was just a precaution. I was going to phone them today to find out the results but then I got the letter. This is just fuel for my anxiety!
Holiday was lovely, thanks - apart from starting a heavy bleed the night before going away. :cuss:
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Perhaps they tried to phone but as you were away :-\ ………. hence the letter?
Did the bleed stop?
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Possibly. I called to make an appointment and said I was worried so she said the doctor would phone me later. But later the practice phoned and said the doctor had been called out on two emergencies and they didn't know when she would be back so my call is now going to be Monday.
Annoyingly, the bleed lasted for five days of my seven-day holiday. >:(
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Very annoying! At least you will be able to speak with someone sooner rather than later ;)
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Hi Tabbycat :)
I live in U.S. And the usual rule is that if there is something serious they make a call otherwise they send a mail...
It is unfortunate that you have to go through the entire weekend worrying, but try to keep yourself busy for these two days and not to think about it
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Thanks Nata.
Someone did call me on my mobile when I was on holiday but I didn't answer it in time and they didn't leave a message.
I'm SO sick of worrying about stuff...
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Doctor phoned (two hours later than I was told it would be!) and said I was fine, and that the only thing the x-ray showed was some "air damage" where some of the sacs which fill with air are "over inflated". I'm not sure I totally understand it, but she said it could be a precursor to emphysema (sp?).
She said this was early smoking damage and not dangerous in itself but obviously an ideal time to quit smoking!
I've pretty much given up anyway. Since I've been coughing, my throat and chest have been sore so I haven't wanted to smoke. I had quite a few on holiday (for me, "quite a few" is five or six a day) but I always do when I'm away. Since I've been back, I've not wanted one.
GP is going to give me a prescription for some anti-reflux medication, since this seems to be the next thing to try to get rid of the cough.