Hi
I’m just wondering if there’s anyone who has had this experience or who knows anything about chest x-rays.
I’ve had a cough now for 5 months, a silly dry cough. I went to see my GP who immediately sent me for a chest x-ray.
I had an x-ray yesterday afternoon. Clothes off, gown on, stood in front of a white board, put my chin on the vertical line, placed my hands behind my lower back as instructed, rolled my shoulders forward and took a breath and held it until I was told to breathe out. I mention all this because I’m not sure what the procedure of taking a ‘normal’ chest x-ray is.
Anyway I waited outside while they made sure it was OK and then was told they had to do it again. But the second time the whole thing was completely different. A plate was hooked on to the white board and I was told to rest my chin on top of it, no hands behind back, no breathing in!! I can’t see how that was doing it again, it seemed like a completely different x-ray to me.
Anyway I’m panicking now. If there’s anyone who has had a similar experience and can tell me why the two were so different I would be so grateful.
Thank you
Jan xxx
Hi Jan
Are you on Tamoxifen? If it’s any help, when I was on Tamoxifen I had recurrent chest infections. I found it’s a side effect from being on it.
Hope that helps
Jen x
Thank for your reply Jen. I’m on Exemestane (Aromasin) use to be on Tamox though.
I just wondered if anyone had had a chest x-ray with the strange plate in front of them and if they had, what it was for. I’m imagining all sorts of things now as you can imagine.
I’ll just have to play the waiting game again like we all do.
Take care
Love Jan xx
Hi Jan. I have had a few chest x rays, firstly prior to my Mx and then when I was admitted due to an infection whilst having my chemo.
The first time it was just a straightforward xray, however the second time they did the xray in the normal way and asked me to wait outside. She then called me back in and said the xray wasn’t right and she needed to re do it. Again like you it was a different process the 2nd time. I didnt ask at the time why - I was just in a panic about whether they had ‘found’ something. In any case the results of both xrays were clear. Hope that reassures you. x
I had to have x-rays before my surgery because of a lung problem I had many years ago. On both occasions they did one x-ray, took the plate out and told me to wait. They then came back and said that’s fine you can get dressed now. I just assumed that if it wasn’t a clear picture then you have to get it done again.
Not sure what the reason for the different way of doing your two was though. I had one done and another on a different day because they wanted to see a side on view as well as a back to front one.
Not sure if this helps or not.
Hi
Thanks so much for your replies. That’s exactly what I’m worried about saffronseed. I’ve coonvinced myself that something has shown up on the first x-ray and they used the plate to get a better or bigger image. The plate on the second x-ray was only at the top of my chest.
I’m going to drive myself mad with this aren’t I? I’ll have to give myself a good talking to. If there is anything there I think the hospital would ring and bypass the GP. They did ask for the name of my consultant and it did say ‘ca breast’ on my x-ray request form so I don’t think they’ll mess about. If I haven’t heard by Wednesday I think it’s OK. Doesn’t stop me worrying though.
Love to you all, thanks for your help. What would we do without each other on here. I’d no one else to ask.
J xx