Silicosis

[tx1980]

I was wondering if it possible to make your self believe you ahve silicosis.i have sandblasted parts for years and have had chest pains,fatigue,shortness of breath,night sweats.I have had clear ct,x rays,bronscopy but still have symptoms.

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

It would be very unlikely for you to have silicosis with a normal chest X-ray and CT Scan of the lungs, although it sounds as if you have had ample exposure.  It is possible for a person to become very anxious, worrying about a potential disease, especially since you’ve had exposure to a substance that can, over many years, cause significant lung disease.  

The fever is worrisome and could be associated with diseases other than silicosis that could also cause chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath.  Pulmonary function tests could be informative as they could demonstrate changes in lung function that, in a number of lung diseases, can occur prior to X-ray or CT changes.  

My other thought is that if weeks or months have passed since the onset of symptoms and since the  Chest X-ray and CT were performed, it might be advisable to repeat one or both at some point, especially if the lung function test reveals any evidence of abnormal lung function.

If you have not seen a lung specialist (pulmonologist), please seek one with training in Pulmonary Disease and Environmental  Lung Disease.

Good luck

[tx1980]

i am going to see a pulmonologist next week at Baylor Dallas.You  advice has bee very helpful to me.Randy