COPD based upon chest x-ray?????

[sodium]

My pulmonologist just told me that I do not have COPD or any lung diseases.  His diagnosis was based upon my history and recent hospital pulmonary funcation tests and a chest x-ray.  Went to him because it sometimes feels as if I cannot get enough air into my lungs.  I do have a bird, however, and know that I am highly allertic to cats but do not own a cat or any other animals.  Sometimes I can hear myself weeze faintly.  

My pulmonary function test results showed over 100% for each.  What concerns me, however, is that the reader (radiologist?) of my chest x-ray made a notation of "COPD" on the findings!  My doctor told me that represented too much air in one of my lungs I think.  But based upon the PFT's - that I do not have COPD.  

My dad has it and my Nana had COPD too.  The emphesema type!  I smoked for about 5 years myself some 26 years ago but have not smoked since - have not smoked in 26 years.  Forgot to tell my doc, however, that I grew up witth smokers.  

Should I be concerned that I might actually have COPD due to the chest x-ray results.  I am so scared now.  Should I go back to my doctor and have him send me for the HRCT scan?  Terrified now.  

Please help with some advice!  Thank you!

[jenniwrenne]

An ordinary chest x-ray will not detect COPD. It needs a CT scan. However, if you had the full range of Pulmonary Function Tests on the computer at the hospital, which found no evidence of air trapping in your lungs, then you do not have COPD.

[beau194]

   I agree with aheart. I went through a program at the University of Cincinnati some years back. I performed many pulmonary function tests. They are used to determine COPD along with patient symptoms, history and other test results. An x-ray tech is not trained to read the x-rays they take...only to take them correctly so that the x-ray can be read by a physician.

[aheart]

In a word, no! Don't ever listen to an ex-ray tech over a pulmonologist. If he said you don't have copd than you don't! Stop worrying