I am hoping to find some advice as I just found this board. I recently went to my doctor for Pleurisy and they did a chest x-ray. It showed a possible abnormality, so they did a CT scan of my chest. The original "abnormality" turned out to be nothing, but it showed Mild Emphysema.
I am so confused and upset as I quit Quitting smoking 10 years ago, live a very healthy lifestyle. I walk 3 miles every day and with the exception of chronic Pleurisy, I have no symptoms of this disease.
I just went to a Pulmonologist and I am waiting to get Lung Function Tests done. He looked at the scan and said it looked like the start of Emphysema. He also did a blood test for a possible genetic link and told me I am doing everything I should be as far as lifestyle. I am not overweight, I am actually thin and work out.
I googled this disease and now I am so scared. I am only 42, and from what I have read it seems it is going to shorten my life. Some sites say 5 years, some say it can be weeks(!!), is that true?!
Also, I had pleurisy last summer and they did a CT scan of my lungs then and it was normal..so how did I get it that quick? Is that possible?
Any advice would so be appreciated..I am so scared.
Thank you.