chest x-ray. Confused

[bosnianworrier]

Hi

I took a chest x-ray yesterday and due to my anxiety I couldn't wait for the result so i went to the doctors office to see the result. It says heart is normal.

then it says "Minimal irregular density is seen in the retrosternal area on the lateral view that may represent areas of scarring or atelectasis". "There is no pleural effusion identified" SUMMARY "No evidence of pneumonic consolidation"

Now the doctor says there is nothing to worry about and he calls this result a 100% normal. He thinks that I probably didn't take deep enough breath.

But what worries me is what the radiologist wrote that the irregular density may represent scarring. (Pulmonary Fibrosis).

I do have shortness of breath but it could be because i can't breathe through my nose for 4 years now and even after nose surgery it hasn't improved. when I get scared like this then I really have trouble breathing. I also have mild difficulty swallowing. H had these problems for a number of years and it is thought that my severe General Anxiety Disorder is causing it.

What do you think of radiologist's report doctor?

[Butterbean556]

I think you need a CAT scan to rule out Pulmonary Fibrosis, a CAT scan will show a much better picture of than any Xray. Is your doctor a Pulmonologist? If not, make an appointment with one. Try to find one who is a Specialist with PF, a University Hospital is a good place to start. I had a regular Pulmo first and I lost more lung capacity by scarring being treated by him. Perhaps it is the anxiety, but lung function is nothing to fool around with. So, I say check it out.
Good Luck.

[oldrnwisr]

I think you should go with what your dr. says. If he had seen anything serious he would have told you and started treatment. If you don't trust him, then you should find another dr. Unless you have a medical degree yourself, you have to accept what they tell you. And don't worry so much. Worry can cause physical symptoms on its own.