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Asthma: Why do I need a Chest CT Scan?

Posted by otter2154 @otter2154, Mar 31, 2021

Many of you have been quite helpful to me this far as I’ve struggled with an Asthma dx, and most recently clear, sticky, excess phlegm with limited cough. I spoke to my pulmonologist and now he has scheduled me for a CT scan (I wasn’t expecting this as a next step). Any thoughts on what he might be after (I’m getting concerned)? I’ve had two recent, clear chest x-rays, spirometry in normal ranges, oxygen levels are always good, and I’ve responded reasonably well to the asthma treatment (with this lingering and annoying phlegm issue being whats burdening me now). I suspect he may be chasing bronchiectasis, but who knows. My Pulmonologist is very reputable (I feel I am lucky to get him), he’s just low on words/explanation, yet high on action. I’d greatly appreciate anyone’s thoughts on the CT scan here. Regards.

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thomason | @thomason | Mar 31, 2021

Dear otter2154, No need to worry. Just wait and see what shows up. Hopefully, it won't be anything that can't be treated. Like my Pulmonologist, he gave me a CT looking close at my bronchial tubes. You can click on my posts to see what was found. Just remember, I have many issues going on at once... Post-Covid long-Hauler, Throat radiation for cancer, and an E-coli Lung infection...andthe newest gem, Emphysema--which came out of Covid nowhere.

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otter2154 | @otter2154 | Mar 31, 2021
In reply to @thomason "Dear otter2154, No need to worry. Just wait and see what shows up. Hopefully, it won't..." + (show)
@thomason

Dear otter2154, No need to worry. Just wait and see what shows up. Hopefully, it won't be anything that can't be treated. Like my Pulmonologist, he gave me a CT looking close at my bronchial tubes. You can click on my posts to see what was found. Just remember, I have many issues going on at once... Post-Covid long-Hauler, Throat radiation for cancer, and an E-coli Lung infection...andthe newest gem, Emphysema--which came out of Covid nowhere.

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Thanks for your thoughts. I read your posts and you have mine. Scheduled my CT for April 13th. We had planned to hunker-down at the beach next week (away from the world) and Pulmo said there was no reason not to go. So we are going. This is just weird and frustrating. Outside of the low volume “mystery phlegm”, I feel good; no more cough, SOB gone, energy level high ... I even rode my bike 13-miles on Sunday and walked 5 on Monday.

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thomason | @thomason | Mar 31, 2021

Dear otter2154, Have Fun!!! No Worries. We are all in this together. You sound fine!

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otter2154 | @otter2154 | Apr 14, 2021

Update: So I had my CT scan yesterday (it literally took 30 seconds and I didn’t even have to change clothes ... I was impressed by the technology). Pulmonologist and I reviewed the results in his office early this morning. Everything appears fine; the “mystery mucus” is coming solely from my right upper lobe. In that same lobe there are three “micro-nodules” all around 1mm. Pulmo says there is less than a 1 in 10,000 chance that they will ever become cancerous. No Bronchiectasis anywhere (this is what he was chasing). He is standing by his initial dx of persistent asthma, and noted that some asthmatics produce a lot of mucus (and that I may be one of them). Mucus could continue to reduce over time (we will wait and see). In interim, I will have to manage it as he says there is no silver bullet to stop excess mucus production.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Apr 15, 2021
In reply to @otter2154 "Update: So I had my CT scan yesterday (it literally took 30 seconds and I didn’t..." + (show)
@otter2154

Update: So I had my CT scan yesterday (it literally took 30 seconds and I didn’t even have to change clothes ... I was impressed by the technology). Pulmonologist and I reviewed the results in his office early this morning. Everything appears fine; the “mystery mucus” is coming solely from my right upper lobe. In that same lobe there are three “micro-nodules” all around 1mm. Pulmo says there is less than a 1 in 10,000 chance that they will ever become cancerous. No Bronchiectasis anywhere (this is what he was chasing). He is standing by his initial dx of persistent asthma, and noted that some asthmatics produce a lot of mucus (and that I may be one of them). Mucus could continue to reduce over time (we will wait and see). In interim, I will have to manage it as he says there is no silver bullet to stop excess mucus production.

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@otter2154- Good morning. Yes, mucus is tough to manage or reduce. Drinking lots of water helps to lessen its thickness (yikes I forgot the word for this, lol).

I have lung cancer and for the past 23 years, I have had CT scans probably a few thousand times. It's a terrific process. Preparations for it take longer than the actual scan!

@anonymous217382;@trixie1313 and @lorib53 have all had similar problems as you are having. You might want to read posts their posts about excessive mucus.

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