Severe health anxiety and large nodule/lesion

@asanchez8794 What a tough situation to be in! Not knowing is so hard - when did they do the CT, and are any further tests planned?

Typically, if the docs suspect cancer after imaging, they may do a biopsy (if the nodule is large enough, or a PET scan - has either one been suggested? Can you tell us a little about yourself and your health in general?

I don't like to be the one who says "I know a guy..." BUT just last month, one of my friends who had been told she had a lung infection was told by her infectious disease doc "those nodules in your lungs are metastatic cancer, not an infection." Needless to say, she was devastated. After conversations with a few friends, she called her primary doctor, who ordered more imaging and a bronchoscopy - she got the results on Monday - NO cancer - a lung infection.

So please, don't go down any "black holes" on the internet or elsewhere. Get in touch with your doctor and insist on follow-up testing. Lung cavities can have a number of causes, many treatable.

Hi! Thank you for replying. I do have asthma and live in central California where valley fever is a issue. Ive had mild covid about 4 times, in 2023 i had some sort of respiratory illness that my stubborn butt never went and got checked. The doctor at the hospital said to him it looks more like ive been breathing in something aggravating my lungs, but in my head i was like your not a pulmonolagist, you cant tell me from a scan alone. The follow up doctor i seen said the same as well but is sending me for a pet scan to be sure, he said if it lights up then we do a biopsy. If not then we recheck in a year which seems a little long to me. My brain is just having a hard time because i keep doom scrolling and come across nothing good, it seems like everything i see is people dying from cancer or in general and i already have ptsd with health ocd about dying.

I understand about doom scrolling. It definitely does not help but when trying to look for answers while waiting on Dr's and tests is not an easy path to escape. I send you big hugs. I have to be very mindful when I seem to be going down that path ... I pray a lot and ask for my mind to be cleared. Plus I know there's nothing good that comes from negative thinking. (Although at one time or another we all do it). I take deep breaths and tell myself I can't control or change whatever is concerning me right this second and ask for patience.
Are there follow up tests in the works? Are there any that can be done to get the answers you are seeking? Do you have a good relationship with your Dr's? Hopefully so so that you can talk with them about potential tests.
I'm considering some bio feedback therapy myself to hopefully help my brain to change my path of thinking and learn how to not overthink. The anxiety of every medical thought or decision is unhealthy for me and can make things worse as well.
What do you do for yourself to relax, be still and find calm and peace in your day? Again, big hugs 🤗

Ive seen a few things that says live right now, if theres one thing i can do is to be in this moment with my kids, which of course I try but the mind can be very powerful and overwhelming sometimes. My doctor i seen ordered a PET/CT scan to be safe, he said if it lights up we will biopsy, im just waiting for a call from the referral place. Thank you for replying it feels nice to have some positivity said and hope ❤️

I would definitely want to know what it is! A PET scan is a good start then go from there...Don't drop it until a physician and even 2nd opinion physician can put a name to it. Best of luck!

Yes PET scan, if it lights up i will get a biopsy, if not he said he wants to do another CT in a year but i feel like that's a little far, id prefer every 3-6 months