Chest X-rays

C

chattyfamily

New member
Hi! Porter had a chest xray 2 weeks ago and it showed either the start of pneumonia or atelectasis. He was put on Augmenten and just finished on Monday. Two days ago, he starts back up with a really wet cough and runny nose. Yesterday he did a repeat chest xray and it came out "clear." What does that mean? As of right now, we are going to wait out these current symptoms because I guess it could be a virus, but come on! less than a week of feeling good and then boom, runny nose and cough. This has seemed to be his MO, a course of anti's, a week of feeling good, then back with the symptoms. I guess my main question is that is the chest xray is clear, do we have nothing to worry about? Thanks!
 
C

chattyfamily

New member
Hi! Porter had a chest xray 2 weeks ago and it showed either the start of pneumonia or atelectasis. He was put on Augmenten and just finished on Monday. Two days ago, he starts back up with a really wet cough and runny nose. Yesterday he did a repeat chest xray and it came out "clear." What does that mean? As of right now, we are going to wait out these current symptoms because I guess it could be a virus, but come on! less than a week of feeling good and then boom, runny nose and cough. This has seemed to be his MO, a course of anti's, a week of feeling good, then back with the symptoms. I guess my main question is that is the chest xray is clear, do we have nothing to worry about? Thanks!
 
C

chattyfamily

New member
Hi! Porter had a chest xray 2 weeks ago and it showed either the start of pneumonia or atelectasis. He was put on Augmenten and just finished on Monday. Two days ago, he starts back up with a really wet cough and runny nose. Yesterday he did a repeat chest xray and it came out "clear." What does that mean? As of right now, we are going to wait out these current symptoms because I guess it could be a virus, but come on! less than a week of feeling good and then boom, runny nose and cough. This has seemed to be his MO, a course of anti's, a week of feeling good, then back with the symptoms. I guess my main question is that is the chest xray is clear, do we have nothing to worry about? Thanks!
 
C

chattyfamily

New member
Hi! Porter had a chest xray 2 weeks ago and it showed either the start of pneumonia or atelectasis. He was put on Augmenten and just finished on Monday. Two days ago, he starts back up with a really wet cough and runny nose. Yesterday he did a repeat chest xray and it came out "clear." What does that mean? As of right now, we are going to wait out these current symptoms because I guess it could be a virus, but come on! less than a week of feeling good and then boom, runny nose and cough. This has seemed to be his MO, a course of anti's, a week of feeling good, then back with the symptoms. I guess my main question is that is the chest xray is clear, do we have nothing to worry about? Thanks!
 
C

chattyfamily

New member
Hi! Porter had a chest xray 2 weeks ago and it showed either the start of pneumonia or atelectasis. He was put on Augmenten and just finished on Monday. Two days ago, he starts back up with a really wet cough and runny nose. Yesterday he did a repeat chest xray and it came out "clear." What does that mean? As of right now, we are going to wait out these current symptoms because I guess it could be a virus, but come on! less than a week of feeling good and then boom, runny nose and cough. This has seemed to be his MO, a course of anti's, a week of feeling good, then back with the symptoms. I guess my main question is that is the chest xray is clear, do we have nothing to worry about? Thanks!
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
Melissa,

I am going to say that a clear x-ray is a good sign<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> My younger daughter has always had clear x-rays, and that makes me a happy mom! She too used to get sick a lot-one right after another when she was very young. All those runny noses do make our little ones cough. The trick is to catch it soon so it doesn't end up in the chest. Maybe up his CPT. That can help keep it out of the lungs. And maybe he has caught another bug, even with just finishing up antibiotics. I think that the fact he has a runny nose means it could be just a cold.

My older daughter doesn't have clear x-rays, even when well. Her results do read moderate actelctasis in the right upper lobe. At one time it said possible pneumonia when she was very sick. But, it doesn't go away when there are no symptoms such as an increase in cough, so pneumonia was ruled out. This was confirmed with a CT scan.

Both of my girls were just at clinic, and I swear that very night they both started catching a cold! Now, poor Hannah has a full blown runny nose and cough going on. I have not asked for an oral antibiotic, I am just waiting a few more days to see if it is viral. She has to begin Tobi tonight, as well as Cipro (or placebo because of being in the EPIC study) for her latest PA positive culture results. I just don't want to add another antibiotic to the mix if not needed!

I would just call his doctor and let him know that his symptoms. It never hurts to check in with the doctor.
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
Melissa,

I am going to say that a clear x-ray is a good sign<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> My younger daughter has always had clear x-rays, and that makes me a happy mom! She too used to get sick a lot-one right after another when she was very young. All those runny noses do make our little ones cough. The trick is to catch it soon so it doesn't end up in the chest. Maybe up his CPT. That can help keep it out of the lungs. And maybe he has caught another bug, even with just finishing up antibiotics. I think that the fact he has a runny nose means it could be just a cold.

My older daughter doesn't have clear x-rays, even when well. Her results do read moderate actelctasis in the right upper lobe. At one time it said possible pneumonia when she was very sick. But, it doesn't go away when there are no symptoms such as an increase in cough, so pneumonia was ruled out. This was confirmed with a CT scan.

Both of my girls were just at clinic, and I swear that very night they both started catching a cold! Now, poor Hannah has a full blown runny nose and cough going on. I have not asked for an oral antibiotic, I am just waiting a few more days to see if it is viral. She has to begin Tobi tonight, as well as Cipro (or placebo because of being in the EPIC study) for her latest PA positive culture results. I just don't want to add another antibiotic to the mix if not needed!

I would just call his doctor and let him know that his symptoms. It never hurts to check in with the doctor.
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
Melissa,

I am going to say that a clear x-ray is a good sign<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> My younger daughter has always had clear x-rays, and that makes me a happy mom! She too used to get sick a lot-one right after another when she was very young. All those runny noses do make our little ones cough. The trick is to catch it soon so it doesn't end up in the chest. Maybe up his CPT. That can help keep it out of the lungs. And maybe he has caught another bug, even with just finishing up antibiotics. I think that the fact he has a runny nose means it could be just a cold.

My older daughter doesn't have clear x-rays, even when well. Her results do read moderate actelctasis in the right upper lobe. At one time it said possible pneumonia when she was very sick. But, it doesn't go away when there are no symptoms such as an increase in cough, so pneumonia was ruled out. This was confirmed with a CT scan.

Both of my girls were just at clinic, and I swear that very night they both started catching a cold! Now, poor Hannah has a full blown runny nose and cough going on. I have not asked for an oral antibiotic, I am just waiting a few more days to see if it is viral. She has to begin Tobi tonight, as well as Cipro (or placebo because of being in the EPIC study) for her latest PA positive culture results. I just don't want to add another antibiotic to the mix if not needed!

I would just call his doctor and let him know that his symptoms. It never hurts to check in with the doctor.
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
Melissa,

I am going to say that a clear x-ray is a good sign<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> My younger daughter has always had clear x-rays, and that makes me a happy mom! She too used to get sick a lot-one right after another when she was very young. All those runny noses do make our little ones cough. The trick is to catch it soon so it doesn't end up in the chest. Maybe up his CPT. That can help keep it out of the lungs. And maybe he has caught another bug, even with just finishing up antibiotics. I think that the fact he has a runny nose means it could be just a cold.

My older daughter doesn't have clear x-rays, even when well. Her results do read moderate actelctasis in the right upper lobe. At one time it said possible pneumonia when she was very sick. But, it doesn't go away when there are no symptoms such as an increase in cough, so pneumonia was ruled out. This was confirmed with a CT scan.

Both of my girls were just at clinic, and I swear that very night they both started catching a cold! Now, poor Hannah has a full blown runny nose and cough going on. I have not asked for an oral antibiotic, I am just waiting a few more days to see if it is viral. She has to begin Tobi tonight, as well as Cipro (or placebo because of being in the EPIC study) for her latest PA positive culture results. I just don't want to add another antibiotic to the mix if not needed!

I would just call his doctor and let him know that his symptoms. It never hurts to check in with the doctor.
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
Melissa,

I am going to say that a clear x-ray is a good sign<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> My younger daughter has always had clear x-rays, and that makes me a happy mom! She too used to get sick a lot-one right after another when she was very young. All those runny noses do make our little ones cough. The trick is to catch it soon so it doesn't end up in the chest. Maybe up his CPT. That can help keep it out of the lungs. And maybe he has caught another bug, even with just finishing up antibiotics. I think that the fact he has a runny nose means it could be just a cold.

My older daughter doesn't have clear x-rays, even when well. Her results do read moderate actelctasis in the right upper lobe. At one time it said possible pneumonia when she was very sick. But, it doesn't go away when there are no symptoms such as an increase in cough, so pneumonia was ruled out. This was confirmed with a CT scan.

Both of my girls were just at clinic, and I swear that very night they both started catching a cold! Now, poor Hannah has a full blown runny nose and cough going on. I have not asked for an oral antibiotic, I am just waiting a few more days to see if it is viral. She has to begin Tobi tonight, as well as Cipro (or placebo because of being in the EPIC study) for her latest PA positive culture results. I just don't want to add another antibiotic to the mix if not needed!

I would just call his doctor and let him know that his symptoms. It never hurts to check in with the doctor.
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Hi melissa,

I normally don't venture over here, but felt like checking it out...
As my signature indicates, I'm a CF Patient, not a doctor.
However, from your description, and my personal experience, I'm sure the doctor did more than just an X-ray. I would think a throat culture and possibly even blood-work would have been involved.
X-rays normally would show heavy conjestion in the lungs, which would indicate infection starting. When mucous doesn't move out of the lungs, it stays, and allows the bacteria (most often Pseudomonas) to grow, which is one of our biggest problems.
The X-rays would pick up the blockage fairly well.
Because the mucous doesn't exit out our bodies, it's easy for other bugs, like ones that would start a cold, to easily culture. As far as "clear X-rays", it would be "ok", but the runny nose and cough may suggest something else. Allergies could even be a possible cause. especially if it's a dry cough, and the nose is running only water-like substances. Other than keeping up on your son's routine for treatment and following the doctor's orders, I can't think of much else to suggest. Though, when I have those symptoms, I gargle with salt water, but I suppose your son is way too young for that...hope he feels better.
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Hi melissa,

I normally don't venture over here, but felt like checking it out...
As my signature indicates, I'm a CF Patient, not a doctor.
However, from your description, and my personal experience, I'm sure the doctor did more than just an X-ray. I would think a throat culture and possibly even blood-work would have been involved.
X-rays normally would show heavy conjestion in the lungs, which would indicate infection starting. When mucous doesn't move out of the lungs, it stays, and allows the bacteria (most often Pseudomonas) to grow, which is one of our biggest problems.
The X-rays would pick up the blockage fairly well.
Because the mucous doesn't exit out our bodies, it's easy for other bugs, like ones that would start a cold, to easily culture. As far as "clear X-rays", it would be "ok", but the runny nose and cough may suggest something else. Allergies could even be a possible cause. especially if it's a dry cough, and the nose is running only water-like substances. Other than keeping up on your son's routine for treatment and following the doctor's orders, I can't think of much else to suggest. Though, when I have those symptoms, I gargle with salt water, but I suppose your son is way too young for that...hope he feels better.
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Hi melissa,

I normally don't venture over here, but felt like checking it out...
As my signature indicates, I'm a CF Patient, not a doctor.
However, from your description, and my personal experience, I'm sure the doctor did more than just an X-ray. I would think a throat culture and possibly even blood-work would have been involved.
X-rays normally would show heavy conjestion in the lungs, which would indicate infection starting. When mucous doesn't move out of the lungs, it stays, and allows the bacteria (most often Pseudomonas) to grow, which is one of our biggest problems.
The X-rays would pick up the blockage fairly well.
Because the mucous doesn't exit out our bodies, it's easy for other bugs, like ones that would start a cold, to easily culture. As far as "clear X-rays", it would be "ok", but the runny nose and cough may suggest something else. Allergies could even be a possible cause. especially if it's a dry cough, and the nose is running only water-like substances. Other than keeping up on your son's routine for treatment and following the doctor's orders, I can't think of much else to suggest. Though, when I have those symptoms, I gargle with salt water, but I suppose your son is way too young for that...hope he feels better.
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Hi melissa,

I normally don't venture over here, but felt like checking it out...
As my signature indicates, I'm a CF Patient, not a doctor.
However, from your description, and my personal experience, I'm sure the doctor did more than just an X-ray. I would think a throat culture and possibly even blood-work would have been involved.
X-rays normally would show heavy conjestion in the lungs, which would indicate infection starting. When mucous doesn't move out of the lungs, it stays, and allows the bacteria (most often Pseudomonas) to grow, which is one of our biggest problems.
The X-rays would pick up the blockage fairly well.
Because the mucous doesn't exit out our bodies, it's easy for other bugs, like ones that would start a cold, to easily culture. As far as "clear X-rays", it would be "ok", but the runny nose and cough may suggest something else. Allergies could even be a possible cause. especially if it's a dry cough, and the nose is running only water-like substances. Other than keeping up on your son's routine for treatment and following the doctor's orders, I can't think of much else to suggest. Though, when I have those symptoms, I gargle with salt water, but I suppose your son is way too young for that...hope he feels better.
 
6

65rosessamurai

Guest
Hi melissa,

I normally don't venture over here, but felt like checking it out...
As my signature indicates, I'm a CF Patient, not a doctor.
However, from your description, and my personal experience, I'm sure the doctor did more than just an X-ray. I would think a throat culture and possibly even blood-work would have been involved.
X-rays normally would show heavy conjestion in the lungs, which would indicate infection starting. When mucous doesn't move out of the lungs, it stays, and allows the bacteria (most often Pseudomonas) to grow, which is one of our biggest problems.
The X-rays would pick up the blockage fairly well.
Because the mucous doesn't exit out our bodies, it's easy for other bugs, like ones that would start a cold, to easily culture. As far as "clear X-rays", it would be "ok", but the runny nose and cough may suggest something else. Allergies could even be a possible cause. especially if it's a dry cough, and the nose is running only water-like substances. Other than keeping up on your son's routine for treatment and following the doctor's orders, I can't think of much else to suggest. Though, when I have those symptoms, I gargle with salt water, but I suppose your son is way too young for that...hope he feels better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top