I do feel for you because I too would probably be telling myself I had cancer or some other horrible disease - even in the face of all the information I was given by the medics.  Sit down, take a deep breath and either think or write down the positive things you have discovered while you have been determinedly worrying about cancer.  I must be clear - I have no medical training but am an expert on worrying myself silly.  Things probably seem worse to you at Christmas when the rest of the world appears to be having a great time and you are so distressed about what you see as your future.

I think you need to listen to what the medics are saying; it is not so long now until your ct scan and in the circumstances try to put your panic on hold until you get the results - yes you will worry while you are waiting for them to come through but that is natural.  I am so sorry that you have worried yourself into this state but I know from experience how convincing your fears can be.  Have you talked to your nearest and dearest?  Your fears may feel less worrying once you bring them out into the open.  Enjoy yur family Christmas; I am sure your kids will cheer you up.

I have spoke to close family and friends, but not even my wife knows how worried I am. I dont want to over worry her or my family.

On a side not how long I have to wait for ct scan results? 

I am desperatly trying to say positive but everytime I cough or feel some back pain or any other ache or pain I start to worry again. 

The rational side of me says you will be OK. But the irrational side of me worries about everything. And it got even worse when I read x rays don't always pick up lung cancer. 

The worst part is I haven't got an underlying cause for my cough or pain. If they said it was x y or z I think that would make me worry less. 

Thanks for the kind post by the way. 

I bet your wife has some idea of how worried you are and would like you to share it with her.

I have nevber had cancer myself but have lost family and friends to it over the years.  It is a long time since my mum died of cancer and she was an inpatient at the local hospital where tests results seemed to come through quite quickly.  SInce then I have helped care for friends and neighbours who had cancer and there seemed to be varying amounts of time waiting for test results.  I think the best thing you can is to ring the Cancer Research nurses on the number at the bottom of the page as they are far more knowledgeable tham myself.  I am not sure how well-staffed they are over the immediate Christmas period but if you ring the number you will get some information.  Don't feel silly about your fears - I am sure they feel very real to you.  Other people who write on the forum are probably also tied up in last-minute Christmas things but I think someone else will be along at some point to chat with you. 

I so much hope you manage to get your fears under control.  Do come back to this forum if you need someone to listen to you.

Thanks so much [@Annieliz]‍ really appreciate your kind words, and for taking time out of your day to speak to me at this busy time.

I will take your advice and try to enjoy Christmas as there is nothing I can do till I get my results. 

Hope you have a great Christmas and I will pop back with my results with hopefully some good news!

Hi Moody420

I'm not a doctor, but I had prostate cancer 7 years ago, and I try to keep up with what's happening. I've also had a battery of blood tests and X-rays in the last 6 months, all of which were clear. This included a chest X-ray and a neck/shoulder X-ray. 

According to the NHS page on lung cancer (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer/diagnosis/#chest-x-ray), the first diagnostic test for (suspected) lung cancer is a chest X-ray. This can't always show the difference between cancer and some other lung condition, but it's pretty good at telling when things are clear. You've had two of them and they were both clear. I think this is a pretty good indication that everything actually is clear.  You've also had normal blood tests.

I think the A+E doctor is just being doubly sure and the CT scan is simply a formality designed to put your mind at rest. Ironically, it's done just the opposite!  

Earlier this year, there was a terrible cough virus doing the rounds, which I caught. So did the queen, even though we don't move in the same circles ;-)  Reputedly, this cough lasts for 100 days (which I can believe) and at times was so bad I nearly passed out. As a result of my coughing, I hurt my back and all my muscles were sore for a long time. Although I didn't bring up blood, I would not have been surprised if a small blood vessel had burst in my throat and spotted my handkerchief with red. 

So, I suggest you try to put this at the back of your mind and enjoy your Xmas. This is unlikely to be anything sinister. 

Thanks for post [@telemando]‍  it really helped, may I ask how long it took for your back to get better? And did you feel any weekness in your arms as a result of your back pain/virus? 

It took about 3 months to fully get over the cough. As for weakness in my arms, that's a tricky one to pin down. Before I developed the cough I already had severe "golfer's elbow" in my left arm when I played my mandolin (something I do frequently) and a slight problem in my right arm. I used an elbow strap for some months which helped, but eventually I had to see a physio to get sorted. I still have some pain in my grip, but it doesn't affect my playing or day to day activities. Whether the cough made it worse I really couldn't say.  I suggest that once you get over this business with the CT scan, you discuss your arm with your doctor. Like me, you could be suffering from an over-use or repetitive strain. 

Hi [@telemando]‍ thanks for the replys it really helped.

My cough looks like it maybe going now as it less frequent and a more clear your throat cough now. The back pain is still there but I am hoping that that was getting better until I think I pulled something picking up my son the other day.

I am still getting fleeting pain in my arm and hands but it it fleeting I am Hoping that is to do with a pulled muscle or maybe aniexty from googling symptoms (yes I know that is stupid!)

I just hope I get the all clear in the ct scan tomorrow so I can get on with my life! 

Snap.  I have been away from home for a little while but wondered how Moody420 was getting on.  Annie