Doctor wants ANOTHER chest x ray due to doc error. Would you do it?

[WyattsMomma]

I have had a higher heart rate (100+) than my doc wants to see. My EKG went great, heartbeat was high (115) but no other problems. She called to get my chest x ray and found out that although it was read at the urgent care, it was never sent off to a radiologist (against protocol). She said that she wants me to go get another one at the imaging center, and the radiologist on site can read it and give me the results the next day. SO, radiation. Is it worth it? She said it was up to me whether to get a repeat read by professional or depend on a PA reading in office. She said it would ease both of our minds, but we all know with HA it really won't ease mine. She doesn't believe it will show anything sinister. The prior x ray was in Sept/early October. What would YOU do?

[sassparella]

X-rays only have a tiny amount of radiation. A CT scan is equivalent to 100 or more X-rays so that's how little a single X-ray has. That said, the decision is really up to you. If your decision is based on radiation, a second chest X-ray will not amount to much at all, but the questions you need to ask are:

Do you think not having another X-ray will increase your fears?
Do you think having another X-ray will help alleviate your fears?
Does your Doc think the X-ray is necessary?

Alternatively can't your original X-ray be sent to a radiologist to look at?

At the end of the day we can't tell you what to do. If it were me I'd get the X-ray done, but if you read my posts you'll know that I'm the queen of HA at the moment and constantly need reassurance. You need to work out what would be best for you.

[WyattsMomma]

Well, of course it will take away the fear, but not for long I am sure. I asked about just getting the results and sending them and she said we could but a new one would be just as easy plus she could request extra views of my heart. I am totally ok with another one, but the radiation scares me. I didn't know it was that low on radiation.

[marc]

If the doctor orders it, I would get it, as chest x-rays emit little radiation.

[sixpack]

the way I would answer the question for myself would be:

what prompted the x-ray to begin with?   Was it for an actual lung issue, like chest wheezing, blood in sputum.....  In other words was there an actual organic reason to have one.   OR was the x-ray taken because I got all panicky, ran to the doc, and the doc ordered the x-ray for my reassurance?

God love the docs.  They are doing their jobs.  Their frame of reference when a person comes into the office is that the person has actual problems going on. Some docs really don't fully understand HA in peeps.  They look at it like a med test will solve the concerns... and non-anxious peeps it is helpful.  In peeps, like us, not so much.
 Often the docs don't take into consideration that the person is coming in out of mental issues and not organic ones. 

[WyattsMomma]

I did ask for the first one, after I had chest pain (it has since went away) and I have bloody mucus sometimes that my doctor said is most probably post nasal drip. I guess I really need to decide if I trust a PA and nurse would be able to read the x ray. I really wish I didn't know it wasn't sent off....

[beth0277]

Chest x-rays have very little radiation. I can see where one could be beneficial in your case. If it were me, I would probably get the results from the other place instead, but having said that, getting another is not a risky move. I did have a heart issue picked up my x-ray once, so it can be an accurate diagnostic tool. Though, having said that, I would imagine the Urgent Care place would have picked up on anything sinister.

I am currently trying to decide whether or not to get another CT scan...so the thought of just an x-ray makes me a little jealous. 

[WyattsMomma]

I actually was offered a ct scan, but refused. I know that my mind will eventually doom myself based on it. Lol  HA is horrible, isn't it? I think I may just bypass a second x ray and get the UC to send off my xrays for a second look. Will save me extra anxiety re: waiting for results. I do think PAs could tell if anything was sinister, and they said my lungs looked great, no worries. Maybe me NOT having another will be a step in the getting better path. Who knows?

[sixpack]

I did ask for the first one, after I had chest pain (it has since went away) and I have bloody mucus sometimes that my doctor said is most probably post nasal drip. I guess I really need to decide if I trust a PA and nurse would be able to read the x ray. I really wish I didn't know it wasn't sent off.... 

so pretty much you jumped to scary conclusion of lung cancer based on irritated nasal passages,  tight muscles in your chest, & anxious over thinking and then got the doc to order an x-ray....

okay based on that, do you think you need an x-ray?  meaning was the x-ray ordered based on panicky thinking or medical necessity.   when you answer that for yourself, you should be able to decide if you need an x-ray repeated.     Personally, if I were you I wouldn't but  it is your body, your prerogative---it is up to you.

[vardnas]

I also personally think your doctor is overreacting about your heart rate. 115bpm? That's not insanely high, especially if you're anxious.

I agree with six that doctors often don't understand hypochondria and will merrily order us tests until the cows come home, not realizing that it's doing much more harm than good.

That being said, the actual risk of an x-ray is low. So radiation should not be your main concern—your mental well-being is what's really at stake here. So to answer your initial question, I would suggest against the additional x-ray, because guaranteed, it's not doing a thing for your anxiety.

[WyattsMomma]

Thanks yall. My doctor said she isn't overly concerned, but my heart rate jumps from 90- 140+. BUT my EKG was normal so she wanted to check the x ray. I know getting another won't help me. Even if it is clear (again) I will still keep having the mindset I am doomed to LC eventually either way. I need therapy.

[spmom5]

I would.  Otherwise the Dr cant get to the root of what he was looking at satisfactorily.

[sixpack]

I would.  Otherwise the Dr cant get to the root of what he was looking at satisfactorily.

what is the root the doc is looking for? 
 
bottom line is that wyatt wanted the x-ray in the beginning out of panicky thinking.  the first x-ray was a HA generated issue.