Since 1995 - Non Profit Healthcare Advice

Silicosis

10/13/2011

Question:

I sandblasted for 3 yrs I am having pain in my right lung area malaise,fitful sleep flu like symptoms.I have been having these symptoms for 4 months.I have had bronscopy,ct,x ray all clear Could Silicosis been missed? Puliminary Dr cant figure out whats wrong.Where symptoms are comming from. I am very scared something has been missed.Thanks

Answer:

Silicosis is diagnosed based on a patient’s occupational history, pulmonary function tests, imaging studies such as a CT scan and if necessary to exclude other causes, a lung biopsy. 

A normal CT scan makes silicosis less likely to be the cause of your symptoms.  It would be important to rule out infections, including atypical infections such as fungal or mycobacterial, and blood clots as causes of your symptoms. 

 It would be important to discuss your ongoing symptoms with your primary care physician as well as your pulmonologist.

For more information:

Go to the Pulmonary Fibrosis health topic.