Chest X ray fear /low bone density in spine

I think she is just covering all bases. It is very unlikely that is it cancer. You would have other symptoms. My DH has COPD and doesn't even need an inhaler. The doctor doesn't think it is serious.
I have learnt there is no point worrying about what it could be - just enjoy your days away and relax. It could be panic attacks.

There are plenty of things that can be discovered from an Xray which are not cancer or COPD, so don't fixate on those things. For instance, if you haven't smoked for ages you are unlikely to have COPD.

You don't say how old you are. Many older people get puffed out if they run for a bus - you are in good company. Lung capacity gradually goes down, as you age.

From the mild oedema, I wouldn't be surprised if your GP (after the Xray check-up) prescribes a diuretic to rid you of extra water in your legs and ankles. That will also rid you of any extra water in the cells of your lungs, which will improve your oxygen take-up and hence your feeling of lack of puff.

Finally - being worried about your symptoms causes you to tighten up all over, including your breathing, and to over-breathing trying to catch your breath, which makes you panicky, which in turn makes you worry, which causes you to tighten up etc etc etc. Maybe your GP will also give you a course of something to relax you?

Meanwhile, enlist your DH to make sure you relax on this holiday - some nice meals, a few drinks, a bit of pampering? Show him your post and this reply - I am sure he will oblige (he will enjoy the holiday more if you are more relaxed, as well)

Please don't Google. I have been feeling unwell lately (I am seeing GP next week). I have scared myself with Google. I'm keeping off it now.

Google's too handy if you have the odd twinge. In the past we've probably suffered all kinds of things and " got on with it " because there was nothing to refer to------unless you possessed an old doctor's book which told you that if you had a boil on your behind---death often followed.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing so steer clear of Google, it'll have you worrying for nothing.

The trick with Google is to understand it is a compilation of pages written by people who often talk thruogh their hats.

Even some of the reliable medical pages may have no bearing on what's happening in your body.
Breathlessness, for instance, can have dozens of different causes and without a physical examination of the patient, it's mere speculation as to a cause.

Treat Google as if it is a room full of gossips, some of whom may or may not have medical experience.

If one of those gossips came up to you and diagnosed without ever knowing your history or giving you a thorough examination, would you trust their word?

I like Uncle Google but I take his results with a large pinch of salt, knowing where he got his information from.

Google is brilliant for many things. However I frighten myself with medical stuff.

Rowan You say you're "very overweight" and that alone could make you breathless.

You are carrying round more weight than you used to, so you need more fuel (oxygen) do do so.

Perhaps on that holiday you shouldn't tuck in to too many lovely rich foods?

I agree with KatyK and EllanVannin I have the perverse obsession of googling my ailments and bringing on a full blown panick attack! And it's not just dr Google, used to do this when we only had the medical encyclopaedia....

im seeing a chest specialist because my asthma has been bad recently and every winter I get chest infections I wonder Google anything in case I make myself worse I wish it was over hate hospitals but necessary evil. I know I'm overweight so I'm expecting telling off.

Thank you all. I know you're all talking common sense, but I seem to be in an anxiety loop at the moment and yesterday added to it in spadeloads. That said, it wasn't just Dr Google which provoked it: I had asked the GP if she was looking for COPD and she had said yes, amongst other things - and of course WCS (Worst Case Scenario) is my fall-back at the moment. I am also feeling extremely stupid for ever having smoked and I suppose deep down feel it's coming back to bite me and serve me right.

BlueSky I too did this, pre-internet, with a well-thumbed Dictionary of Symptoms! All easier to do these days with so much stuff out there on the internet, much of it, as BradfordLass72 rightly observes, like a roomful of gossips. Bring in the Village Idiot (me) and it's a lethal mix!

Elegran I'm 65, thought I was 5' but have shrunk an inch, it seems.
Ellan Vannan you're right - but it's like a compulsion. You try to stick to NHS websites, but then other sites pop up so you open those too. Stupid, I know!

Harris27 have your inhalers stopped working? Presumably you have the pneumonia job as well as the 'flu one. Chest infections are horrible and often take ages to shift. I'm very thankful for hospitals but winter's a rubbish time to be unwell...

Generally not a great time for me at the moment, with additional worries about DGD and school, feeling low and starting to compare again (something I'm prone to when the Black Dog growls) and feeling overwhelmed with Stuff to Do at home I've been avoiding. Time to make a list over coffee and get stuck in. Nothing like distraction and occupation to help with anxiety!

Doctor should have reassured you better than that. Fancy saying "amongst other things" and leaving it at that.

I think it's probably all simply down to the overweight-ness.

It's the muscles in your back you need to strengthen, to support your spine. But exercises are so boring. Sigh.

That wasn't the most uplifting post was it? Sorry.

Gonegirl well, the last bit made me smile, which is a bonus at the moment, so thank you for that!

And yes, you're right: I will need to research this myself and work out a regime. Exercises are boring, but I can try to do them while watching TV or listening to the Archers....or some bouncy, Death Metal 'music' to get me going...

Death metal might set you off running for the hills!

MissAdventure That'd be a turn-up for the books, me running anywhere!

You cannot change your past so no regrets! Plan on smaller portions and some daily exercise. Make small changes to improve your health. If you do little exercise at the mo ,
then start with 15-30 minute walk a day. Try and do it every day regardless of the weather. The CXR may be partially to rule out heart failure. Wishing you all the best

Rowantree I find that we are never happy with the doctors. If they don't seem to take much notice we are convinced they'll miss something important and if they do take us seriously and refer us, we are equally convinced that they are going to find something even an incidental finding and whish we never mentioned it!

I expect the weight and feelings of panic are causing the breathlessness, as soon as it happens you panic and it get worse. The GP does seem to be taking action, they always go seem to go for the easy option first visit and then the onus is on you to go back which you did and you now have the Xray to come. Dear old NHS it all takes time. Meantime while you wait better to do something than nothing so why not start in a gentle way to tackle the weight side of things. I think you should be taking Calcium and Vitamin D for the Osteopenia which is a different issue to the breathing, have a look at the Royal Osteoporosis website for exercises.

Add Vit K2 into the mix of Vit D and calcium.

There's been some good advice on here. You also need Magnesium for your bones, plus make sure the Vit D is D3. There are plenty of bone support supplements available containing everything you need but you get what you pay for so cheapest is not best.

My weak back makes me get puffed out easily. Takes a fair bit of energy to keep upright. Can be very tiring.

I guess it's why people use walkers.

I have Osteocare tablets. They include magnesium and vit D. Remembering to take them is the hard part. And they are very big, and you have to swallow two!