Sqad, Stethoscope, Your Thoughts Please

[woodelf]

I have Severe COPD, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Emphysema and the crackling/rattling sounds in my chest when I breathe, speak or just exist, can be heard outside my body and yet, when my Thoracic Consultant uses the stethoscope, he says he can hear nothing - yeah, yeah, heart etc accepted - nothing of the crackling/rattling sounds.
I don't understand why he can't hear anything and I don't want to disparage him, as he is a nice bloke, but I don't understand why he can't hear what is going on in my chest - and/or lungs!...have you any thoughts Sqad? Many Thanks.

[Sqad]

LOl....you say you can hear noices in your lungs, your Cardiologist cannot hear any sounds...........you can't both be right .....LOL

Are we talking about the right interpretation of your doctor's comments?

Sorry for my useless answer to your question woodelf but that is all I have to offer.

[woodelf]

Hi Sqad, as far as I can tell and hear, the noises are coming from my chest and even my Consultant can hear them, but when he uses the 'scope' he can't hear anything that should cause the crackling/rattling - there is an awful lot of mucus making the racket!
Anyroadup, I've got a lung function test coming up soon, so that might sort something out!

[Sqad]

Yes....the lung function test is so important and it may well be disgnostic, although you seem to know your diagnosis indicating that you have had many previous lung function tests.

[woodelf]

Thanks for your reassurance about the forthcoming test, but it'll only be the second since 2020!...I just know and feel that it's gotten worse!

[rowanwitch]

Is the noise coming from just the main bronchus and branches The rest of your chest can sound clear but mucus in the main bronchi can be heard without a stethoscope . Might explain why you were told they couldn't hear anything

[woodelf]

...but the fact that the mucus etc could be heard, rowanwitch, should (or may) have given my chap the nod there was/is something that needed/needs deeper investigation - horrible to think about, but needs be to consider! - Many Thanks for your answer!

[Sqad]

woodelf.....I am not familiar with the term "Thoracic Consultant".

Is he a Physician or Surgeon?

[woodelf]

Sorry for the delay Sqad, just seen your reply - my doctor is a Physician/Consultant in Respiratory and General Medicine, I don't know if he is a surgeon and it is probably my own over-active fevered imagination thinking about this-oscopy or that-oscopy that might have made you ask your question!

[Sqad]

OK woodelf ...he is not a surgeon.
We have a saying in the medical world:

" A Physician is someone who knows everything , but does nothing.
A Surgeon is someone who knows nothing, but does everything.
A Psychiatrist is someone who knows nothing and does nothing"

A bit harsh I know but an element of truth. LOL

[woodelf]

...and with that sentiment ringing in my earloaders, I will simply exist and fade away into one of my imaginary landscapes!