Couple of things to add since I'm also in this position:

Don't panic if you don't quite manage to submit everything within the 90 days. My original letter was dated 9 March and I didn't submit everything until 29 June, so about 3 weeks late. It didn't cause me any problem - I had feared the whole application would be treated as abandoned.

Also, I didn't do the sputum coughing test because I simply don't have a cough (I did curse myself a bit for giving up smoking a while back!). The lack of a cough as the reason for no sputum samples was stated in the requested report from the chest physician but in my case CIC did not accept that. So after submitting the 3 month x ray and that report, I have since had a request for a 6 month x ray. So I would say you're absolutely right to try to do the sputum test if possible because otherwise you're likely looking at more months of delay.

Fingers crossed for you and hoping the coughing isn't too unpleasant.

Do you know what the repeat x-rays will achieve?

There seem to be those who have scars/marks on the x-ray - even if a faulty x-ray is to blame - and those who don't.

I can see the value where the marks are not there on the later x-rays, but what of those who know the marks will still be there? Sputum testing for those will exclude TB. Not sure what a further x-ray will prove.

I think we would all feel better if we had some idea of what all this is going to achieve.

for you. Hope the 6 month x-ray finally allows you to move on.

I think they're looking for stability. If they see changes or any sort of worsening in the later x ray(s) then that might give them cause for concern. But of course doing the sputum test means not having to do the 6 month x ray so is definitely worth doing if possible. But if it;s not possible, then there's the 6 month x ray option and that is (hopefully, fingers crossed) enough for CIC to work with.

In my case I had enlarged lymph nodes that the chest doc thought was most likely due to asymptomatic sarcoidosis, which in the majority of cases clears up spontaneously with no intervention - so you'd expect to see that clearing up in the subsequent x rays, which it apparently was in the 3 month x ray but I don't know yet what the word is on the 6 month one.

In a chest wound case like your other half, surely they'd be able to see pretty clearly that it's totally stable just from the second x ray but I suspect they'd still have to tick all their boxes and insist on the extra stuff like sputum or a 6 month x ray.

Ah, I see. Yes, I guess that would make sense.

They have already said no sputum, then has to be 6 month x-ray, even though the DMP gave her opinion that the scarring matched chest wound and would, of course, always do for ever and ever.

I've put him under pressure now. "Produce sputum or wait another 3 months"!! I really hope he can do it. The stress following a 6 month x-ray would be awful.

Sounds good that yours will be ok, if it showed signs of clearing up on the 2nd. I hope you get the all clear real soon.

The further x-ray shows if there is change or not. If it's a scar or dormant process then the appearances won't change. If it's an active process then it will clear or worsen. Marks caused by "faulty" x-rays are easily distinguishable and happen rarely with modern imaging.

That's good to know. If there really is something wrong, we of course want to know. We just don't want to remain in "limbo" forever!

Thanks, Bats!

Still, this does not explain our case where there is nothing on the X-ray. No shadows, no history of any illness, much less chest illness. It seems we have just been singled out for harassment. This has reallt put a damper on the proceedings.

If you feel there is no reason for testing in your case, you can ask your DMP to query it. Ours emailed CHC on Tuesday and we had a response on Friday.

You may just be told to get on with the tests, as we were, but at least you will know you tried.