Scared

[underdog]

I just saw the doctor yesterday. Over the weekend, I coughed up flecks of fresh blood, and one streak, and, well, I am more than a little concerned. I have been off of cigarettes almost completely for a few months now, but on Friday night, I did have a pack (it was my sixth, and without question last, "cheat"). I haven't coughed up anything colorful since (with one questionable exception).

My doc listened to my lungs, and said they sound very healthy (I can run a couple of miles easily, and get a decent amount of exercise). He wasn't overly concerned, saying that he really doubts it came from my lungs (although he added the caveat "assuming the xrays are clear"!). Also, no glandular issues. He is actually more suspicious of my throat (tons of post nasal drip, and obvious irritation). And he wants me to see an ENT to get a closer look. (Plus, I am prone to nasal issues -- nosebleeds -- and constant throat irritation due to allergies, which have just started up). He also thinks that I may have GERD issues that are irritating my throat.

But right now it is the xray that is scaring me. My only hope, really, based on what the Internet is telling me, is that this happens more frequently than is reported. Because for my age (41), it sounds like any blood is presumptively lung cancer.

I am now bracing myself to go in and get the xrays (the place was closed yesterday). Every instinct is saying "don't go", but I know I have to. Otherwise, I will just worry myself to death ....

 

[JennFL5366]

breath...if you have a history of nasal issues i would mainly think of that first like the dr did. i have sinus problems really super bad specially right now and also i have to use vg cause im allergic to it. also i have noticed my gurd has acted up (has been dormat for 5 years now) i just pop a prilosec and im ok..got some eye drops and some ocean nasal spray definitly helps on the blood issue. i have the problem that i will cough and i will get blood but i can tell its nasal as its been there before..dry sinuses..bleh....hope all works out for you!!

 

[JennFL5366]

ps sorry about the rant...im praying for you

 

[underdog]

no problem.

Its just that with all of these issues, I have never once had blood in my cough. And it was a deep cough. Throat clearing didn't get it out. Just a deep chest cough. Which tells me that it didn't come from the upper airways.

 

[DaBrat]

I had the same problem BEFORE I started vaping and happily found out it was just as your Doctor said. Post Nasal drip and irritation...

Best of Luck!

 

[Fisherman]

Sounds like your body is trying to get rid of that deep down stuff - usually takes months to work it's way out from there (from past experience). Clearing your throat doesn't do it, has to be worked at with the result that you end up tearing tissue of some sort. Have coughed up flecks of blood before and that was tissue tearing due to heavy coughing. That's a possibility. Anyway, whatever it is, early diagnosis is best.

 

[underdog]

I had the same problem BEFORE I started vaping and happily found out it was just as your Doctor said. Post Nasal drip and irritation...

Best of Luck!

Thanks. 2 years ago, and I wouldn't have been very concerned. But in the meantime, several things have happened that have made me much more aware of how things happen. In addition to my dad dying a painful death through pancreatic cancer, I had one friend just diagnosed with lung cancer. Another friend (slightly older) was perfectly fine, and then one morning got sick, went to the ER, was told he had late stage lung cancer and had 11 days to live, and died that night. This is in addition to three other such things that have happened in the last 2 years.

It isn't so much that these things have made me worried, but I am sick of not knowing. But I am also not sure if I want to know!

 

[DaBrat]

Thanks. 2 years ago, and I wouldn't have been very concerned. But in the meantime, several things have happened that have made me much more aware of how things happen. In addition to my dad dying a painful death through pancreatic cancer, I had one friend just diagnosed with lung cancer. Another friend (slightly older) was perfectly fine, and then one morning got sick, went to the ER, was told he had late stage lung cancer and had 11 days to live, and died that night. This is in addition to three other such things that have happened in the last 2 years.

It isn't so much that these things have made me worried, but I am sick of not knowing. But I am also not sure if I want to know!

I most definitely understand that. Lost a friend earlier this year to pancreatic cancer myself. Funny how all these years whenever I would get a cough or anything odd, I would immediately think 'Big C' but could never quit smoking. I went almost three months barely able to breathe this spring because of pollen and puffed merrily away between each hacking cough. Still wonder everytime I think I'm not getting my breath correctly... as if I should be able to run a marathon right off the bat at the ripe old age of ?? after almost 30 years of smoking.

Sad bunch aren't we?

 

[Fisherman]

Underdog - had a chance to make that appointment yet?

 

[underdog]

Underdog - had a chance to make that appointment yet?

Just got back. The guy doing the xray said he didn't see anything obvious, and I looked at them, didn't see anything obvious either. I should find out for sure in a couple of days.

He couldn't get over how big my lungs were, however! Asked me how many hours I could spend underwater. I was also surprised how clear they looked.

Overall, I feel much better having gone.

Thanks for your concern.

 

[SLDS181]

Great news!

 

[Fisherman]

Great start ! Well done for doing that. You must be feeling a bit better now?

ps. keep us all posted

 

[jj2]

My son has allergy issues and if it turns bronical, he will cough up blood. They say it also has something to do with his tonsil and adnoids being removed.
He usually goes to see the doctor who did xrays the first couple of times. After that, the doc just prescribed meds.
When he was younger, he did the allergy shots and a lot of people had the same problem.
Hope you get good news.

 

[underdog]

Great start ! Well done for doing that. You must be feeling a bit better now?

ps. keep us all posted

Yeah, definitely feeling better. I don't want to get ahead of myself, and there is definitely something going on, but I was half expecting a basketball sized tumor.

I was really shocked at how clear most of my lungs were. Assuming that there is nothing lurking in those little shadows, it may be a good testament to vaping. I know when I had my last chest xray (6+ years ago), there was a lot more "stuff". I know my lungs are definitely clearer (given the obvious caveat).

 

[Fisherman]

Did anyone ask you if you were a smoker? Did you get the chance to say -"not for the last 4 months"?

 

[LuckySevens4U]

Reading these types of scares like this just reinforces my thoughts and feelings anytime I feel that "urge" or think about a regular ciggy again. This is the #1 reason each time I think about one, that it keeps me saying NO NEVER again! This is exactly how I stay strong.

 

[underdog]

Did anyone ask you if you were a smoker? Did you get the chance to say -"not for the last 4 months"?

The guy who did the xrays was a smoker. I told him I stopped a few months ago, and he said mine didn't look like I smoked. I meant to tell him about vaping, but forgot. When he asked why I was getting xrays, and I told him, he did give me a "oh crap" look.

 

[Fisherman]

The trouble is, vaping is such a gift that you can easily forget how much you hated each and every analog you smoked. Life seems to get back to normal and the joy of the first few analog-free days becomes a distant memory.

 

[underdog]

Reading these types of scares like this just reinforces my thoughts and feelings anytime I feel that "urge" or think about a regular ciggy again. This is the #1 reason each time I think about one, that it keeps me saying NO NEVER again! This is exactly how I stay strong.

Seriously, there is no frigging way I am giving in again. I hope that you do stay strong. It is just not worth it. If all of this turns out OK, I am definitely treating it as one huge, blinking warning sign.

 

[Fisherman]

Not just you mate, all of us.