I am a 32 year old male who has smoked heavily for almost 18 years. Last week I had excruciating pain underneath my right shoulder blade. It was so bad I was getting nauseous from the pain when I took a breath. The next morning when I coughed up the regular phlegm that smokers have in the morning, there was bright pink blood in the phlegm. I went to my doctor immediately but could only get a nurse practitioner, but I was assured that an MD (not a radioloigst) would look at my chest xray. They didn't see anything in the xray (the general practitioners at the office) but I felt the pain and saw the blood and I'm really worried, and need some advice on what to do next.. Obvioulsy I should quit smoking - which is what I'm going to do... I have a scrip for Chantix, this has scared me enough that I am quitting..
Should I insist on seeing a lung specialist? Should I get someone else to look at the xray? I'm relatively young but the pain and the blood really scared me...
2007-08-18 15:50:13 · 4 answers · asked by foobarred 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
could be GERD, my boyfriend has this
is heartburn
2007-08-18 15:58:25 · answer #1 · answered by saraann24 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While it is possible you have GERD/Acid Reflux, where you describe having pain is not anywhere I've ever had pain from Reflux. Most of the pain from that is like what you have with heartburn or indigestion. Unless you are having really bad bouts of it and are doing a great deal of coughing - then the pain in your shoulder could be a muscle type injury from the coughing.
Has any of what you experienced happened a second time?
2007-08-18 16:03:50 · answer #2 · answered by itscribe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had those pains from over doing it physically and the blood could be from that cough of yours. If you're getting a sharp stabbing pain while breathing though I would certainly consider seeing a specialist.I'm no doctor but I knew someone who died of lung cancer who told us about that symptom.It could still just be muscle pain so see if it goes away first.By the way, I stopped smoking 5 years ago, good luck!
2007-08-18 16:26:22 · answer #3 · answered by andre b 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I would definitely see a lung specialist. The x-ray should be read by a radiologist. It is your life, and nothing to fool around with. It may be absolutely nothing, but you can't afford to let this go.
Good luck with your quitting smoking! I smoked for 55 years, ruined my lungs, but now have been smoke free for almost 6 months! Please quit before you get emphysema or COPD like I have.
2007-08-18 23:01:51 · answer #4 · answered by Cat Lover 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋