Hey Anon, It is scary to be experiencing that type of pain but we have contacted a specialist in lung cancer and a phenomenal cardiologist on your behalf.
Heart expert Himanshu Shukla had this to say about your question...
"More than likely this is musculoskeletal discomfort but given that you have had a history of smoking I would highly recommend to repeat the cardiac testing if it has been awhile, or if the symptoms have changed, or if they are worse. Most importantly take advantage of this opportunity and try to prevent behavior for developing heart like smoking, watching your blood pressure, prevention of being overweight, increasing your activity (of course wait to be cleared by your doctor prior to engaging in an exercise program), etc. "
From Regina Regina Vidaver, Ph.D. and Executive Director of the National Lung Cancer Partnership in Madison, Wis.
"Your situation illustrates the challenges of a life without health insurance. The best possible course of action for you is to first get health insurance, whether it be through Medicaid or through your state insurance pool. If you are having any challenges accessing information on how to get such insurance, your state representatives should be able to help you.
The second, incredibly important thing for you to do is to get the help you need to quit smoking. You can call 1-800-QUITNOW to speak with a trained individual to help you formulate a plan for how and when you will quit, and provide you the support mechanisms so you can do so successfully. This is the single most important thing you can do to protect your health.
It is possible that once you quit smoking that your pain will subside or cease; one of the side-effects of smoking is narrowing of the arteries, and it is possible that the symptoms you feel are due to such narrowing. On the other hand, it is possible that your symptoms are indicative of a tumor somewhere. The best way to diagnose such a condition is with a CT scan. One way to get a CT scan without insurance is by participating in the following clinical trial: http://www.ielcap.org/index.htm You would have to pay out-of-pocket for the scan itself, which is usually in the range of $300, but you would be assured appropriate follow-up care."
Also from the National Lung Cancer Alliance, here are a list of symptoms.
* "a cough that won't go away
* recurring respiratory infections such as pneumonia
* chest, shoulder or back pain that won't go away
* unexplained wheezing
* shortness of breath or hoarseness
* coughing up blood
* swelling in the neck or face
* difficulty swallowing
* unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
* increasing fatigue or weakness
* unexplained recurrent headaches
* seizures
* bone pain"
Are you experiencing these?
You may also find this information on lung cancer risks helpful ... Who is at risk?
Comment Reply
Hey Anon, It is scary to be experiencing that type of pain but we have contacted a specialist in lung cancer and a phenomenal cardiologist on your behalf.
Heart expert Himanshu Shukla had this to say about your question...
"More than likely this is musculoskeletal discomfort but given that you have had a history of smoking I would highly recommend to repeat the cardiac testing if it has been awhile, or if the symptoms have changed, or if they are worse. Most importantly take advantage of this opportunity and try to prevent behavior for developing heart like smoking, watching your blood pressure, prevention of being overweight, increasing your activity (of course wait to be cleared by your doctor prior to engaging in an exercise program), etc. "
From Regina Regina Vidaver, Ph.D. and Executive Director of the National Lung Cancer Partnership in Madison, Wis.
"Your situation illustrates the challenges of a life without health insurance. The best possible course of action for you is to first get health insurance, whether it be through Medicaid or through your state insurance pool. If you are having any challenges accessing information on how to get such insurance, your state representatives should be able to help you.
The second, incredibly important thing for you to do is to get the help you need to quit smoking. You can call 1-800-QUITNOW to speak with a trained individual to help you formulate a plan for how and when you will quit, and provide you the support mechanisms so you can do so successfully. This is the single most important thing you can do to protect your health.
It is possible that once you quit smoking that your pain will subside or cease; one of the side-effects of smoking is narrowing of the arteries, and it is possible that the symptoms you feel are due to such narrowing. On the other hand, it is possible that your symptoms are indicative of a tumor somewhere. The best way to diagnose such a condition is with a CT scan. One way to get a CT scan without insurance is by participating in the following clinical trial: http://www.ielcap.org/index.htm You would have to pay out-of-pocket for the scan itself, which is usually in the range of $300, but you would be assured appropriate follow-up care."
Also from the National Lung Cancer Alliance, here are a list of symptoms.
* "a cough that won't go away
* recurring respiratory infections such as pneumonia
* chest, shoulder or back pain that won't go away
* unexplained wheezing
* shortness of breath or hoarseness
* coughing up blood
* swelling in the neck or face
* difficulty swallowing
* unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
* increasing fatigue or weakness
* unexplained recurrent headaches
* seizures
* bone pain"
Are you experiencing these?
You may also find this information on lung cancer risks helpful ...
Who is at risk?
What every woman should know about lung cancer
Does that help?
January 12, 2009 - 5:14pmThis Comment
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