Not sure

[bmdj56]

Hi.  I'm not sure if I am posting this in the right board, but I'll ask it anyway.  A few months ago I started getting a strange sensation in my chest.  I guess it wasn't really my chest, more like my rib.  I noticed that my lower left rib was protruding, for lack of a better word.  It was a different shape than my right rib.  It may have always been like this, but I never noticed.  Recently, I am also having slight pain in that area- but not when I breath.  In fact, when I take a deep breath, nothing hurts, it's happens out of the blue.  The pain is mild.  I have also had a pain in my left arm, again, very mild.  I am an ex smoker, and I am scared that it may be something to be really concerned about. I am afraid to go to a doctor.  My brother passed away in August from the effects of radiation treatment he had 30 years ago for brain cancer, and my family and I are still mourning.  Also, I am very paranoid since his death that one of us are going to take it. I fear finding out bad news and having to go through terror again.  I have checked a million websites for the symptoms of lung cancer, and I really don't fit them.  I don't have a strange cough, my sputum does not contain blood (I check all the time), I don't feel tired, weak, have wheezing, or anything else. Basically, the main things are the weird protruding of the rib and the slight pain, and the slight pain in my arm.  I have not had an injury in that area. I am perplexed! I should also mention that last year I started having a skin condition; a weird rash and alopecia.  The alopecia has cleared up, but the rash remains.  I have seen a number of dermatologists, had blood work, biopsies, and they all say it appears that I am in good health.  The diagnoses is unsure, but they claim it is either sever eczema or psorisios.  I don't know if maybe these things are related.  Any advise or suggestions would be very appreciated! Sorry this is so long.

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  NanaGG is right.  The earlier you consult with a doctor and know what's happening, the sooner you're going to have some peace of mind.  I think a simple chest x-ray can help settle this matter.

[bmdj56]

Thank you so much for you support and confidence. As I said, I feel fine in all other ways, just this weird rib thing.  It probably is nothing serious, but I am paranoid since my brother's passing.  I think I will make an appointment with the doc.  Thank you! If anyone else has any ideas on what this could be, please reply!

[NanaGG]

I can not help you regarding what could be going on. I can however encourage you to make an appt. to see your dr. regarding this. When bad things happen around us we get scared it that fear paralizes us. My mother had breast cancer and my husband had lung cancer and we were soooooo lucky because they were found in there early stages. I had had symptoms and I was afraid it would be something bad and have come to relize that we need to push out the fear with faith. Fait I was fine and relieved and so will you be. Faith moves things, I would bet that there is nothing serious going on, but you need to know. information brings peace. Even is there is something going on, you will know what to do to take care of it, which takes care of you, which brings peace. Look at it from a different perspective. Freedom of mind and fear - don't let your fear keep you in a bondage. Be strong and go forward unafraid - I am sure you will be victorious in many ways. Good luck and God bless.