Pleurisy

I have recently had a GP diagnose pleurisy, and from looking on the web I have discovered that this condition is a sympton of something else. The doctor gave me no other indication of what was causing it.

I have recently given up smoking (finally managed it) and I have concerns that I may develop lung cancer or other serious respiratory disease because of smoking for 18 years.

I have an acute pain in my back which feels like a small implement stuck into my ribs (on the left hand side of my spinal column, just by my shoulder blade). I am only aware of it when I stretch my arms above my head, and occasionally my ribs 'crack' like when you crack your knuckles.

To the question...

How do I approach my Doctor with these symptoms?
I have been before with similar symptoms and he has told me that it is just a viral infection (very vague...) and not to worry. I would like to have a full check on my heart and lungs to see if I can do anything else to help myself and I would like to know exactly what is causing my ribs to crack and what is the pain I have when I stretch.

[National Jewish]

Although pleurisy can result from a viral infection, there are other possibilities that should be evaluated. Since your pain is triggered by stretching your arms and you notice "cracking of the ribs", there is a possibility that you have a musculoskeletal problem. This could be something like a pulled muscle or broken or cracked bone. Further testing such as a chest X-ray, a rib series and possibly, even a bone scan could be considered.