Wheezing with Upper Back Pain

I wonder if anyone can advise me on the following symptoms.

I am a 36 year old female who has smoked on and off since I was 14.  Tried to stop last year but had allergy to patches I was using. Going to try some other form of aid.  Anyway have been recently getting pain my upper back it goes from one side to the other, I also spit up phlegm which is sometimes clear and sometimes brown with specks in it. I also sometimes get a pain in my left shoulder.  I have also swelling in my calves when sitting down too long and sometime my hands get very hot and swollen.  I don't know if this is all connected or not.  Is there anyone out there with any of the same symptoms - I am terrifed to go to docs just in case its something serious.

[National Jewish]

There is no way for us to know the cause of your back pain.  Your first step should be to have a thorough exam by your doctor and get a chest x-ray.

Your productive cough is a signal that you must stop smoking or accept the serious risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD.  The wheezing could be a sign of either COPD or asthma.  A patch is not the only way to administer nicotine replacement.  It can be ingested or inhaled in your nose.  In addition to nicotine replacement, 2 medicines are available to help you quit smoking:  Wellbutrin

[esp_71]

Meazypops,

I am having the similar problems and no one seems to know what it is....

Six weeks ago it started with following symptoms:

- joint pain
- swelling all over, but esp. in abdomen between hips and ribs
- lymph node swelling
- tired
- night sweats
- coughing with clear phleghm and brown specks

All lab work comes back ok (CBC, urinalysis, liver, kidney function)

Seen atleats four different doctors and thy all say it is a virus and should go away soon. Very frustrating!

Any help would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks,

Ed  ***@****

[SonjaThomas]

A related discussion, Sudden Upper Back Pain included with weezing was started.