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Bip
Bip, since you have high anxiety about health issues like I do and many others did you ever think about to stop smoking? You're still young, but time flies. I hate for you to go through what my husband had to go through minus the anxiety, he doesn't worry about anything.
In his case the Lung Specialist was CONVINCED that he had lung cancer (he did/does NOT). The X-rays and CT scan showed "nodules". He had to have a bronchoscope done, where the doctor goes down your throat into your lung to view it, and to take biopsies of the nodules.
I thought about you today, and remembered when the lung doctor told my husband that she was convinced that he had lung cancer, and ordered a PET scan right away, a PET scan checks your whole body to see where else there is cancer, its a VERY expensive test and usually doctors only order it when they know that the person has cancer. So much for waiting for the test result. She never apologized when they found out that it was NOT cancer, but benign nodules. But with his 45 yrs smoking history she automatically "assumed" he had cancer. This cancer scare caused him to stop smoking 3 yrs ago.
Can you imagine if you or I would be told we have lung cancer? Please try to quit. Not just so you don't have to go through this bronchoscope, but so you do not get lung cancer.
I never smoked, but I do know its an addiction, and its hard to quit. Think of your two kids. Besides your lungs it also can narrow your arteries in your legs and to your heart.
In his case the Lung Specialist was CONVINCED that he had lung cancer (he did/does NOT). The X-rays and CT scan showed "nodules". He had to have a bronchoscope done, where the doctor goes down your throat into your lung to view it, and to take biopsies of the nodules.
I thought about you today, and remembered when the lung doctor told my husband that she was convinced that he had lung cancer, and ordered a PET scan right away, a PET scan checks your whole body to see where else there is cancer, its a VERY expensive test and usually doctors only order it when they know that the person has cancer. So much for waiting for the test result. She never apologized when they found out that it was NOT cancer, but benign nodules. But with his 45 yrs smoking history she automatically "assumed" he had cancer. This cancer scare caused him to stop smoking 3 yrs ago.
Can you imagine if you or I would be told we have lung cancer? Please try to quit. Not just so you don't have to go through this bronchoscope, but so you do not get lung cancer.
I never smoked, but I do know its an addiction, and its hard to quit. Think of your two kids. Besides your lungs it also can narrow your arteries in your legs and to your heart.
I hope everything is going good for both of you. Today Im ok. Just not feeling good. Im going to the doctors tomorrow find out what is wrong with me? My stomach feels so sick and bloated out I can't stand this anymore.......
That is exactly how I feel give your trust to god. But I still go into total panic and suspense waiting for a test result, a test result which could reveal cancer. Every time the phone rings you are afraid to pick it up thinking its the doctor bringing you devastating news.
Shortness of breath indeed can be caused by anxiety. I had that one time so bad when I was 27 yrs old. I and our two kids little at the time got off a bus, and all of a sudden I could not breath anymore, the anxiety was like impending death, the kids 4 and 5 at the time kept on saying "mommy why do you breath funny" even they could tell. I felt like impending death was coming down on me. I would not wish this on my biggest enemy. All tests came back normal, and the doctor and Specialist said it was "anxiety". It hit me out of the blue, I was not nervous or stressed about anything at the time, it was a beautiful day, but bang it hit me.
After that I developed agorophobia, I was afraid this would happen again when out in public. It was a nightmare to say the least.
Tranquelizers never did a thing for me, but I do know that they have helped others. "Accepting" is the key even though its VERY hard. Tranquelizers calm some people but once you are off if you are not hooked the anxiety comes back. They are a "bandaid". "Accepting and floating right through it" is the key, its very hard, but it worked for me.
Shortness of breath indeed can be caused by anxiety. I had that one time so bad when I was 27 yrs old. I and our two kids little at the time got off a bus, and all of a sudden I could not breath anymore, the anxiety was like impending death, the kids 4 and 5 at the time kept on saying "mommy why do you breath funny" even they could tell. I felt like impending death was coming down on me. I would not wish this on my biggest enemy. All tests came back normal, and the doctor and Specialist said it was "anxiety". It hit me out of the blue, I was not nervous or stressed about anything at the time, it was a beautiful day, but bang it hit me.
After that I developed agorophobia, I was afraid this would happen again when out in public. It was a nightmare to say the least.
Tranquelizers never did a thing for me, but I do know that they have helped others. "Accepting" is the key even though its VERY hard. Tranquelizers calm some people but once you are off if you are not hooked the anxiety comes back. They are a "bandaid". "Accepting and floating right through it" is the key, its very hard, but it worked for me.
I wanted to add to my last post that I am so sorry to read about your mother. 46 is very young. I am 36, that is only 10 short years away. I have a fear of stomach cancer as well. Mainly, because there is no cure and by the time doctors discover it, like with your mom, it's too late. I rarely get stomach aches. When I do, I automatically think stomach cancer! I can imagine how your mother's death must've made you feel.
The subject of second hand smoke is actually a hard one for me because I was exposed to it as a child. I read that people exposed to it during childhood actually have a higher risk of developing lung cancer in their adult lives even if they have never smoked themselves. The chance is small but for a person suffering from anxiety, it's enough. I'm very happy to read that your x-ray and CT results were positive. I had an abnormal chest x-ray last summer. To make a long story I had to get a CT and see a pulmonologist and it turned out to be a benign condition. However, the health scare came at a very bad time. I had just given birth so my hormones were everywhere. My husband and I were trying to sell our house, it was Fall and the days were getting shorter (I get depressed furing the Fall and Winter months), so everything combined became too much for me and I developed GAD. This past January I became short of breath from worrying so much about my health. It was soooo scary for me because I know shortness of breath can be a sign of so many diseases. Thankfully, my doctor and my pulmonologist feels that the shortness of breath is anxiety related. I feel better with anti-anxiety meds but I don't take all the time, only when my symptoms get REALLY bad.
I find that just accepting things as they are has helped me. Instead of trying to fight the fact that we are obviously human and will eventually die one day and very well possibily may get cancer or some other horrible disease, I just accept it and that has helped me to a certain degree. I am trying to put all my trust in God. Whatever happens, it was meant to be.
The subject of second hand smoke is actually a hard one for me because I was exposed to it as a child. I read that people exposed to it during childhood actually have a higher risk of developing lung cancer in their adult lives even if they have never smoked themselves. The chance is small but for a person suffering from anxiety, it's enough. I'm very happy to read that your x-ray and CT results were positive. I had an abnormal chest x-ray last summer. To make a long story I had to get a CT and see a pulmonologist and it turned out to be a benign condition. However, the health scare came at a very bad time. I had just given birth so my hormones were everywhere. My husband and I were trying to sell our house, it was Fall and the days were getting shorter (I get depressed furing the Fall and Winter months), so everything combined became too much for me and I developed GAD. This past January I became short of breath from worrying so much about my health. It was soooo scary for me because I know shortness of breath can be a sign of so many diseases. Thankfully, my doctor and my pulmonologist feels that the shortness of breath is anxiety related. I feel better with anti-anxiety meds but I don't take all the time, only when my symptoms get REALLY bad.
I find that just accepting things as they are has helped me. Instead of trying to fight the fact that we are obviously human and will eventually die one day and very well possibily may get cancer or some other horrible disease, I just accept it and that has helped me to a certain degree. I am trying to put all my trust in God. Whatever happens, it was meant to be.
Lets go to the "second hand smoke". I used to get so mad at my husband and asked him if he thought me and the kids were chopped liver, we had to inhale that smoke 24/7. Our daughter blames her chronic sinusitis and bronchitis on the second hand smoke from her father. Our son was not effected neither was I. Thank god. My last X-ray of the lungs was a few months ago, and also a CT scan of my lungs. One doctor got hyper when he found out that I had TB at age three, and that I inhaled the second hand smoke for 45 yrs so the x-ray of my lungs were not good enough for him, and he felt I also needed a CT scan, at least that is what he told me the reason was. Scared the hell out of me. Waiting for that test result, I'll never forget that suspense. But my lungs are fine. Thank god!
True we can't control what happens to us. I know people who smoked for years, like my husband's grandfathers (they did quit in their sixties) but they went on to live for a long time. One grandfather died at 86 of complications to diabetes and the other of old age at the age of 92. However, we can do things to better our odds like not smoking and drinking, etc. The number one killer is lung cancer and 90% of those people are smokers. We can only do our best and leave the rest to God.
I'm so sorry your father died of rectal cancer. Age 60 is to young to die.
But here was my mother who died at age 46 of stomach cancer. Never smoked, never drank, never had any symptoms. She had this big pain one day at work, doctor thought it was a gallbladder attack, once they opened her up they saw it was not the gallbladder, but cancer all throughout her stomach, six days later she was dead, she never left the hospital.
Of course after that happened I was hurt, and bitter about my mom's sudden death, and supported my husband's smoking. I told him "don't pay any attention what the doctor says about you smoking look at my mom she never smoked and is now 6 feet under". This attitude of mine was only temporarely of course.
But here was my mother who died at age 46 of stomach cancer. Never smoked, never drank, never had any symptoms. She had this big pain one day at work, doctor thought it was a gallbladder attack, once they opened her up they saw it was not the gallbladder, but cancer all throughout her stomach, six days later she was dead, she never left the hospital.
Of course after that happened I was hurt, and bitter about my mom's sudden death, and supported my husband's smoking. I told him "don't pay any attention what the doctor says about you smoking look at my mom she never smoked and is now 6 feet under". This attitude of mine was only temporarely of course.
My post was swallowed, I guess.
I was asking about Chantix. Is that the new drug that's out or is it something that's been on the market a while? I know there's a new one that works completely differently that all other pharmaceuticals that I know of to this point. I'd like to research it but I don't know its name. My dad's doctor recommended it to him and he can't remember the name either.
I was asking about Chantix. Is that the new drug that's out or is it something that's been on the market a while? I know there's a new one that works completely differently that all other pharmaceuticals that I know of to this point. I'd like to research it but I don't know its name. My dad's doctor recommended it to him and he can't remember the name either.
I think you were reading my mind....lol My husband took Chantix and it helped him Stop smoking......He hasn't smoked in 3 months. I have appt. on thursday with my doctor and Im going to talk to her about it.......If he can do I can cause he was a heavier smoker than me...... You are right I worry about my health and Im a smoker........Thank you so much for caring....
My husband had to take Welbutrin to help him quit. The nicotine patch didn't do the job. He had the patch and smoked on top of it, and got splitting headaches. I wonder why :)
I forgot to mention to bip even though my husband does not have lung cancer his "souvenir" of smoking for 45 yrs gave him COPD, and he has to sleep now with a breathing mask every night.
Of course I am happy that he quit smoking and that the "breathing mask" is the only "souvenir" he got so far from 45 yrs of heavy smoking 3-4 packs a day.
I forgot to mention to bip even though my husband does not have lung cancer his "souvenir" of smoking for 45 yrs gave him COPD, and he has to sleep now with a breathing mask every night.
Of course I am happy that he quit smoking and that the "breathing mask" is the only "souvenir" he got so far from 45 yrs of heavy smoking 3-4 packs a day.
Hi, sorry I know this is to Bip. However, I totally agree with you. It seems that you care deeply for Bip to take the time to write this post to her. My father was a smoker. He did not die of lung cancer but he did die of rectal cancer at the age of 60. According to the doctors, smoking can trigger many cancers as well as respiratory diseases. My father started smoking when he was a teenager.
Bip, Barbarella is right, you are still young and still have time to quit smoking and reverse any damage done. I'm not a smoker either but I can imagine how hard it must be to quit. One of my pulmonary specialist told me that he presribes Wellbutrin or Lexapro to his patients to help them stop smoking. I believe Wellbutrin is an SSRI. You would only have to take it for a few weeks, I believe, and it is SUPPOSED to help you break your connection to smoking. When you see your doctor, why not ask him/her about it. Barbarella and I are only writing this to you because we care about your health.
Take care
Bip, Barbarella is right, you are still young and still have time to quit smoking and reverse any damage done. I'm not a smoker either but I can imagine how hard it must be to quit. One of my pulmonary specialist told me that he presribes Wellbutrin or Lexapro to his patients to help them stop smoking. I believe Wellbutrin is an SSRI. You would only have to take it for a few weeks, I believe, and it is SUPPOSED to help you break your connection to smoking. When you see your doctor, why not ask him/her about it. Barbarella and I are only writing this to you because we care about your health.
Take care
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