second opinion

[Amarco]

Hello
I am a 35 year old white male.  Generally perfect health.  I have a 4 year history of smoking marijuana socially(generally twice only on  the weekends). I have never smoked a cigarette before in my life.

I have had a chronic clearing of my throat and cough that seems to eminate from my upper bronchial area.   The quality of my cough is a hacking sort of irritation and clearing of throat.  Not deep at all, just persistent.

I have had soreness in my rib cage on and off from day one.  No fevers, no weight loss, no blood.

I had a chest xray at Northwestern Memorial Hospital 21 days ago.  Interpretation was normal.

I was told not to worry about it as soreness and hack would have in all likelihood shown something.  I went to the Pulmonary Clinic at University of Chicago and the doctor here seemed very unconcerned and gave me a script for Nexium and Flonase.   I have had in the past PND from allergies, although have not suffered from this lately.  

I don't recall any GERD symptoms.

My concern is somewhat hypervigilant in nature because when I was 18 years old I had a bout of very bad bronchitis that lasted nearly 6 mos. in which I had coughed small amounts of blood.   At the time I had several chest xrays and even finally a bronchoscopy(all which turned out normal) and after  there was a 12-14 year period after this with no problems and no smoking of marijuana.

So my concern is this, should I be concerned about this being more serious  than a chronic cough(i.e. lung cancer)???   with my history what is the likelihood of something serious here?

thankyou

[National Jewish]

At age 35, with your relatively slight smoking history, there is a real, but small likelihood of this being cancer.  It is more likely that your symptoms are due to some type of chronic airway disease.  This may be related to an increased sensitivity to marijuana.  It is equally likely that smoking marijuana is causing your symptoms.  You should stop before you cause permanent lung damage.

[carebear1234]

It sounds like you have been tested for cardiopulmonary problems and everything has came back normal.  Your problems may be linked to sinus drainage.  Just a thought. I hope things go better for you.

[totalmuggle]

well i think you should get your pft's tested might be a good idea

[Amarco]

I forgot to add the cough has been going on for 6 weeks now and yes I had a spirometry test at the UIC Pulmonary Clinic before my visit and I don't recall the exact results, something like 108%,98%,96%, anyway it was normal apparently.  I am very athletic.   Also had a Metholcholine challenge a couple years ago, also normal, I believe all result #'s above 100%.