What is wrong with people?

[gasp]

I just read a post about bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease, where poster was asking about it and some odditional symptoms. Second responder (-directly after NJH Dr.'s intelligent response) said "this disease is caused by smoking, you better stop smoking..." Poster did not say they smoked, and probably does not smoke. Smoking is a possible cause for this and other chronic lung disease, but it is not a catch all . I happen to have chronic brochiolitis, from a different cause, along with another chronic lung disease also from same cause, which were both misdiagnosed for years.
Even some medical professional think like the above mentioned responder. I hate to break it to all the bandwagon Yes-Men, but even if a person does, or did smoke, it does not automatically mean it caused the problem, even when it may have aggravated it.This stereotyping is not just annoying , it is counterproductive and prevents effective , appropriate treatment of the real problem.Prejudice leads to apathy to neglect to needless suffering and even death.Just the facts please.


This discussion is related to What is Respiratory Bronchiolitis Interstitial Lung disease  .

[gasp]

Sorry about the typos above.

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Oh, and I am now thinking, especially since I have fairly frequent chest cramps , that the pulled muscle is likely related to my sternal chest pains that I have chronically, probably from muscle strain. Probably I pulled it from coughing, as this is when it is most painful even still. I have been trying to understand why I have these pains, and yesterday I found this explanation: http://www.healthhype.com/causes-of-breast-bone-pain-sternum.html.
I also have injured by breast bone ,20 years ago, so it may be contributory , but considering all of the possible causes described on that page, I personally think it is strained muscles, based on how and when it hurts.
Anyway I have an appointment with my primary in a couple hours, and am going to ask what he thinks.

[gasp]

I am, except that I had severed chest pains last week, different tan my normal ones I have chronically.And became dizzy,disoriented and sweaty,though it was hot in here,anyway I called the hospital after seeing these could be signs of a heart attack.They strongly adviced getting checked, so I did, 1st blood test came back "in gray area " for enzymes associated with heart attack, so they advises overnight monitoring and more tests.next 2 blood tests were normal.I did also mention several times that I thought I had pulled a muscle exercising, and that I have RADS, and chronic bronchiolitis from sulfuric acid exposure. They  kept misnaming RADS as rad, and ards. I understand a computer doing this , but what in the _____. I explained a few times that it is the same disease as WTC cough, that it is a specific form of chemical induced asthma, not a general term like rad, and not the disease ards.They kept having a different person ask me,like they had no knowledge of it,what so ever.
Next day, a doctor came in and  spoke to me prior to releasing me, as it was obviously not a heart attack. She asked me a few questions, then proceeded to tell me to "stop trying to get disability and get out and do something"Then how I need to lose weight ..elementary diet stuff,(in relation to prednisone as well) and to start exercising,, -gee I said I thought I pulled the muscle exercising -said it like 20 times.My wife then went back out to the car and brought in an 8 page report from NJHealth in which is my testing and diagnosis, that we had already submitted and they had copied in the ER. She read it (or pretended to), and I informed her I have not filed for disability, nor do I presently plan to. I have began to work with Voc. Rehab,however, to retrain to work. She asked me whom I was seeing there,(lol).I told her, and I again told her I was exercising, told her I have salad and I have lost 8 lbs in past 2 weeks ty.She was obviously taken a back ?
  These prejudicial statements were an echo of the nurse practitioner who had been treating me prior to getting testing in Denver, she advised I could work on a rock crusher,among other things. And accused me of "just trying to get disability". I did state one time, after becoming more ill from rock dust on crusher, "if I can't even do this, I might as well just file for disability" - I was discouraged. She also said, following ct diagnosis of ILD,mild or early, that it was "nothing to worry about , everyone has that"?! She became very angry when I wanted to go to NJH and get a more specific diagnosis.Plus I hate to break it to her, but I do have a disability, and would be well with in my rights and reason to do just that. However, I am going to try and succeed with retraining and try to work, like most people who are on disability, I would prefer to work. I think I can if I can avoid fumes.I am filing to reopen the WC claim, which is also my right and their responsibility. I have been paying my own medical for it for years thanks to practitioners like her. I am presently in chapter 7 in fact.
I believe her slanderous opinion, was passed to the hospital doctor some how, especially since it was just out of the blue, I mean wtf does precautions for possible heart attack have to do with disability? Only mention of it was a med assist case worker who came to suggest it as a possible payment method...and they work at the hospital-to help patients. Prejudice such as this is illegal and immoral, as is sharing medical records,which may have included her bias opinion from health clinic without my consent . Ever heard of ADA? (among other laws)
                            Discrimination like this kills people.

[lynnkay]

I rather agree with you. People associate lung disease with smoking. I have COPD. Yes, I smoked. But, I believe that my work environment and heredity played a part in my lung disease just as much. I worked around a number of very harmful things. Raw fiberglass before it is processed into material etc., standing over vats of hot glue, silicon spray etc. And of course, was told by employers these things would not hurt you. I knew that was a crock. But, you got to work.

A strong history of lung disease is running in my family as well. My only sibling a brother has COPD as well. My mother's only sibling a brother died with COPD and congestive heart failure. Then, in 2007 my mother passed away with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Deadly lung disease. They performed a biopsy on my mother's lung. Could not ever determine what caused her lung disease. And it was not from smoking, as she never smoked in her life.

I was told I had COPD by my family doctor. Did all the proper tests to determine it. Given the diagnosis and told to stop smoking. That was pretty much it. Then, went to a pulmonologist for a second opinion. COPD was confirmed. And I was told by this doctor that cigarettes were killing me. And that is all the info I got once again. Maybe I helped cause my lung disease. But, I know also that other things factor into it as well. Yes, we do get stereotyped and then pretty much dismissed. Or, that has been my experience.

Hope you are doing well.