Does this sound like cancer?

[regrettinglifechoices]

I’ve been a smoker on and off for years. At points I’ve given up for over a year, but I stupidly go back to it during periods of bad mental health and then it’s difficult to give up. I know smoking is bad for me, I know the risks, but still I do it even though I hate myself for it.

Around 8 months ago, I developed a really horrendous chest infection, which lasted about two weeks. Ever since, I have had the feeling of thick phlegm in my throat that I cannot swallow down or properly cough up. It is green and looks like snot. It is becoming impossible to live with; every 10 minutes I am trying to cough up phlegm that won’t go away. I’ve tried to call the doctor about it but he has fobbed me off.

10 weeks ago I developed a fissure on the inside of my mouth (upper lip) that hasn’t healed. For this, the doctor sent me to a specialist and they are going to remove it and stitch it up, but they have said it’s ‘benign’ though I haven’t had any biopsies taken.

I have stopped smoking since this developed, and I am still coughing up phlegm every 10-15 minutes. The only time it stops is when I am asleep.

When I’m eating, I’m occasionally getting what feels like GERD, and it feels like food is taking ages to get down my throat and always feels like it’s getting stuck.

I’m really panicking that I’ve given myself cancer and regretting my decisions, I should have stopped for good earlier. I don’t drink alcohol, so this has always been the one vice for me.

I’m not sure what to do when I’m not being listened to. I’ve looked it up and apparently green phlegm indicates infection, but it has been like this for over half a year, every day, and I don’t have any other symptoms bar a bit of fatigue and headaches.

Any advice or tips on how I can get rid of this myself, or does it sound like something serious?

Thank you :/

I’d insist on sending a sample away.

Truthfully, we can't say. If I were you, I wouldn't be accepting leaving it as is though, especially with a fissure that isn't healing, I'd really be pushing that and making sure proper tests were done.

I’m going to call again first thing on Tuesday morning. I’m just terrified.

I think that's a good idea, doesn't make it any less scary, but at least they can arrange any necessary examinations/tests to give you solid answers. Maybe have a look at "globus"? It sounds like what you have, and can be exacerbated by smoking.
If there is anything that needs treating, you've went to the GP straight away so you are doing the right thing. Not doing so would just make you worry more too, which is probably the most harmful thing going on here!
It sounds like it hasn't been long since you stopped completely either? I smoked for a couple of years, stopped completely a long time ago, but it did take a few months for the awful cough and breathlessness from anything more than a halfhearted jog to go away. This could still be your body getting rid of all the bad stuff and adjusting.

Have a look at this https://www.niquitin.co.uk/stop-smoking-timeline/ or Google quitting smoking timelines. I found it helpful to focus on the positives as quitting is something you can control. Even after 24 hours you'll see some benefits.

I don't think it sounds like cancer, but I think you are right to be looking for answers.

I have acid reflux and cough up thick green phlegm every day so it's not necessarily an infection. Have you tried gaviscon? I use the double action liquid and it helps with my reflux cough. Worth trying it to see if it is reflux.

I don't want to scaremonger but it might be worth asking for investigations in the oesophagus department - it's the acid reflux and tiredness on top of the other things that might indicate it needs a closer look.

Definitely get it checked out thoroughly as it sounds really unpleasant to live with anyway, and I really hope you get answers and relief soon x

Is the green stuff because that the infection is still there? Did you get antibiotics at the time?

I found the bad acid reflux stopped after I had given up smoking for a while. Hoping it's something straightforward for you too OP.

Hi there! Might it be a swallowing difficulty? I would be suspicious of things getting stuck and chest infections. Ask for a referral to SLT via your GP. (I'm a SLT)

My husband has similar symptoms after having covid in 2021 he’s a non smoker. He went to his GP and was treated with different antibiotics after numerous chest x rays. They helped for a little while but the symptoms returned. It transpired it was a deep rooted infection in his lung and with the proper antibiotics cleared up within 3 days never to return. It took 18 months for him to get the right antibiotics and the consultant he saw said it had been covid related.

I don’t have any other symptoms bar a bit of fatigue and headaches.

These were also my husbands symptoms.

I have the feeling of food getting stuck and a weird feeling of gunky throat. I am a non smoker. Mines down to GERD and a hernia.
Hope you get sorted and keep on at doctors

Could also be an infected post nasal drip... if so, u will feel mucus go down throat then have a need to cough. It also causes throat to feel like its constricted