I'm absolutely consumed with worry that I have lung cancer

[Imafuckingselfishidiot]

I'm 36. Smoked for about 16 years. About 10 a day but more when going out etc.
I was diagnosed with costochondritis a couple of years ago which causes chest pain.
It's back this week but I've convinced myself there's something wrong with my lungs.
I had an MRI a month ago as I had an issue with a spinal disc. Would anything have been picked up on that?
My chest pain is worse when I move and breathe deeply.
I have a bit of a cough, left over from a nasty infection a while ago but I'm not coughing anything up.

Honestly I just hate myself right now. What an absolute selfish idiot smoking! I have a child! How could I be so stupid, putting my child at risk of losing a parent.

I can't think of anything else right now. I feel like I'm losing the plot a bit. I have been to the GP so many times lately with other unconnected issues that Im worried they'll just fob me off for bring a hypochondriac.

What is the likelihood of lung cancer at 36?
I would be so grateful if some advice, but please don't chastise me for smoking I already know what an absolutely stupid and selfish idiot I am.

Bumping. Any advice please? I'm really struggling today

Be upfront, go to your GP and tell them your concerns for them to investigate, and then ask for support stopping smoking!

Yes I'll make an appt in the morning. I'm just terrified

And I say that to minimise the risk of you feeling this way again in the future x good luck x

Thank you xxx I'm so disappointed in myself. My child deserves better.

Go and see your GP, say upfront that is your worry.

It is incredibly unlikely you have lung cancer but this will hopefully make you really motivated to stop smoking and there is a lot of support to do that.

Good luck.

Thank you xx I'm just worried they won't take me seriously as I've had so many health issues lately, all genuine and needing treatment but nevertheless I can't help but think they'll roll their eyes when I turn up at their surgery yet again

sorry you are going through this! Don't worry about what the doctors think. Have you had a chest x ray? I think they can tell from that. go to the doctors and don't worry if they think you are a hypochondriac. Doctors so often do not give clear diagnosis. It is not the patient's fault if you need to go a bunch of times. I have breathing issues too which are hard to figure out and not a clear diagnosis. I had a chest x ray ( just prior to this recent 5 weeks of difficulty with breathing so I may need another one). I think you should ask for the chest x ray. hope you feel better soon. don't beat yourself up about smoking. We all do the best we can until we know better. We all do countless dumb things that harm ourselves, by accident sometimes many times. I sure have. hope you feel better.

Go today and hopefully put your mind at ease.
Honestly OP I think you have anxiety. It's the responsibility of being a parent perhaps?

Thank you so much for your kindness this place is full of so many wonderful people.
I've managed to get a GP appt this morning. Will I need to push for an xray do you think?
I barely slept last night, the pain is so much worse today. So worried

Fuck. Docs thinks a possibility is a clot on my lung because I've had 3 GA surgeries in space of 6 weeks

You'll need a CT scan and bloods to rile that put. Glad you went to GP.
Get well soon Op

There’s a clear diagnosis pathway and treatment for a clot I think so hopefully you should be on the way to getting sorted x all the luck in the world x

Thank you everyone. What a tough day.
Xray and bloods came back clear. Have to go back in the morning for ct scan to check for clots. Now to get through the evening without sending myself barmy
Thank you for all your help

so you don't have a clot? and x rays are clear? that is good news! good for you for facing it and going to the doctor. Have you managed to quit smoking? just keep plugging away with the doctors until you get a clear diagnosis , I am in the process of that myself. They give little bits and pieces but you have to orchestrate it. I hope you feel better and I am glad the bloodwork and x rays are clear- isn't that a good sign? but of course you still feel bad. I know.

oh sorry misread your post because I have just been to the hospital myself checking on my own lung issues, and they told me the blood test was to check for clots so I thought yours was clear. good luck tomorrow with the ct scan-- I hope it is all good, and good that you are facing it all bravely so you can get better from here on out. Let us know how it goes.

If a clot in the lung is suspected you really should have been seen and scanned immediately ime.

Thank you all for your support, you've been brilliant
Yes bloods and xray came back ok, ct scan is scheduled for this morning. I was given a warfarin shot yesterday to err on the side of caution until then.
Fingers crossed, I'll report back x

Was your scan clear flowers?

Sorry, I meant your bloods. Head is everywhere!

Good luck

Good luck today

Hope you are ok OP x

How's things op?

Hiya, sorry for the delay. I'm doing OK. Had ct scan, no clots thank god, found an infection which has flared up costochondritis. So antibiotics and naproxen for now. Chest is still really painful but so utterly relieved it's nothing serious.
Thank you so much for all your support. You kept me sane! xxx

How are you doing flowergarden2?