Feel like everything is going downhill and I have a serious disease..help :(

[melissac]

Sorry, I will preface this by saying it is going to be long.  If anyone has the time to read I of course would be grateful.  When I was 22 (now 37) I had an accident where I broke my jaw and went through a lot of years of jaw recovery and dental work (still doing dental work).  I also then suffered from panic attacks which I was able to overcome with CBT.  I was a smoker, quit around 27.  I had a smoking relapse last year for about 6 months due to stress.  Anyways, on to last year I developed a sore throat that wouldn't go away.  I ended up going to the doctor who couldn't find anything wrong, and then sent to an ENT who did a chest and neck X-ray, and looked down my throat with a camera and didn't find anything. Put me on antibiotics. Felt better on and off, but the sore throat still comes and goes.  It has been 9 months now. Of course I was convinced I have throat cancer and still do.  Now this past week I have had horrible headaches and when I breathe deeply my chest hurts and is extremely constricted.  I also have back and neck oain,  I am convinced that I do have cancer of some sort and it is just spreading and I feel awful all over.  I keep hearing stories of people (coincidence?) who know someone who was diagnosed with cancer and dies 3 or 4 months later, and I am convinced that is what is happening to me, since I have not had a ct scan or MRI or anything ...anything other than and X-ray.  I have two little boys and all I can think of everyday is them growing up without me, and I have even been writing them letters to tell them how much I love them.  I am worried they won't remember me.  My husband is tired of hearing about all my ailments that he of course thinks are all in my head, so I can't talk to him about it anymore.  I can't just keep going to the doctor because we have a $5000 deductible and no coverage except for preventative visits.  I feel like I am never taken seriously at any doctor because of my past anxiety issues - last time I went to my GP I saw right at the top of my chart "U seeking issues...anxiety" so they all look at me like I am nuts regardless.  It would be one thing if I wasn't really experiencing the physical pain, but I AM.  I wish just one day I could feel good all over.  I don't know, just feel helpless and lost, and unless I get a full body scan I will never be convinced I am ok.  Am I crazy or do I have legitimate concerns?

[rr2005]

First of all, your quitting smoking that long ago severely decreased your chances of getting lung cancer. Secondly, it would be very rare for someone your age to get lung cancer even if you'd been smoking all along. Thirdly, I worked with a heavy smoker who got lung cancer in her 60's) and her symptoms were nothing like yours. I understand about needing someone to talk to. My husband is tired of hearing it, and gets irritated with me instead of being supportive when I'm struggling. I would find a new doctor. Even if it's nothing but allergies or something similar (which I'm sure it is), you need someone who will take your concerns seriously and treat you with respect. Good luck to you!

[v0y4ger]

My hubby is the same, I only told him I was joining this site and he went off on one of his "What's wrong with you now" lectures.  Non Hypos don't get it, they never will it's just a fact.

I don't hold it against my hubby I just know he doesn't understand.

I'm your age and also an on and off smoker, the latest relapse was a week ago.  I had the sore throat thing and had all the cameras etc a while back. My doctor told me it was reflux, basically it's stomach acid coming back up and burning your throat while you sleep (us worriers tend to produce a lot of stomach acid). Get yourself a few packs of very cheap antacid tablets and take them for a few weeks to see if that helps control things a little.

Please let us know how you get on.

You're with friends on this site and we'll all be here as long as you need us.