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What could be wrong?

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I don't know if i have lung cancer or not.
I know i'm on a site where people are already supposed to have lung cancer... but no one believes me at home, (i'm 14... so that's why)
so i suppose asking here would be better.
I've had a problem with breathing, chest pain, coughing up pinkish red mucus, coughing, and wheezing. It's been going on a long while now, it's on and off. The longest time I've had the symptoms is eight weeks. it's starting again, but it's worse.
I'm just wondering what you guys think is wrong with me, and if you do have an opinion can you tell me how i figure out if i do?

Explore topics in this discussion:

Pneumonia Cancer Pain Allergies Lung cancer Stress

17 replies

Just go see your family doctor

I agree. Have someone take you to your doctor and ask for a least a chest x-ray. It is more then likely something else, but better to be safe I always say. Good luck and will keep you in my prayers.

Blessings,
Barb

Where are your parents? Do they know this? PLEASE tell them or someone- a teacher - whatever and be seen by a doctor.

My first thought is perhaps you have been inhaling something with fumes that are irritating the lining of your lungs?

Get help now.

Kailin63 .... by all means, go see a doctor and get this checked out. Don't ignore this... God Bless

If you are saying your parents at home don't believe you, then speak to someone either at school or your church. This needs to be checked with at least an x ray.

I know school is still out for summer, and hope you have someone else you can speak to. If you don't then call your doctor's office yourself and get an appointment.
I will be saying a prayer for you.
Marylou

I don't know the rules for minors, but maybe you could just walk into an emergency room at your local hospital and tell them you are having problems.

Pursue this until you do get help.

Khari

Hi,
wow, I see your situation in three different ways.
As a mother, I would be concern if my daughter was having these issues for this long. Now, question for you... do you have allergies? I know that when my daughters allergies flare up really bad, she gets the same symptons. We have taken her, and we know have a inhaler that helps with that. Please make sure that you tell your parents or even make a calender and put it on the refrigator and everyday that you are having problems, mark it there. They will see and then ask what those marks are and will get their attention.
So view is as a school district employee. I don't know where you go to school or what state, but I am pretty sure that most school will be opening up again at the end of August or the beginning of September. When you go back to school, if you have not been able to go to the doctor to get it checked out, go to a counsoler or the nurse or even your princpal and let them know what is going on. Make a list of the dates that you have been having breathing problems so that they can see the dates, the length of the problem and how many times a month it happens. We, as a school district employee, have a responiblity to report it and speak with the parents. If a student comes to us and says that they are in trouble, health or other, we have to get help. I know it sounds scary because you don't want to get your parents in trouble, but the school will help you.
The last view is as a concern person. I see that you have talked with your parents and "no one will listen." Have you tried to talk to your friends parents and see what they have to say? I know that when I was your age, I was able to go to my best friends parents a lot easier than my own parent.

All just a suggestion, but you need to get it checked out. It could not be that serious, just a infection that needs to be fixed. But, as the weather changes to fall and winter, the changes will make it harder on you.

Please keep us posted on what you decided and what happens.

Kat

Hi, What you need to do is TELL your parents you need to see a doctor, and if they say NO, then TELL them you are going to the ER and ask for help. Social Services may get involved if your parents are not giving you the proper care. The hospital will contact your parents and you will get sometype of testing done. At least an X-ray. Please stress to your parents your concern and get to a doctor. Please write us back when you get results, I pray that you are ok. Lung cancer is very rare in children, but it could be something else like an infection or allergies. Take care honey, get to a doctor somehow, Huggs, Karen

Everyone is right, you need to go and get checked up on, I also think a chest xray is something you need too, but knowing the way the doctors are, may not feel the same as we all do, but go anyway, and make the appointment with, or without your parents. It is your life and even though you are under the legal age, it is still you having the problem, and need to be reassured it is not something so bad as cancer. I think if you tell a friends parent, as someone suggested they could get involved and help, if not, any social service person would help you also, you can look it up in the phone book under social services and just call them. Tell them what is going on, and what to do from hjre. please get that help, and come back and let us know how you made out. God bless you.
Just to make you feel somewhat better, I had these symptoms and found out it was pneumonia, i didn't think about it as pneumonia, I thought my cancer had come back, so you are pretty smart in figuring out these can be symptoms of lung cancer, but alos other things as well.

God bless. Sandy

You have received excellent advice here.
Parents first.
Then doctor or ER.
Prayers and hugs for you from a teacher,
n

Hi Sweetums:
I'm sorry that nobody at home is taking this seriously. No body should cough up pinkish phlem or be coughing for no reason. This could be many things... infection, TB, Irritation... it's hard to say without seeing a doctor. The doc would need to draw some blood work and get a chest x-ray just to start. I hope that you will go see a doctor soon. And I pray to God that you do not 'need' to go through this nightmare. May you have a looooong and happy life my little friend!!
Bert

If by "no one believes me at home" you mean you've told your parents but they aren't responsive then you should insist they take you to a doctor even if they don't believe you. If that fails do as one poster suggested and walk into an emergency room and tell them the story. It's very unlikely you have lung cancer but you could have an infection and it needs to be treated. School will be starting soon so if this is not resolved by then go tell the school nurse and be sure she knows you haven't been able to see a doctor.

I know how it is to have people not believe its anything serious, that happened at the hospital with me because of my age. I'm only 18 so not much older than you.

They gave me loads of antibiotics and other medication so sort out my problem, without finding out first what it was. The problem was that I ws asymptomatic, no symptons whatsoever except pain when breathing every now and then.

The positive thing for you is that as you have symptons, they can test for things easier, they'll ask for a sample of your phlegm most likely, do blood tests etc and if they put you on anything they'll be able to tell sooner if its working or not because of changes to your symptons.

Even speaking from experiencing lung cancer young, the chances of you having it are very low, but it will make you feel better and reassured to go get whatever it is sorted as soon as possible.

I don't know how things work in America, but over here I've been taking myself to the doctors and even the hospital for many years now, and they will listen if you insist.

Ruth x

Yes honey get some help and PLEASE let us know what happens. We will be waiting to hear. K

I can't believe your parents aren't taking this seriously. I am a mother to a 14 yr old boy and despite any problems I am having, he comes first. He has told me the other day that he is having chest pains every now and then and that he feels a lump in his chest area, so I have immediately made him an appt. We go Mon. morning. So don't waste any time. Do whatever it takes to get to the doctor before things get worse? Good luck and I'll say a prayer for you. Karen

Sweetie - you are 14 years old - where are your parents?????? Get yourself to a doctor as soon as you can - if your parents are not around tell one of your teachers at school - what has this world come to when a 14 year old CHILD needs to come to on-line support board to get attention......OMG
Karen

if mom and dad are worried about the expense, tell them that most university hospitals will work with them and what they can afford. something is definately wrong, so you need to see a doc, even if it isnt lung cancer.

ill be keeping you in my prayers.
deb

ps. if you cant talk to a teacher or social worker at school, maybe a pastor or priest at your local church? just a suggestion, but you need to find someone that will take you seriously, regardless of where that person comes from.

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