VeryDistressed

There's members here that I'm sure can help better than I, ... yet, As mentioned in the prior messages above I think the term is "clubbing." Its been associated with LC, or cancer in general (as well as many other syndrome or conditions.) Here's a link to an explanation, pictures, etc. http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/003282.cfm

Okay, went to the doctor's appointment today. He insisted on doing blood work and another chest x-ray. I requested a copy of his report so I could start keeping a record of this things. (thax Fay) They scheduled an appointment for the follow-up tests to be done on the 20th. Thanks again everyone for helping me out on this situation. The following is the report I received today, anything "stand out" or not sound right (whats ROS or NAD?) Review of systems: General: Some anorexia. Some weight loss. No fevers or chills. Pulmonary: No shortness of breath. Cough occasionally productive of slightly bloody sputum. Cardiac: Some chest pain the right upper chest with no shortness of breath. No exertional chest pain, dyspnea or diaphoresis. Gastrointestinal: Anorexia. No nausea vomiting or diarrhea. Past medical history: Ref: Apr./03 chart for ROS. Social history: Patient is a smoker. He denies alcohol or illicit drug use. Physical Examination: NAD Vital signs: Reviewed nurses notes. Pulmonary: Clear to auscultation and percussion. Chest: No tenderness to palpation. 1 axillary node on right side which measures approximately 2 cm in length and is smooth. 1 axillary node on right side measures approximately 1 cm in length, smooth. Neither are tender. Both mobel. Minimal findings on palpation of left axilla. No definite nodes noted. Cardiac: Regular rhythm w/o murmur gallop or rub. Abdomen: Soft. Bowel sounds normal. Nontender. No guarding or rebound. Treatment: Chest x-ray: Reviewed by physician. No pneumothorax. Significant COPD. No mass. CBC: WBC 5.1 hemoglobin 14.9. Medical decision making: This 33-year-old male has COPD. The patient has some anorexia and weight loss. I do not see evidence for pulmonary tumor. However I am concerned about a right axillary lymph node. Patient requires referral and follow-up concerning possible biopsy of node. Patient insists on CT imagery, requires referral. Diagnosis: weight loss. Chest pain. Disposition: No smoking. Follow-up with referrals. Ultram 50mg every 3 to 4 hours as need for pain. #25. Keflex 500mg 4 times daily. #40. Return if worse.

Wow, what can I say but I'm impressed and sincerely appreciate all the responses I have received. I was worried I wouldn't receive any advise.... Honestly, thank you all again. To answer a few questions that were posed, ... I live in Kansas. I informed my wife that I posted here about my situation, and she felt I neglected an important fact .... I have been coughing up large amounts of phlem (mainly in the morning hours) that is defiantly brown in color, yet sometimes includes red streaks or has a overall pinkish tone. During my visit to the Topeka, KS emergency room, they did not perform a CT scan. The attending physician told my wife he was "concerned about possible lung cancer" and asked if I was having "tan colored stools." (I didn't know about that until just this morning.) He also told my wife, "I didn't see any tumors on the radiographs, but he's got COPD." I'm not sure it makes any difference at all, (if someone can tell me I'd appreciate hearing about it....) Does this information mean something, or since it wasn't a CT scan is the information invalid? If he didn't see any tumors does that mean its likely they are small if there? Can lung cancer be seen in a x-ray for that matter most of the time? After reading your messages, I called our regular doctor this morning and said I wanted a CT scan done of my chest and abdomen area. He wants to see me at 9:30 AM tomorrow. I got the feeling that he didn't think it was necessary, yet at this point I really done care anymore .... I'll admit it, (something that's hard for me to do) I'm scared to death! I have a family, a very good little boy, and feel a huge responsibility to do what I can to figure this situation out for them. I will keep you all posted on what transpires. Again, (I cant say this enough) thank you for offering advise when many of you have your own situations to deal with. I feel my situation is nothing compared to what some of you have faced (or are currently facing) I want it to be known that your helpfulness is not in vane, .. its very very much appreciated. P.S. I've decided that I'm going to try to stop smoking starting on the 13th. Tomorrow I intend to ask the doctor about the patch. I just hope I can do it.... I fear I'll not be able too.

First and foremost, I apologize if this message is inappropriate, I really don't know where else to turn. I sincerely need some advise, help, direction, or something. ... I'm about ready to loose my mind over all this. I've been ill for approx. 1.5-2 years, and cant seem to get a doctor to take me serious. My symptoms were as follows, ...... Started having a overall tired and "run down feeling", unintended weight loss from 135lbs. to 118lbs within a 9 month time frame. One swollen lymph node in my right armpit, and once in a great while in the genital area (but they would reduce after a few days), light right side chest pain, and a feeling of fullness. I went to our local general practice doctor and he performed blood work and thyroid test, yet said there wasn't anything abnormal that he found. Nothing changed for a few months, so I went back a second time, ... he again did blood work, again reporting he found nothing concerning. I lost a few more pounds since last visit. I communicated my sincere distress that I might have lung cancer due to the fact that I have been a heavy smoker (clove cigarettes, 2+ packs a day) for 17-18 years. He said I was "too young for something like that" (I'm currently 34, 35 in 12/03), yet I should quit smoking. I insisted that he take a chest x-ray for no other reason then to under my stress, and he did.... reporting nothing was "abnormal." After living with these same symptoms with no improvement at all, a family member suggested I drive to the Capital city's emergency room (we live in a very small town) to be checked out. When I arrived, the attending doctor took chest x-rays, ran a EKG, performed blood work (I think he called it a "CBC and chem panel") and even a blood culture. His diagnosis? -- I had a profound case of "COPD." I was told to follow up with my regular doctor concerning the swollen lymph nodes (now I have the same large one in my right arm pit, and a number of small one in my left arm pit.... as well as two on each side of my neck) and abdominal pain/fullness (before I could not describe where it was actually coming from... now I can feel a hard area right below my ribcage on the right side.) I made another appointment with our local doctor, and he performed "blood work" again,..... and again conveyed he found nothing of concern. He did ask me if the pain was greater after eating fatty foods..... I said the pain doesn't get worse at all... its always the same uncomfortable feeling. He said it was probably "gastritis." I just didn't agree, and still feel its more then that. A friend recommend that I see her doctor, with I have. He too did blood work and said "I think your just fine." I'm sincerely concerned as I feel worse than I ever have before. Tired all the time, the right side hard area under my ribcage is always uncomfortable, chest pain is more prevalent, etc. If you can help I would be very grateful as I'm starting to think no one really cares or is taking this seriously. I have a 19 month old son I dearly love and I owe it to him to do whatever I can to prevent/deal with this the best I can. Thank you and God bless.