Chronic Cough

Mental health
1

Hi guys, so for the last month to 6 weeks I have had a cough. To give some background, around this time I felt like I had a lump in my throat for several days. I was a wreck and totally panicked. I went to the doctor and she checked my thyroid with blood tests and had me swallow while she felt the gland. Everything came back normal. About a week later, the lump feeling subsided, but my daughter brought home a cold. I got the cold and when I was sick I read somewhere that a sign of thyroid cancer is a chronic cough. Honestly, I can't remember how much I coughed before this time. I wasn't focused on it, so it never seemed to be a problem to me. I assumed I had a cough related to the cold, but it has been about a month since I was sick and I am still coughing.

This morning I saw an article about Dog the Bounty Hunter's wife having cancer. I never watched the show, so I guess I was reading it because it was about cancer. It turns out her cancer is throat cancer and it was diagnosed from her having an unexplained cough for months. So I am now in a complete panic. I can't get to the doctor for 2 weeks when I am supposed to check back in on my anxiety medication. I made the mistake of looking up causes for chronic cough online as well and none of the causes seem to fit. My family has a history of lung cancer that has taken the lives of three relatives. I was a full time smoker for about 5 years and then off and on for another 4, but haven't had any in about 13 years. My family has all sorts of lung issues too.

I just want to know I am not dying. I have been through the ringer this year with thoughts that I have cancer. First it was breast cancer, then lymphoma, then thyroid cancer, now I am thinking lung or throat cancer. I am so sick of this up and down roller coaster!

2

Hiya,

You said your doctor checked your thyroid and it all came back normal. Try not to second guess that as it will always make you feel worse. Googling or reading about your symptoms is also a no no, a cough can be caused by numerous things. Do you work full time? Do you take much time off to rest? Viruses can hang around for weeks and weeks, i know it takes me absolutely ages to fully get rid of a cough or a cold when i have one.

Just try not focus on it because that is always going to make it feel a million times worse and you'll probably start convincing yourself that you need to cough when you actually don't. You could always go back to the doctors and have them check your thyroid again to put your mind at rest. Although there's only so many times they can do the same test with the same result!

3

Thanks Georgina, I know that I might be causing this cough to continue because of my anxiety.  I have been doing really well lately turning off these negative thoughts, but it just hit me like a ton of bricks this morning. I think I have reached an age in life where I wil have odd little things crop up because I am getting older. I have to find a way to manage it better.