Back in December i got sick with a cold that seemed like it had never went away, was on antibitoics and developed a cough. The cough hasnt been 24/7 but it is there, still present 2 months later. upper and lowe back pain sometimes, I have had a spirometry test which showed that after i got the inhaler during the test it improved lung function by 70%. It doesnt really hurt to take a deep breath, but i do feel as if im shorter of breath than normal. i am a very active 23 year old male, play sports and workout 5-6x a week, non-smoker as well. My health anxiety of course keeps telling me "you have lung cancer and you are going to die" then the logical side tells me that I am fine. I did have an xray of my chest and shoulder by my ortho dr for different reasons but he said my lungs looked fine. Does anyone have any input? Worry like this takes over my life, I wont leave the bed it makes me depressed because I think I have an undiagnosed disease thats going to kill me....):
Hi quinton I am sorry that this is causing you so much distress. I almost always developed a cough after I had a cold or flu and it lasts for months. I had whooping cough 3 times and the cough lasted even longer. I still have a bit of a cough now and then but nothing to worry about. If your lungs are fine then I wouldnt worry about lung cancer and its more susceptible in those who smoke unless you smoke of course. If you are really worried you can always get a full blood count done and other tests to ease your worries. I know health anxiety can be debilitating and seems that every negative test feels wrong and you think that they must have missed something as I am the same way. I hope you feel better soon.
keep in mind that your negative thoughts are not based on fact or reality. they come from anxiety, which is irrational.
coughs can last very long, months and months, without being serious. i know a friend who had your symptoms and had a lingering cough for a year! ALL IS WELL!
99.9 % of lung cancer is from smoking. there is no reason for you to have it especially at your age.
xray would definetly see it…You are safe.
the docs see this daily and know when to do further testing.
You should concentrate now on staying hydrated, eating very healthy, and anxiety management.
I WORRIED FOR DECADES LIKE YOU ARE DOING NOW AND BELIEVE ME IT WASNT WORTH IT! THE VAST MAJORITY OF SYMPTOMS ARE NOT SERIOUS! I WASTED SO MANY DAYS THAT I WILL NEVER GET BACK!
NOW I GET MY YEARLY CHECK UP AND IF ALL IS WELL I GET ON WITH MY LIFE AND ENJOY IT!
SO THE ISSUE ISNT YOUR SYMPTOMS, ITS THE FEAR AND ANXIETY.
THINK ABOUT TALKING WITH A COUNSELOR WHO CAN HELP YOU MANAGE THIS.
It can consume your thinking if you let it. you are in control of your thoughts, just need to learn how.
Listen to great audios on you tube for anxiety. , overthinking, fear etc. Stay busy.
TAKE CARE OF YOU!
I wouldn’t worry, the chances of getting lung cancer at your age is exceedingly small, especially as you are active and a non-smoker. Try sole mindfulness technique. If you start to find yourself dwelling on your worries, gently guide your mind back to what you are doing at the time.