Please tell me if I'm being dramatic. I've had two chest infections in the past two months. First one cleared up at home on its own fine. Because I had a second one so early I thought I'll get this checked out because I shouldn't really be having two chest infections in one month. Both infections come with the common cold. Doc has subscribed me antibio's for my chest. Already today my mucus has went from a horrible dark green to almost white, but I don't know if that means I'm improving already. When the doc listened to my chest he said, 'I don't like the sound of your left lung'. And he wants to see me after the coarse of antibio's.Which has really got me worried if I'm honest. Being a new mom I can't help but look at my son and think how heart breaking it would be for him to grow up without me. Going out of my mind with worry. And crying daily I used to smoke so the first thing I worry about is cancer. But the symptoms for chest infections and lung cancer are so alike. That isn't helping! I would really love some advice and what people think anything to put my mind at ease a little!
Xx
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FreyaFrankie
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Don't panic a chest infection is nothing like lung cancer. With the latter you normally cough up blood, lose weight and have repeated chest infections (more than 2 in 2 months!). You would also find it very hard to breathe.
A chest infection is much more likely and much more common. Maybe it didn't fully clear up the first time and came back? This is common. The fact that the gunk is now white shows the infection has gone so that is good news. There probably nothing wrong with your lungs at all.
It is possible though if you are an ex-smoker that you have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) though this is quite rare under 40. I would ask your doctor for a chest x-ray which will indicate any problems. The main thing is not to worry about it. Even if you
have copd it will probably be mild and with the right treatment etc. you will live to see
your grandchildren grow up! Wait until you have seen the doctor again and see what
s/he says. Ok? x
Ps if there is any sign of lung disease come back in and we will help and support you all we can. Oh and please don't google copd indiscriminantly as you will scare yourself silly. Stick to recognised sites like this one. x
Thank you for your reply. I'm probably just over thinking things. I never normally have chest infections. Maybe just one a year. That's why 2 in two months has me a little worried, like you said I'll wait to see what the doctor says when I go back after I've finished my antibio's. The funk has gone from dark green and really gooey to almost white and loose so fingers crossed it's clearing up! So I can get back to a less worry free life xx
I agree that it's much more likely that you have a straightforward chest infection, Freya - lung cancer doesn't usually strike till you're very much older. I wish you well.
However, I'm worried about people here saying that, if someone had lung cancer, they'd be coughing up blood, losing weight etc as that isn't necessarily the case. I delayed going to my GP for 3 months when I had a slight tickly cough (coughing up absolutely nothing) and a vague feeling (I wasn't sure) that I was getting short of breath a tiny bit more easily.
I'd been misled by all the stuff about coughing up blood and losing weight. I turned out that I had a large (9 cm) tumour in my lower left lobe and a small one (different type) in the upper left lobe. I had my left lung removed in 2011 but have just found out that the cancer has returned in my right lung and several lymph nodes. I still have never coughed up blood and I still weigh what I normally do.
So, if anyone reading this has mild symptoms like mine, rather than the more dramatic ones, please get to your GP as soon as you can. They now say that a new or changed cough lasting 3 weeks means you should get checked.
I don't want to alarm anyone but, as with all cancers, the sooner it's found, the better.
Freya, you have my sympathies. I think you need to discuss your health with your GP. I was so unlucky for years, having many chest infections and always on antibs. I think you should ask for a referral to your respiratory consultant who will give you all the necessary tests. What helped me was azithromycin and I have been clear of any infections for a year now - touch wood. Ring the BLF nurse who is helpful and can advise you. Tel. no. is on the green bar somewhere!! Believe me, there is plenty that can be done. Wish you all the best - I know there is lots of help out there.
Just a thought, do you live in the USA - you used the word mom in which case some of my message might not apply. xx
Thank you for your reply. I'm in the uk. And I am probably just over thinking things, 2 chest infections in 2 months, I don't normally have them at all or maybe once a year, that's why I am a little worried, I'll wait to see what the doc says after I've finished the antibiotics! I hope I'll all be clear of this mess and I can resume a normal worry free life, to do with health anyway! Xx
The doctor has said to go back once I have finished my antibio's and he will asses me again, he seems convinced it's a chest infection. He just had me worried from saying he didn't like the sound of my left lung but my right one sounds fine. I will definitely follow anything up of I don't improve in a few days, I have no pain or discomfort except from the sore throat from coughing. Other than that I feel myself. But like I said if I don't improve in a few day I'll follow up my concerns.
Green to white means you're antibiotics are working Freya and that your infection is clearing up. One lung sounding a bit different to the other is not unusual. It probably means that the infection was more in your left lung then the right one and during chest infections there can be lots of crackly wheezy noises that can be heard with the stethoscope but you may not be aware of. I don't think there's any need for you to panic but having your lungs checked over makes conplete sense.
Hello FreyaFrankie, I can understand your concern being a young Mum, you are naturally worried for your little one..I think its great that your doctor is being thorough and hopefully he'll give you the all clear when you go back. Sometimes stopping smoking ( well done by the way! ) can make your emotions feel more intense but as time goes on you will feel the benefits of being healthier! There is power in positive thinking! Sending positive thoughts your way huff xxx
I agree that your infection is clearing up nicely. You will be feeling tired that is to be expected. Lung cancer is rare among young people. You would be losing weight quickly and coughing up blood if you had that. As you get older your resistance will get stronger. Try to avoid crowded places where there are people coughing their germs over you. It annoys me when I see it done with no attempt to cover the mouth. Carry a hand sanitiser and never touch food without washing your hands first.
There is,nt a fail safe antibiotic to treat lung infections so we sometimes need to try more than one course or type.It sounds like this one is working for you so don,t worry.Give it a few days and go back to doctor.You,re on the mend so cheer up.Regards D.
UPDATE: coughing a ton today really tickly back of throat. But not much coming off my chest? Hope this is a good thing? Still worrying uncontrollably about the worst
FreyaFrankie First, I want to say that at the end of November I had pseudomonas and at the end of December I had Mozarella!
Your lungs are fragile, but not hopless, especially as you show such good fight with the antibiotics and this mucus clearing.
Has teh doctor asked you for a CT scan oe Xray. Perhaps you could suggest this to him/her. When you have finished the current antibiotics, leave 48 hours and then ask for 3 sputum tests tobe done (this is what my consultant has done) to see if anything grows and to prevent any more bugs growing.
You are a strong mum. It's normal to be anxious and concerned about yor life. But first, see what the consulatan does. Ask if you can be referred to a pulmonary nurse. She would follow you more closely and give you advice about drugs, bugs and fears, perhaps more than the doctor will do. she can mention things that you would talk to her,s he can mention this in a concise way to the doc. Get yourself referred.
Also, to get more knowledge from the helplione her whould make yourself more knowledgeable. Knowledge is pwer! YOu can ask teh helpline what to ask your doctor before you go and see him.
here's the tel number: 03000 030 555
Hope you can alleviate those fears soon and get help.
UPDATE: day 4 of antibio's feeling a lot better in my self less sick, more appetite less tired. But I seem to be coughing up more phlegm today where's yesterday day 3 of antibio's I was hardly coughing and hardly coughing up phlegm? Any ideas feeling slightly confused?
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anything to put my mind at ease a little! 
bit worried 
Interstitial Lung disease...caused by rheumatoid arthritis
Bronchiectasis and weight loss
Anxiety twinges - post collapsed lung
Can't explain the feeling
