scared mother of 3 - Cancer: Lung Message Board

janiebee · 10-16-2006, 02:15 PM

Hello, I'm not reallly sure how to begin, I have been having problems now for about a year, pain in my chest, that just won't go away, I have been to the doctor with chest xrays, nothing. I started having seizures in March, diagnosed w/ epilepsy. Put on meds, seizures continually got worse, asked for second opinion. Saw another nuerologist, changed meds. About 2 months ago I got really sick, high fever, cough. This triggered a type and frequency of seizure that I had never experienced before, alot worse, causing me to miss work and a stay in the hospital which they found out I do not have epilepsy, but I do have non-epileptic seizures. I was misdiagnosed. Well, my concern is the pain in my chest is getting worse, constantly there, hard to explain. I have been having alot of problems with dizziness whenever I exert myself, climbing stairs, carrying groceries. I try doing breathing exercises and see stars, feel like I am going to pass out. I have been to the doctor 3 times in the past year for these pains in my chest and they either send me for chest x-rays or for ekgs and they don't show anything. I am currently on medical leave for the seizures, but every day I feel more unhealthy it is almost like a pressure sometimes and a stinging others, the feeling I have in my chest. I have another appointment with my family doctor tomarrow and would really appreciate any advice on what questions to ask, I am so tired of being sick and scared. Is it wrong of me to be concerned about lung cancer?

gilbert2001 · 10-16-2006, 08:26 PM

Hi there,

Chest pain can also be caused by pneumonia or fungus.
Before I was diagnosd I felt the kind of chest pain that you described.
X-ray shows very little and CT is the way to go.
If the CT shows something suspicious then bronchoscopy or biopsy is the next step.
Dizziness can be the result of low blood count and/or low blood pressure.
I have no experience with seizures.

And the unknown is indeed scary. Sadly, this board is for scared people - patients as well as their caregivers.

All the best,
Gil

rockie · 10-16-2006, 08:54 PM

Hi Janie...get a pulmonoligist...they are great at looking at the whole picture. Don't know where you live, but most major metro areas have a few good ones. They should be able to at least reassure you, if not guide you.

Good luck...Love
Jan

sadandscared28 · 10-17-2006, 02:25 PM

im so sorry to hear about everything you are going through.With my mom they found out about her cancer by checking her sodium.sodium being too low can cause seizures. I do think that is a very reutine test though so id be surprised if it hasnt been done yet.Im sure you are very scared but try not to think about the worst. good luck, and let us know

Janmarie2 · 10-17-2006, 03:35 PM

I do not know how many tests have been done but alot of your problems do sound like cardiac problems( a feeling of pressue in your chest especially when you are active, going up stairs etc is a classic sign of a clogged artery in your heart) and if all they are doing are EKG's they need to do more. Have they done a stress test on you? If not that might be something to ask for. If you are young do not let them get away with the old you are young and your female it's not your heart crap as that is not true, young females can have cardiac problems including heart attacks. A cat scan may also be something to ask about as then they could rule out things if it looks ok. Have you had brain CT since all these seizures? Don't let the doctors just dismiss you symptoms if this doctor doesn't want to run more tests find one that willl. I think if my mom had been more demanding when she first started having problems instead of calling hospice now she may be out enjoying her life now. I will include you in my prayers in hopes that they can find some answers for you. Good luck! JanMarie