problem that the doctors have overlooked. Like mesothelioma becuase my father was a smoker for 40 years but also was exposed to asbestos for about 30 years working as a mechanic. Plus there is asbestos in the house he has lived in for 30 years. \n\nhe has been to two doctors and both have said it is emphesema. \n\nhe has not smoked in 2-3 years. his symtoms are stabbing pain in right side of chest, neck, and right arm that has been constant for three years. his cheeks and neck get hot. sensitivity to light. the main thing that worries me is the right arm and neck being included in the pain. if someone could tell me that this is normal we would both feel alot better. thanks
206531
Emphysema falls under the umbrella term of "COPD", which stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Other diseases that fall under this umbrella include asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc. \n\nWhen one's breathing is comprimised, that means that they are not getting enough oxygen into their body's tissues. That, in turn, can make the heart try to compensate by working harder to provide more oxygen. So, sometimes this can cause pain for a number of reasons. The alveoli in the lungs of a person with emphysema are not working properly, the heart may be overworking and the nerves may be more hypersensitive to messages of pain.\n\nHowever, if you are concerned, because he has had unremitting chest/neck/arm pain for 3 years, than I think that it is perfectly reasonable to see a cardiologist for an opinion regarding his heart.\n\nI hope this helps.
269923
why do you want people to contact you if their relatives contracted this disease?  My sister got Legionnaires Disease in 84 or 85 (I think) and she became very ill.  She did live but has had diminished lung function ever since.  It was explained to me as like having a very bad case of pneumonia that does not always respond to treatment and that they could treat her symptoms but not cure the disease so she would basically live or she would die.  At the time she still had 2 minor children and we were all in a panic.  \n\nBut on a funny side note:  she actually got the disease from a dirty air conditioner vent while she worked as a waitress in a VFW club! ha! Legionaries disease from a VFW club! ha!
71154
I have heard of people living off of one lung, but your best bet would be to talk to the doctor at the hospital. He/She im sure would be more then glad to tell you everything you need to know... Hope he gets well soon!
426303
Pretty scarey stuff. \n\nI had never heard of COPD when the pulmonologist said I had it. I also was diagnosed with the asthma. According to all the info I could find, COPD was either emphysema or chronic bronchitis. The pulmonologist assured me I had asthma COPD. Then I tried to find information on the life expectancy; all I could find was that it's the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. and did, indeed, sound as though my time left was seriously short. After a lot of exploration and talking with others having COPD, I determined that everyone is different. Johnny Carson died of emphysema at 85. He had had it for at least the past 20-30 years.\n\nI was diagnosed three years ago and the doctor suggested from my history of pneumonia, colds, etc, that I had had this condition for many years. In 1996 I had to have a company physical and flunked the spirometry test. I was told that people often have the condition for years before it is properly diagnosed. As HMOs are prone to do, they determined a specialist was unnecessary and the family practitioner prescribed inhalers, steroids, asthma medication, etc. for every incident of flareups. \n\nI would have told you three years ago my time was very limited. Would have bet no more than a year or so. Actually, now that my medication has been adjusted to necessary levels, I feel better than I have in years. I went from oxygen 24/7 to now only when I sleep and exercise. I go to the healthplex and use the treadmill and pool often. I amaze myself at how much I have improved with a little exercise. \n\nMy doctor does recommend I keep my pnuemonia and flu shots up to date and steer clear of anyone with a cold to lessen the chance of exacerbation. The asthma medication can have a side effect of depression, so be alert to that. We especially don't need to slump into a depression. I do take an anti-depressant because finding out I had the condition really hit me hard and coupled with the medication, well, I need it. Attitude is a big determinant in COPD's severity on a person.\n\nAbsolutely no one can tell you how much time you have left whether because of COPD or anything else. You're not going to be doing any more mountain climbing or run the Boston Marathon, but it is so important to live each day to the fullest.  There's still plenty you can do, and you will probably live a long, productive life as long as you aren't your own worst enemy and just give up.
566520
restrictive fibrosis -- hmm... has your father been exposed to fire and heat  (is he a fireman?) because i know pulmonary fibrosis is like "scarring of the lung" -- the lungs has been exposed to an environment that has "burned" it (one example) and the lungs created new scar tissues, attempting to repair it. the only down side is, the reason why it's called restrictive, is because it prevents your dad from taking deep breaths. these scar tissues are pretty strong -- they're not elastic. that's why... and when you don't take deep breaths, this could increase your risk of getting pneumonia.\n\nthis kind of disease is irreversible (meaning we cannot cure it) but there are therapeutic ways to help him breath effectively and prevent pneumonia. most probably, your father's doctor will teach him these therapeutic measures to help him. so don't worry. the only thing you need to worry about is, he has to do these things religiously, and also he has to take good care of his health because many complications may arise, if he doesn't.\n\nwhew! it's been a while since i last studied this. i apologize if i wasn't any helpful. i need to dust off those books again and start reading.
109975
It could be a number of things. I do know that the patients that were post op from that surgery that I had had a lot of pains in their chest and back. Please make sure he is bringing the pains to his oncologist attention! and that it hasn't spread through his body... I am sorry that he is sick and I wish you all the best
408893
You need to have the Doctor make a written Diagnosis. Ask him if you are considered to be disabled medically, if so;  then go to your Social Security office and apply for disability you can work part time with this if you are able. But at least it would give you the status necessary to receive State health care through Medicaide. You need help now because emphysema may not get worse, but it does not improve enough to feel normal either. So you need to learn to live with certain constraints. Good Luck! I forgot to tell you-- You must go to a Pulmonologist!! They are the only ones qualified to diagnose this! I feel for you, I went in for an inhaler prescription cause I was abusing the over the counter Bronk-aid, like every 2 hrs. I needed it, well- instead I was diagnosed end stage. I use oxygen at night, supposed to 24/7--I take it to the park, started walking, cause you need to keep exercising, I used to exercise obsessively, but last year I couldn't even go to the mail box without being out of breath and it progressed very bad after that, with combivent and albuterol I manage- I am allergic to Advair and Spireva, get hives and breathing gets worse! Dr's. want you to take all this! It's not their body getting the side effects and still the same prognosis! So I do what I can. Hang in! God Bless.
326549
Hi Bville, \n\nYou boyfriend is experiencing the symptoms of a lot different illnesses, ranging from mild to severe. The best way for him to know what is going on is to be seen by a doctor. If he does not have insurance, perhaps you could be seen by the county health department or a low cost clinic? Don't let lack of health insurance get in the way of your health.\n\nI don't know how old you boyfriend is but lung cancer usually is diagnosed in older people. However, there are some cases where younger people are being diagnosed. Each person's body reacts differently to cigarette exposure, so you can't really give it a time frame of how long someone has smoked or how many per day.\n\nBest of luck to you and your boyfriend, \nLisa Fayed\nhttp://cancer.about.com
438595
My 17 year old has cancer but other than fluid build up, he has always been asymptomatic. He did feel his cancer though, but we didn't know what it was. He kept feeling a hard lump in the abdominal area and asked what it was. I didn't know but kind of dismissed his concern. I did feel ill at ease though, but I couldn't put my finger on why. You just don't expect a healthy athletic kid to have abdominal cancer, you have nothing to compare the experience to.  Unfortunately, a month later he was diagnosed with stage IV cancer.\n\nThere are many types of cancers that give no warning signs at all and can progress to a stage IV without symptoms. If you have a feeling that something is wrong, than you need to act on that instinct.\n\nIt is probably best for you to go have a complete physical and mention your concerns to the doctor.\nWhen we were first trying to figure out what was wrong with him, nothing made any sense and in hindsite we should have been communicating more with his pediatrician. So talk to your doctor. Tell him why you feel this way and insist that he take you seriously.\n\nI will always regret not taking my sons comments that something was wrong as seriously as I should have.\n\nAsymptomatic Illness\nhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002217.htm\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asymptomatic\n\nSome examples of some asymptomatic cancers:\nOvarian, cervical, skin, testicular, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers
336195
First teh AHA primarily deals with heart disease.  You may be refering to the American Lung Association, which deals w/ lung ca.  I work in the largest and perhaps best cancer hospital in the world, and do research on cancer (but not lung).  I think everyone should look at the evidence about what causes lung cancer.  Sure, everyone knows a story about such and so smoked their whole life and didn't get ca.  However, smoking definately promotes lung ca, there is so much evidence for this.  Further, lung ca has increased recently, in correlation with worsening air pollution.  Essentially all you can say is, well, I'll smoke and if i get lung ca, so be it.  But know that your chances for getting ca soares, something like 30 fold above non-smokers.  And lung ca is very very difficult to treat, because it presents everywhere, and it's refractory to treatment.  But you shouldn't feel like health professionals are telling you what you can and can't do.  But because of research we know the mechanisms that increase susceptibility to lung ca, and smoking is the major one.
406307
The smoking at his dad's house sounds like it is off and on. I wouldn't worry about that.\n\nThe chaw is what most concerns me.  He can get cancer of the lip, tongue, mouth or larynx.  All disgusting cancers because it affects the face, speech and breathing.  \n\nCancer of the larynx would require a laryngectomy and he'd have to use one of those fake electronic voice things for the rest of his life.
329007
It is true that cigarette smoking is the #1 cause of chronic bronchitis. Even though she doesn't smoke now, did she used to? If not, then the next most common causes are repeated repiratory infections as a child and atmospheric pollutants(such as sulfur and nitrogen). It is characterized by excessive mucus production,chronic inflammation and swelling of the small airways, and bronchospasm(to name a few).There is no cure, but there are maintenance drugs and therapies, as well as lifestyle changes to help alleviate some of the symptoms. It is best for her to stay away from cigarette smoke and other inhaled irritants. She should also avoid contact with people who have an existing respiratory infection(especially influenza). Yearly influenza immunizations are strongly recommended, as well as a pneumococcal vaccine every five years. Her doctor may put her on a bronchodilator(such as albuterol, or ipratropium bromide)to induce bronchial smooth muscle relaxation, and/or a mucolytic(acetylcysteine)to enhance mobilization of secretions(mucus). If the mucus accumulation is bothersome or she is unable to produce an effective cough, bronchial hygiene would be helpful. Something easily done at home is chest percussion. Have her lay on her back, and with a cupped hand, pound(carefully but forcefully)all areas of her back. Then have her roll onto each side, raising her arm above her head and do the same thing. This will help loosen the mucus that is impacted in her airways so she can cough it up and will also help her breathe better. If she is not already she may need to be on oxygen, even at home. If you want to do something for her, help her get educated on the disease she has, it's process, and things she can do to manage it. Also make sure that she is following her doctor's orders! Hope this helps! Good luck and I wish her well!
16917
My Dad had this. I think it depends on if other areas/organs are involved & how involved.  I hope the person who you are inquiring about will be okay. Originally that had told my Dad 2-15 years but it depends on many things.  Have you looked into the steroid treatments? You can look up the American Cancer Society online and see if there are any clinical trials of different things in your area.  Good Luck to you and yours.  God Bless.
515586
go see the doc , don't worry he sees this stuff all the time , if it's cancer - the sooner the better the worst that can happen now is you be 1 stone lighter , if you  leave it there could be really intense chemo & all that fun stuff & it could even kill you \n\nGO TO THE DOC ASAP\ncheers:\npaul  :-}
292721
macro-lobulated mass, I pressume you mean.\n\nThis is bad, it is likely cancer.  Tissue is the issue, no answer until they have a tissue diagnosis.  If he smokes, then it is likely very bad news.\n\nBiopsy is everything, but odds are not great.  Anything other than cancer is going to have a pretty good prognosis, and thus not worth discussing until the biopsy is done.
355262
With all the adenopathy and atelectasis (collapsed parts of the lung) I would be very concerned about the findings.  Have you lost weight?  Are you more tired than usual?  Are you coughing?  Did they do any lab work also?  \nI am sure your doctor is going to refer you for more tests.  You may need biopsies (tissue samples) also.  \nMake a list of your questions & concerns before you go to the doctor and bring the list w/ you.  If at all possible, have a friend or family member got to the vist with you.  When we are anxious, we tend to forget what was said.  \nGood luck to you!
534990
Well my father didnt go to the doctor because he kept saying "its just bloomin heart burn, stuff doctors" then one night at the dinner table that was the last time he complained about it, he had a massive heart attack and didnt even make it to hospital. Please please just go to the doc and maybe if its indigestion they could treat that and you wouldnt get pains anymore.