Do you think I have cancer?

nicknrm · New User Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 2

Below is a real, sincere post question. I've been freaking out about a serious problem, so please read and respond. I've given you my entire story...by the way, I'm always skeptical of the doctor's accuracy...so I always find ways to contradict them to get them to do further research into everything Smile

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Well, I have been having pain in my right arm (mostly fingers) and some mild tingling in the pinky. This started on Thursday June 18, following some mild tingling I had on Wednesday the night before.

The pain is still there, even after visiting the doctor the following Monday. His explanation was muscle spasms...he gave me Ibuprofen (which I refuse to take) and sent me on my way. He suggested icing my shoulder 3 times a day for 15 minutes each time. He then said it should go away in a week. I had set a follow up appointment with him that is scheduled for this coming Monday (2 weeks from last visit).

The pain is occasional, not constant. It comes and goes and I haven't been able to associate it with movements (meaning it doesn't get worse if I move a certain way). The tingling comes and goes and is mainly in my pinky...now in both hands. The pain is also in both arms too, now.

The pain is mild and really doesn't make me not able to sleep and I can do normal activities.

I am also having some new things: sometimes my ears/jaw hurts really bad temporarily for no known reason. I have also noticed that my ears feel clogged temporarily for NO REASON. Then it goes away. I also have temporary shortness of breath now, which also goes away shortly.

My body feels great other than the above issues. When I'm doing something, like my job, I'm busy and don't notice much pain at all...if I get my mind on some indepth topic, it doesn't hurt.

Am I a hypochondriac or could this be an ER emergency? Any tips?

By the way, I do the icing, which offers temporary relief. I won't do ibuprofen, I'm deathly afraid of it's side effects..and plus it is 600MG. Tylenol temporarily relieves pain but according to doctor "it won't help the inflamation factor"

I've also used a chiropractor...which hasn't helped.

I'm a 16 male (almost 17, August 1st) by the way.

Please respond!

Karieileen · New User Joined: 17 Jun 2009 Posts: 9

The best thing you can do for yourself is to stop worrying and trust your doctor. He prescribed ibuprofen for a reason, and I wonder which side effects you are afraid of? Most (like the stomach problems) can be prevented if you take the drug as directed, e.g. on a full stomach with plenty of water. Don't overdose, either, and don't take it constantly. The drug can help, though. But, if you are afraid of it, then you'll have to find another way to deal with this problem. Tylenol won't help like ibuprofen, your doctor is right about that.

However, if you don't believe it's muscle spasms, realize that cancer isn't the logical jump from here. A doctor is more likely to look at pinched nerves or hormone problems or something much simpler. Keep in mind that the other symptoms you've mentioned generally aren't life threatening, as far as I know. For all you know, the shortness of breath could be caused by your worrying.

Remember, no one can give you a doctor's diagnosis via the internet. Most of us aren't doctors and can only give you advice based on our experiences. But your doctor has told you how to treat this condition, and trusting him rather than worrying yourself may be the best thing you can do.
_________________
Kari Eileen -- Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor and representative of maddoxoncology.com

kim robin · New User Joined: 06 Aug 2009 Posts: 1

I have to agree with Karieileen. You should learn how to trust your doctor first because they know what's best to treat your problems. I think the doctor won't give you ibuprofen if it isn't the answer to your problem. Now, jumping into conclusion that you might have a cancer without further intervention by the doctor is a very wrong move. Trust your doctor first then you can evaluate if they are trusted one or not.

lovelynikki · New User Joined: 06 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

I agree to the both of them. Why did you go to your doctor if you don't have any trust to him. He won't give you ibuprofen if he knows that it is not good for you. If you won't take any meds you won't get out from the pain you've suffered. I don't think that it's a cancer. If it's not that you don't have trust to your doctor why don't you try to consult to another doctor. I can say this to you because you have the same experience to my closest sister-in-law. She refused to drinks any pain meds which was advised by her doctor. She suffered severe pains, until one day we are surfing the net looking anything that can help, PhoneConsultation.com came across. This site is face to face doctor visit. My sister-in-law tried to consult to their doctor thru online and stated her situation. The doctor gave her meds for her pain. Now my sister-in-law found them great and maintain them. Have you tried this?

alisha159 · New User Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 1

You should not ignore it. Go to your doctor. Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable. So don't worry but be careful.

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