Any doctors in the house?

So I'm waiting for my insurance to kick in at my job (been here since mid-May, have to wait 90 days) and am planning a physical once I have access to the insurance since it's been like 5 years since my last one.

In the last week though I have been feeling like there is a band around my ribs and getting pressure just beneath my ribs (my right side and not painful, just feels like something is pushing just beneath my ribs and very near to my skin so not deep) that goes away when I let my stomach out. I've gained about 15 lbs in the last 18 months and was diagnosed with rhinitis and acid reflux last year so I know my weight probably isn't helping matters.

My wife is a vet so she can't really help a lot since I ain't a Labrador but she thinks it could be a hiatal hernia. Don't think it's super serious but I have smoked for almost 20 years so there is always that worry. Though with that I'm not having pain when I breathe, not coughing up blood, not wheezing (though my nose will whistle sometimes thanks to my deviated septum), don't feel weak and obviously not losing weight. Can get out of breath but normally when I exercise since I am overweight and I can always catch my breath.

Any doctors on the forums who want to give me some over the web advice? Thinking I should have a chest x-ray since I haven't in a long time just to be sure. Trying to quit smoking as well since I have a baby coming in December.

Cheers for any advice!
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Comments

  • TaraC73TaraC73 Manchester NH
    Are you on anything for the reflux?

    im not a doctor but had GERD for years... that’s what this sounds like..
  • @TaraC73 I stopped taking my Omeprazole for a while but had a thought to get back on it a couple of days ago. Hoping that it is GERD and the medication will start to help
  • TaraC73TaraC73 Manchester NH
    Yes get back on it for sure - you don’t want to end up with an ulcer. Your pain sounds a lot like GERD. Get back on the meds and see a doctor once your insurance kicks in. 
  • Bit the bullet and went today. Couldn't find anything specific but also said to get back on the Omeprazole and some anti-inflammatories. Had them do a chest x-ray just in case and no cancer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    JaimieTTaraC73
  • Still gonna get a physical though, need to see about finding a better way to quit smoking and all that jazz

  • The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • HatorianHatorian Dagobah
    edited August 2018
    EDIT: didn’t read all the comments and saw you went to the doctor. Disregard. 

    Not a doctor. I also don’t think any doctor here in the forums would feel comfortable giving you advice without actually being able to physically review you. I think it would be a bad idea for any certified practioner to give you advice without actually seeing you. 

    If you have the funds it’s probably s good idea to go to the doctor and just suck up having to pay the costs of an UnInsured visit. 

    Dpending on the location it could be a lot of things. Lower back on either side could be kidney. Front Right side just below your rib cage could be liver. Ultimately a visit to the doctor is the best idea. 

    Obciously if you are having symptoms like nauseous, pain, sudden weight gain/loss, dizziness, or prolonged persistence of any unusual symptoms is best to go get it checked out. 

    Once sgain, not a doctor but the out of pocket doctor fee can be a small price to pay to find out something and diagnosis something early. Not to mention it would give you peace of mind to figure out what it is. 

    Hopefully it’s nothing and good luck. 
     
    anubus21
  • FreddyFreddy Denton, Texas
    edited August 2018
    I'll take a vet over an MD any day.


    Hatoriananubus21TaraC73
  • Great news!

    Congrats on the new job too.  What is the job?
  • anubus21 said:
    Still gonna get a physical though, need to see about finding a better way to quit smoking and all that jazz

    Something you might talk to your Dr about to help you quit smoking is the medication Zyban.  I used that and nicorette gum to quit.
    There's also the medication Chantex, but I know a few people who have tried that, and none were successful.  But every person is different, so that one may work for you.
    Anyway ... quitting smoking is HARD, but it can be done!  Good luck!   :)
    anubus21
  • anubus21 said:
    Still gonna get a physical though, need to see about finding a better way to quit smoking and all that jazz

    Something you might talk to your Dr about to help you quit smoking is the medication Zyban.  I used that and nicorette gum to quit.
    There's also the medication Chantex, but I know a few people who have tried that, and none were successful.  But every person is different, so that one may work for you.
    Anyway ... quitting smoking is HARD, but it can be done!  Good luck!   :)
    Thanks for the advice!!! Appreciate it :)
    April_May_June
  • tom_g said:
    Great news!

    Congrats on the new job too.  What is the job?
    Thanks mate! Definitely had me worried all week. Was going to go play the WSOP Circuit event in Cherokee today but spent all week so stressed I bailed, but gonna go next Saturday for another event and see if I hit the money!

    started working as a business and project analyst for a small consulting firm. I basically do all their research which I enjoy since I had gotten really tired of sales after 7 years. What you do for a living?
  • Freddy said:
    I'll take a vet over an MD any day.


    My wife is definitely a great resource...pretty cute too
    Freddy
  • Any other smokers on here with tips? Cold turkey sucksssssssss!
    TaraC73
  • JaimieTJaimieT Atlanta, GA
    anubus21 said:
    Any other smokers on here with tips? Cold turkey sucksssssssss!

    Man, mad respect for you quitting smoking. I'm tapering off anxiety meds and that's no fun... I know they're not the same kind of thing, but good for you.
    anubus21
  • anubus21 said:
    tom_g said:
    Great news!

    Congrats on the new job too.  What is the job?
    Thanks mate! Definitely had me worried all week. Was going to go play the WSOP Circuit event in Cherokee today but spent all week so stressed I bailed, but gonna go next Saturday for another event and see if I hit the money!

    started working as a business and project analyst for a small consulting firm. I basically do all their research which I enjoy since I had gotten really tired of sales after 7 years. What you do for a living?
    IT and Healthcare Project Manager.
  • anubus21 said:
    tom_g said:
    Great news!

    Congrats on the new job too.  What is the job?
    Thanks mate! Definitely had me worried all week. Was going to go play the WSOP Circuit event in Cherokee today but spent all week so stressed I bailed, but gonna go next Saturday for another event and see if I hit the money!

    started working as a business and project analyst for a small consulting firm. I basically do all their research which I enjoy since I had gotten really tired of sales after 7 years. What you do for a living?
    GL man TID
  • The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • My mother, a very nice lady and a quilter, quit smoking years ago cold turkey, and didn't tell anyone "in case she changed her mind." She even kept the last pack of cigarettes in her purse for A YEAR "in case she changed her mind." She hasn't smoked since and that's how I found out my mother is a badass made of steel. 

    I've heard good things about using the patch and the gum! Don't be a badass like my mom! Lol
    I made a promise to myself in my late-20s that I would “quit smoking the day I turned 30.”

    Here I am, six years later to that very day, and I haven’t had a single cigarette since.  Cold turkey worked for me, but I know it isn’t that easy for everyone.
    FreddyApril_May_June
  • anubus21 said:
    Any other smokers on here with tips? Cold turkey sucksssssssss!
    I wasn't a really heavy smoker (couple packs a week maybe), but I sort of did it in stages. First, I had gotten a new car and made it a rule not to smoke in it. I loved smoking and driving but it's really gross and ends up fucking up your interior. That inconvenience helped me cut back a lot. Eventually stopped except when out drinking.

    Stopping social smoking was definitely the biggest hurdle. I essentially had to stop going out for a bit. Combining that with easing into scenarios where I was drinking, but not in the situation to bum cigs helped me acclimate. Still cracked a time or two a year for a while (smokey bars were tough), but I haven't done that for a long time now.
    Freddyanubus21
  • FreddyFreddy Denton, Texas
    I've never been a cigarette smoker, but in the last few years I've picked up a cigar habit. If it wasn't for the health and gross factors, I'd smoke them like Winston Churchill. 
  • It’s def hard. Been a couple of days and I already want one. Luckily it’s the weekend and my wife will smack me on the hand if I try to buy a pack! Also chewing juicy fruit to help right now
    DoubleA_RonApril_May_June
  • TaraC73TaraC73 Manchester NH
    I quit on zyban - it’s actually Wellbutrin anti depressant. Worked wonders for me! Smoking is bad for reflux/GERD (bad for everyone obviously) so it will help you in the long run to find a way to quit :) best of luck!!! 
    April_May_Juneanubus21
  • emnofseattleemnofseattle Mason County, Washington USA
    edited August 2018
    anubus21 said:
    Any other smokers on here with tips? Cold turkey sucksssssssss!
    If you used snus it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Get your nicotine hit without tar.

    I am a cigar smoker and thus have never been addicted, since nicotine doesn’t absorb the same way when puffed versus breathed, my father however did Copenhagen for thirty years then quit with hypnosis therapy (yes that’s a real thing) hasn’t used since. 

    I used to occasionally mistake my soda can for his spit can (Diet Coke, my dad never drank in his life, like the president lol) and got nasty surprises at the computer desk, since I still visit his house to get my Spanish language sessions I know he’s quit for good
    <span>:smiley:</span>
    anubus21
  • tom_gtom_g WV
    edited August 2018
    Combining two threads here . . . Actor, father, and ex-smoker Ray Liotta recommends Chantix.

    BTW, Goodfellas is slightly better than Casino.
    TaraC73
  • tom_g said:
    Combining two threads here . . . Actor, father, and ex-smoker Ray Liotta recommends Chantix.

    BTW, Goodfellas is slightly better than Casino.
    Def think Goodfellas is better. Think the X factor is Liotta who I thought was great in Goodfellas...De Niro and Pesci have always been solid.

    thanks for the tip, will have to ask my doc about chantix!
  • Frakkin TFrakkin T Currently Offline
    I know it kinda has a bad rap but vaping was the easiest way to quit. Once I got a liquid that was high enough in nicotine I was able to quite smoking immediately. Sure, you're only replacing one habit with another but I can breathe again, my clothes & house don't stink, and I can sneak-vape at the movies. 
    TaraC73
  • Frakkin T said:
    I know it kinda has a bad rap but vaping was the easiest way to quit. Once I got a liquid that was high enough in nicotine I was able to quite smoking immediately. Sure, you're only replacing one habit with another but I can breathe again, my clothes & house don't stink, and I can sneak-vape at the movies. 
    Was wondering about that...do you use the small cigarette sized vapes or the big ones?
  • Frakkin TFrakkin T Currently Offline
    You can get a starter kit like this one but if you're going into it because you want an enjoyable habit you'll eventually find yourself shopping for the right gear for the vape you want. I use the Aspire Nautilus X tank and the Eleaf iPower battery pack. 
    anubus21
  • MattyWeavesMattyWeaves Mid-State New York
    I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express once and I can tell you the best way to stop smoking cigarettes is to smoke as much pot as possible.

    Just roll a pack of joints and smoke them instead. Nearly guaranteed to work, at least that's what Janice at the front desk said.

    Frakkin Ttom_ganubus21
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