OK I need a real answer

aggiemarta · New User Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2

Hi, I really don't want to sound like a hypochondriac here, but I am at the edge of my wits with worry. I found a large lump on my ribcage about 4 months ago, and it has gotten a tiny bit bigger since then, but not much. My problem is I go to school full time, and dont have health insurance. I went to the University Health Center, and the doctor there said that my lump was swollen cartilage from a severe rib trauma. It hurts when it is poked, but other than that it does not hurt. I can roll over on it, it doesnt hurt when i touch it, just when I poke hard. But this is inconsistent with a cartilage inflammation, becuase that is supposed to be excrutiatingly painful. And my biggest problem with his diagnosis is that I have never had severe rib trauma. My rib didnt hurt before I found this, I was not in a car accident or wrestling with my friends or anything. I dont play sports, I definitely would have noticed breaking or severely traumatizing my ribcage.
The lump is right on the edge of my ribs on my left side, right under my breast, and it is very noticeable, even from a distance.
I just do not accept his theory, but he seemed totally convinced that that's what it was...the possibility that it was anything more serious never crossed his mind. It only hurts when I breathe occasionally, and when it does hurt it isnt the lump that hurts, I get a sharp pain in my lung area.
I very concerned about this, and am not sure what to do. I am supporting myself and paying for school, and have no health insurance. And I am only 20 years old. I am anemic and hypoglycemic if that helps, but I dont think that has anything to do with it?
Please someone help if you can!

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Thanks for posting. I don't think you're hypochondriac. You have a real problem and you should be evaluated, regardless of your health insurance status. I know it can be costly, but this can be a big problem. The odds are that it is not going to be anything seroius, but without being checked you can never know. You could also speak to the County social worker to see if they have any clinic you could go to and be evaluated.

best regards,
Leo
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Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

aggiemarta · New User Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2

thanks for the advice. Fortunately I have a doctor at Methodist hospital in Houston who has agreed to look at me, and write me off as a charity case. (He worked on my dad when he had an aneurysm) So thats a relief..I hope youre right...I hope it is nothing. I am tired of worrying..its making me sick! Smile

HEATHER · Regular Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 24

Hi Aggie,

Our bodies are crazy and do crazy things. Leo is right its probably nothing but you will be in the hospital for all the stress related problems if you dont have it checked again. One more thing, If you do not have your health, you do not have anything. Try very hard to get some kind of low income health insurance. I dont know what state you are in but, for example, in California we have Medi Cal. My husband and I put off Health Insurance for years. There was always something more important to spend our money on (we thought). Well, we finally got it and two months after, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. We would have lost everything if we didnt have health insurance. This is not a lecture, just some advice from someone who almost learned the hard way.
Heather

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