Before I even say anything about my situation, let me first give my "history" so perhaps everyone could advise me better. When I was in high school I never really smoked cigarettes. However by my junior year I had begun to smoke pot. For the rest of those 2 years I would smoke, at a recreational level. When I went to college believe it or not, I actually stopped smoking. However by my Junior year I had begun smoking cloves or kreteks. I heard from several people that these have more tar in them than normal cigs. I would say I would smoke these between a casual to extreme amount for the last 3 years. I could have half a pack a day or would go without smoking for a few weeks. This past summer, I stating smoking pretty bad though. The stress of my job got to me and I remember starting to smoke a pack a day. I didn't do this for too long, perhaps 2 weeks at most. I remember my throat starting to bother me like it was getting "tight". I could breathe fine, just that it felt like it was tight. I would switch over to normal cigarettes, and I had been smoking them for about the past few months. However recently I have been able to really taper off until last week, where I've cut myself off completely. Currently I am 23. Now here is my dilemma.As I started to quit, I noticed I was basically starting to get the symptoms similiar to throat cancer. My voice has gotten a bit hoarse. I'm starting to feel congested. My throat feels tight and like there's a ball of mucus sitting at the bottom of my throat. I think it actually might be mucus because it goes down a little when i swallow. the glands near my jawline seem a bit swollen too. Post nasal drip as well. How likely do you think it is that I've developed cancer at this point? I can't help but feel demoted that when I quit, I start seeing these things. Now I know a lot of responses from the forum will encourage me to just go see a doctor about it. So this is where the 2nd part of problem comes into play. Being perfectly honest, I had a routine checkup less than 2 months ago. Upon the list of usual questions, I denied being a smoker. I did this partly because I've been hiding this habit since I first started. I'm not particulary proud I smoke, and I guess I wasn't ready to start spilling the beans. On top of that, I did not want to endanger my chances of being rejected from my new application for insurance. I've heard of many people who were rejected to have coverage based on really small things before. Hence I didn't want to lose out on having a health plan. If I go back to that doctor and tell him what's going, am I risking losing my plan? Can he "write me up" as I was not being honest about my health, thus losing the plan?Obviously I'm a bit distraught as I am dealing with the actual physical status of myself, and then the potential treatment. I would love to hear from the forum about their opinions, in regard to both my physical well being and my physician situation. thank you very much.
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Need advice about situation
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Most contracts (and answering an insurance questionaire for the purposes of determining eligibility for insurance is at least a pseudo contract) require good faith and truthfulness on the part of both parties. It is possible that if it is determined that you lied on your application your insurance could be revoked or at the very least you could find that your rates are increased.That being said, if you think that the doctor who examined you (or anyone else who is around you)is unaware that you smoke, you are deceiving yourself. Your doctor, however, will most probably not "write you up" for dishonesty. If you continue smoking, however, and develop a smoking related cancer, he may indicate as much in your medical records which would be available to the insurance company. Go back to the doctor and be honest. Describe your symptoms and ask for help quitting smoking (if that is what you want to do).
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Readytogo,I completely agree. At this point, I've already quit pretty good, and haven't had the desire to have on for the last 2 weeks. I am determined to have smoked my last butt. Out of that burning curiosity, what's your opinion on my medical condition? Do you think it sounds very possible I have a serious disease? The strange thing is, I feel like I felt less sick before I stopped smoking. It was when I stopped I stated getting these symptoms! That's the part that confuses me, I thought I would feel better.
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I am not qualified to diagnose you, but I rather doubt that you have cancer. Only a doctor could tell you that. If you still feel you are having problems, you should make an appointment.Sorry I couldn't be more help.
