siigs
Posts:0

Hello

I'm 30 years old and have been a smoker for 15 years. Around this time last year (November/December), I started experiencing occasional chest pain, along with other symptoms such as shortness of breath, acid reflux, and joint pain. It wasn’t too bad, except that whenever I woke up, the shortness of breath felt more intense but would be relieved after standing up.

I’ve had shoulder and leg pain for years, probably due to a pinched nerve from an accident I had in 2023, but lately, the pain in my right arm has become more severe. It sometimes radiates down to my fingers, and I’ve been experiencing pain along my right median nerve that worsens when I stretch my arm. My hand also feels tingly and numb at times.

Last night, the pain woke me up while I was sleeping, but it went away quickly, and I was able to fall back asleep. After reading some information online, I noticed that my symptoms seem to match those of a Pancoast tumor. I have an appointment with a pulmonologist next Monday.

Discussion Topic
General Discussion!

Reply # - October 29, 2025, 09:32 AM

JanineT GRACE …
Posts: 721
GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hi siigs, I'm sorry you're having health issues. They don't sound like pancoast tumor symptoms.  A consult with a pulmonologist can help to understand your chest symptoms and work toward alleviating those symptoms.  You are probably right about the pinched nerve.  On a personal note, I've had issues with pinched nerves in my neck for years.  Understanding how to minimize or even heal these through PT can keep this from getting worse.  

Best of luck and don't hesitate to ask questions as they arise,

Janine

I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.

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