So for context the first photo is from January of this year. Second is from today (4/29/26). I stopped smoking Jan 1st of this year due to just realizing how bad it was affecting me. I smoked cigarettes occasionally, vaped daily and nearly constantly and smoked marijuana daily (joints only) for nearly 5 years. I’m only 19 but the last few months (first photo 1/26/26) I have been noticing myself coughing up these brown spots.
I’ve made it very strict on myself that I haven’t even hit a vape since my quit day and am rarely around anyone who does smoke in closed doors. I use zyns to help my cravings and haven’t ate an edible since February. I thought this stuff would be better by now but it seems like the longer it’s been the more that keeps coming up. I’ve had regular pain on my left lung near the bottom of my ribs when this happens. Nothing stabbing or poking, but definitely noticeable and sorta burn-y.
Im currently in the works of trying to apply for insurance as I haven’t had coverage since February and want to know: should I be worried? Is this normal? Or should I go in right now? I’ll answer any questions anyone has but I’m just trying to figure it out because I don’t want to go in for something that’s normal.
I don’t have shortness of breath, my o2 is 98-96% (I do have asthma), my left rib near the bottom hurts when it happens kinda burning feeling from within and this doesn’t happen everyday, I do have points where it’ll leave for a week and then come back worse.
Thank you for the advice and reading this all the way through!