Long story!! Don’t know what to do!

[Belizz]

You guys are pretty awesome on here. You are so calm about all of this. I tend not to talk to my partner about my worries purely becuase his dad has terminal cancer. But tonight
I confided in him and showed him inside my
Mouth, while he said both sides of my tongue look similar there is a difference and he doesn’t think I need to be worried! He said that we aren’t symmetrical but also said if I am worried then ask to speak to a different doctor! Feel like such a fraud but also feel like I need a diagnosis even if it’s tony to be able to move on from this!

Yeah, and besides I would love to assure you that dentists are very used to focusing on small details because they deal with the tiniest portions in the mouth, so they absolutely wouldn't miss if there was something sinister.
I just remembered a couple of months ago I went to dentist to have a root canal and long story short the previous evening I ate two slices of pizza and the crust was very hard. It irritated my palate and felt raw and painful afterwards.
My first session with the dentist next day and the second I opened my mouth and he looked at it, he asked if I burned that small portion of my palate. Then I explained and he moved on uninterested because it was not important.
What I am saying is, you visited a professional and you mentioned your worry specifically and he checked it. I really do believe you are fine.

Oh if you are annoyed by the discomfort and sore throat etc, by any means address that issue and ask drs to treat what causes it. But you don't need to panic.

 

[Julieann90]

Morning belizz

Thankyou for that reassurance. Maybe I do need to just try and forget about it. I have a phone appointment between now and 12 to sort outmy throat. Same doctor I have been speaking to about my tongue issues, she is going to think I am going mad! But hopefully she won’t just brush it off with anxiety and actually help me out lol.

 

[Julieann90]

Yeah, and besides I would love to assure you that dentists are very used to focusing on small details because they deal with the tiniest portions in the mouth, so they absolutely wouldn't miss if there was something sinister.
I just remembered a couple of months ago I went to dentist to have a root canal and long story short the previous evening I ate two slices of pizza and the crust was very hard. It irritated my palate and felt raw and painful afterwards.
My first session with the dentist next day and the second I opened my mouth and he looked at it, he asked if I burned that small portion of my palate. Then I explained and he moved on uninterested because it was not important.
What I am saying is, you visited a professional and you mentioned your worry specifically and he checked it. I really do believe you are fine.

Oh if you are annoyed by the discomfort and sore throat etc, by any means address that issue and ask drs to treat what causes it. But you don't need to panic.

had my doctors phone appointment, saidmy throat issue is just viral... gargle salt water. Blurgh! Hurts so much just one side it’s driving me mad.

 

[Julieann90]

I spoke to my sister in law today about my worries. After worrying that something may have been missed with issues on my tongue, she kindly pointed out that seeing the dentist 3 times and 2 doctors, not all of them are going to fob me off, would all of them be lying to me? True statement I suppose, really need to try and get my head around it, really hard when I get these sensations. But also I realised that when I drank tea the other day it made it worse and today I had a hot chocolate and that made it worse aswell, wondering wether it could be some sort of allergy? Can you get an allergy later in life? Sorry but trying to diagnose myself as I really feel I’m not getting much help x

 

[bigjetplane6]

had my doctors phone appointment, saidmy throat issue is just viral... gargle salt water. Blurgh! Hurts so much just one side it’s driving me mad.

A couple of months ago (last summer to be exact), I had everyday one sided throat pain. Always on the same side. Everyday. For months.
It was a constant pain, throbbing pain. I was definitely worried and thought the worst.. Went to an ENT and he said it was allergies.
I didn’t think it could be that because I never had allergies before and how could allergies be a throbbing pain and only one sided? It just didn’t make sense because that isn’t your typical allergy symptom at all. Well, the pain went away eventually and if the pain starts again this summer, I guess it was allergies.
I’m sure you’re ok. Anxiety just amplifies those symptoms unfortunately.

 

[bin_tenn]

A couple of months ago (last summer to be exact), I had everyday one sided throat pain. Always on the same side. Everyday. For months.
It was a constant pain, throbbing pain. I was definitely worried and thought the worst.. Went to an ENT and he said it was allergies.
I didn’t think it could be that because I never had allergies before and how could allergies be a throbbing pain and only one sided? It just didn’t make sense because that isn’t your typical allergy symptom at all. Well, the pain went away eventually and if the pain starts again this summer, I guess it was allergies.
I’m sure you’re ok. Anxiety just amplifies those symptoms unfortunately.

I experience the one sided throat pain with allergies as well. It makes sense, because allergies irritate the nose and/or throat, causing inflammation, etc. It sucks though!

 

[Julieann90]

A couple of months ago (last summer to be exact), I had everyday one sided throat pain. Always on the same side. Everyday. For months.
It was a constant pain, throbbing pain. I was definitely worried and thought the worst.. Went to an ENT and he said it was allergies.
I didn’t think it could be that because I never had allergies before and how could allergies be a throbbing pain and only one sided? It just didn’t make sense because that isn’t your typical allergy symptom at all. Well, the pain went away eventually and if the pain starts again this summer, I guess it was allergies.
I’m sure you’re ok. Anxiety just amplifies those symptoms unfortunately.

It’s definitely a possibility. I woke up this morning with it still there but over the course of the day it faded away a lot. So I’m not so bothered about that now, still obsessing over my
Tongue!!

 

[bigjetplane6]

It’s definitely a possibility. I woke up this morning with it still there but over the course of the day it faded away a lot. So I’m not so bothered about that now, still obsessing over my
Tongue!!

What exactly is going on with your tongue

 

[Julieann90]

To cut a long story short, on the 1st jan I had what felt like a sore on the side. Metal/ bitter taste coming from the back at the side. Saw the dentist, fine, doctor fine, pharmacist gave me a cream to treat a suspected ulcer. Went back to dentist, all fine. Went to the dentist a third time and shared my oral cancer concerns, dentist has no worries, told me to get a second opinion from doctor if I was worried. Nothing. I don’t have any pain whatsoever down the side of the tongue but right at the back it’s white and if I try to scrape it yes it’s sore! Tried oral thrush gel did nothing. Now I have what feels like a lump at the back side of my tongue on the left. Every time I move my tongue I can feel it but nobody seems to think there is anything there. My foliate papillae are very prominent, the taste buds on the back of my tongue are quite large. But again nobody thinks these areas are concerns. Sometimes I get a tingling feeling in the same area, sometimes a burning feeling across the whole
Tongue. Some foods and drinks make it worse. I know I have seen many professionals but I just don’t know how to move on from this if something is seriously wrong! Sorry, I tried to keep it short but ended up being long!

 

[Fraser]

You guys are pretty awesome on here. You are so calm about all of this. I tend not to talk to my partner about my worries purely becuase his dad has terminal cancer. But tonight
I confided in him and showed him inside my
Mouth, while he said both sides of my tongue look similar there is a difference and he doesn’t think I need to be worried! He said that we aren’t symmetrical but also said if I am worried then ask to speak to a different doctor! Feel like such a fraud but also feel like I need a diagnosis even if it’s tony to be able to move on from this!

Ask your doctor for a referral to an ENT. Personally, I find it helps to open and honest about my HA with healthcare professionals. At the end of describing my symptoms I usually say something like "Also, I have health anxiety and sometimes it's pretty bad. That means that I often self-diagnose something pretty dire based off my symptoms. My symptoms are real though in that I'm experiencing them, and I need for them to be treated seriously." While you wait for your ENT appointment, practice health anxiety management so that you keep things in perspective.

 

[Julieann90]

Ask your doctor for a referral to an ENT. Personally, I find it helps to open and honest about my HA with healthcare professionals. At the end of describing my symptoms I usually say something like "Also, I have health anxiety and sometimes it's pretty bad. That means that I often self-diagnose something pretty dire based off my symptoms. My symptoms are real though in that I'm experiencing them, and I need for them to be treated seriously." While you wait for your ENT appointment, practice health anxiety management so that you keep things in perspective.

I do this, I tell them I suffer with health anxiety and personally I feel like it’s a big mistake becuase then the doctors instantly brush your symptoms off with anxiety! Then I feel like I am not being listened to about my symptoms. Even when I spoke to the doctor on Monday about my throat, I didn’t mention health anxiety but she instantly said “oh have you spoken to the mental health nurse yet?” I’m trying so hard not to think anything is wrong but it’s impossible. I will speak to the mental health nurse tomorrow... see what she says. See if she believes it’s all in my head or advises me to take further steps with the GP. Sorry I feel like coming on here I can let all my worries out and just talk to others that are suffering too.

 

[bigjetplane6]

I do this, I tell them I suffer with health anxiety and personally I feel like it’s a big mistake becuase then the doctors instantly brush your symptoms off with anxiety! Then I feel like I am not being listened to about my symptoms. Even when I spoke to the doctor on Monday about my throat, I didn’t mention health anxiety but she instantly said “oh have you spoken to the mental health nurse yet?” I’m trying so hard not to think anything is wrong but it’s impossible. I will speak to the mental health nurse tomorrow... see what she says. See if she believes it’s all in my head or advises me to take further steps with the GP. Sorry I feel like coming on here I can let all my worries out and just talk to others that are suffering too.

I went into my GP office a year ago and broke down crying about a rash I had, convinced it was lyme disease. I told him about my HA and he was so understanding, and that made me cry more.
He did suggest I get on medicine but I refused.
Some doctors will be understanding, others will be dismissive.
Don’t apologize! Take that back! We are all here for YOU. That’s what this community is about. We understand eachother, we support eachother, we’re here to cry with eachother. We get you. Have this place be your escape. The place where you can vent too and you know we’ll be here to listen to you.

 

[Fraser]

I do this, I tell them I suffer with health anxiety and personally I feel like it’s a big mistake becuase then the doctors instantly brush your symptoms off with anxiety! Then I feel like I am not being listened to about my symptoms. Even when I spoke to the doctor on Monday about my throat, I didn’t mention health anxiety but she instantly said “oh have you spoken to the mental health nurse yet?” I’m trying so hard not to think anything is wrong but it’s impossible. I will speak to the mental health nurse tomorrow... see what she says. See if she believes it’s all in my head or advises me to take further steps with the GP. Sorry I feel like coming on here I can let all my worries out and just talk to others that are suffering too.

It might be that you are coming across as being in the throes of emotional distress. I try to project a very calm, rational mindset when talking with doctors and make sure that I am not about to have my symptoms dismissed because of my health anxiety. I literally say "I have health anxiety, but my symptoms are real and it is important that I feel they are being taken seriously."

 

[Julieann90]

I went into my GP office a year ago and broke down crying about a rash I had, convinced it was lyme disease. I told him about my HA and he was so understanding, and that made me cry more.
He did suggest I get on medicine but I refused.
Some doctors will be understanding, others will be dismissive.
Don’t apologize! Take that back! We are all here for YOU. That’s what this community is about. We understand eachother, we support eachother, we’re here to cry with eachother. We get you. Have this place be your escape. The place where you can vent too and you know we’ll be here to listen to you.

Thankyou for being so understanding, surely it’s not possible for 2 doctors and a dentist to dismiss my concerns and fob me off, as my sister in law said. I wake up feeling fine and talk myself out of worst case scenario, by the end of the day I’m freaking out and my symptoms are stronger. I had a thought, apart from the lump feeling I have in my tongue, which again I have just looked in the mirror and I’m pretty damn certain both sides of my tongue look the same, and I have white patches at the back, but my throat still looks red and feels a little tender. I have mould growing directly above me on the crease
Of my ceiling and wall, it’s white, black, yellowish and have water that seems to have dropped down the wall, could this be a possibility of my sore throat? I asked my partner and he said if that was the case he would have the same, although yes we sleep in the same bed, it’s directly above me! I’m trying to think of different things that could be causing this other than the big C! X

 

[Julieann90]

How do you know you suffer from health anxiety ?

Well I worry, I’m anxious, all the time, about my health. What I might have wrong, will I be able to be treated, will I survive it. Will I be here to see my kids grow up, when I have an anxiety attack I feel a flood of tingling from head to toe, I haven’t had one of these for a few months but I still have the worry there!

 

[bigjetplane6]

Well I worry, I’m anxious, all the time, about my health. What I might have wrong, will I be able to be treated, will I survive it. Will I be here to see my kids grow up, when I have an anxiety attack I feel a flood of tingling from head to toe, I haven’t had one of these for a few months but I still have the worry there!

Yes, this is definitely health anxiety.
Going back to your breast C worry (sorry, this is the fear i’m currently facing) the dimple and indent of your nipple was only on one breast or both? Did you notice any skin changes?

 

[tangowiththetrafficpolice]

So as you can tell I’m here because I suffer with health anxiety. I have had multiple tests over the last 4 years, for breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, anal cancer, all my tests have come back clear thank god. As you can see my fear is cancer. I’m now really concerned I have tongue cancer! I have googled a lot which I know I shouldn’t have done! I have also seen the dentist 3 times and 2 different doctors.
So basically back in December I had burning sensation on the roof of my mouth behind my teeth along with achy teeth, which then moved to the side of my tongue, I’m sure I can see a sore...the burning on my palate went and then I started to get it on my tongue and gums. My
Gums stopped. Long story short I still have an odd sensation in the back of my tongue, like there is a lump... or food stuck....I also have sore white patches right at the back of my tongue too. I think it could be that I am rubbing my tongue on my back teeth on that side of the mouth. The back tooth that side is bigger than the other side. So as Iv visited the dentist and shared my concerns about oral cancer, she has told me that she is not worried in the slightest and everything looks normal. And she is not concerned about oral cancer. I saw the doctor a couple days after who did a social distance look with a torch and said nothing wrong me basically deal with the sensations! I just can’t seem to shift the bad feeling that something is wrong. Really
Sorry for the long post. Should I just live with it or go back for yet another opinion!

So as you can tell I’m here because I suffer with health anxiety. I have had multiple tests over the last 4 years, for breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, anal cancer, all my tests have come back clear thank god. As you can see my fear is cancer. I’m now really concerned I have tongue cancer! I have googled a lot which I know I shouldn’t have done! I have also seen the dentist 3 times and 2 different doctors.
So basically back in December I had burning sensation on the roof of my mouth behind my teeth along with achy teeth, which then moved to the side of my tongue, I’m sure I can see a sore...the burning on my palate went and then I started to get it on my tongue and gums. My
Gums stopped. Long story short I still have an odd sensation in the back of my tongue, like there is a lump... or food stuck....I also have sore white patches right at the back of my tongue too. I think it could be that I am rubbing my tongue on my back teeth on that side of the mouth. The back tooth that side is bigger than the other side. So as Iv visited the dentist and shared my concerns about oral cancer, she has told me that she is not worried in the slightest and everything looks normal. And she is not concerned about oral cancer. I saw the doctor a couple days after who did a social distance look with a torch and said nothing wrong me basically deal with the sensations! I just can’t seem to shift the bad feeling that something is wrong. Really
Sorry for the long post. Should I just live with it or go back for yet another opinion!

You are clearly anxious and see things that are usually there but you haven't paid too much attention to. Your check ups are sooo recent,I feel for you that you cannot be reassured. I too am anxious about the same complaint and am constantly looking in my mouth with a torch and magnifying mirror. I go a step further and poke at spots with a sewing needle. I once saw a pimple on my tonsil (the day before a dentist trip of course) I poked it so much I threw up. Needless to say, I was so distressed I cancelled the trip to the dentist.
If you can find some help with this anxiety you should do so while you are still young. Don't let it fester.

 

[Julieann90]

Yes, this is definitely health anxiety.
Going back to your breast C worry (sorry, this is the fear i’m currently facing) the dimple and indent of your nipple was only on one breast or both? Did you notice any skin changes?

It’s all on one breast and the same breast, I am still finding that my nipple keeps going in, but it’s not the whole nipple it’s just in the middle of the nipple and makes it look like there’s a hole. It’s really odd and I am trying not to focus on it too much, I have had tender breasts too in both breasts so I think that’s normal. What makes you worried about breast cancer if you don’t mind me asking? X

You are clearly anxious and see things that are usually there but you haven't paid too much attention to. Your check ups are sooo recent,I feel for you that you cannot be reassured. I too am anxious about the same complaint and am constantly looking in my mouth with a torch and magnifying mirror. I go a step further and poke at spots with a sewing needle. I once saw a pimple on my tonsil (the day before a dentist trip of course) I poked it so much I threw up. Needless to say, I was so distressed I cancelled the trip to the dentist.
If you can find some help with this anxiety you should do so while you are still young. Don't let it fester.

Glad that I am not the only one panicking about
My mouth! How old are you if you don’t mind me asking? Do you smoke? What is it that you can see in your mouth that you are worried about? The amount of non professionals and professionals I keep showing because I just can’t seem to shift this anxiety! Worrying something sinister is going on, my symptoms are getting better so I’m trying to take that as good news, it’s just the odd burning sensation I get at the back/side of my tongue. My shark fin papillae are enlarged but again dentist and doctor not concerned. I was reassured the days I saw them but then it all comes flooding back! Was supposed to have a phone call with the mental health nurse today, they cancelled last minute and rebooked for next Wednesday, if I’m honest I was a bit disappointed because I was actually looking forward to sorting my head out!!!

 

[Julieann90]

This is what I’m hoping my problem is!! I just have this issue on a small portion of my tongue, the left back side

 

[tangowiththetrafficpolice]

It’s all on one breast and the same breast, I am still finding that my nipple keeps going in, but it’s not the whole nipple it’s just in the middle of the nipple and makes it look like there’s a hole. It’s really odd and I am trying not to focus on it too much, I have had tender breasts too in both breasts so I think that’s normal. What makes you worried about breast cancer if you don’t mind me asking? X

Glad that I am not the only one panicking about
My mouth! How old are you if you don’t mind me asking? Do you smoke? What is it that you can see in your mouth that you are worried about? The amount of non professionals and professionals I keep showing because I just can’t seem to shift this anxiety! Worrying something sinister is going on, my symptoms are getting better so I’m trying to take that as good news, it’s just the odd burning sensation I get at the back/side of my tongue. My shark fin papillae are enlarged but again dentist and doctor not concerned. I was reassured the days I saw them but then it all comes flooding back! Was supposed to have a phone call with the mental health nurse today, they cancelled last minute and rebooked for next Wednesday, if I’m honest I was a bit disappointed because I was actually looking forward to sorting my head out!!!

Over the years- a white line on my gum which I prodded and scratched for several weeks until I realised I had removed the gum covering the base of my front pre-molar; an ulcer where gum meets soft palate which I gauged out with a teaspoon; a white spot on other side of gum which I attacked with an electric toothbrush. In each case this delayed healing and of course, the advice is------------ if it goes on for 3 weeks-----!!!!!!!
No I don't smoke, but I did in the past. I do drink alcohol and I guess guilt about that weakness exacerbates HA ( not just about the mouth!) and I usually think "it serves you right!". I have suffered for decades which is why I urge you to pester for help now before it takes over.
Have you had any AD medication? Any referral for psychiatric help?