So worried, in need of some comfort - Cancer Message Board

profpo31 · 01-24-2005, 02:49 PM

Ok, I must apologize in advance because this is probably going to be a long post, but I just want to get everything out there.

About two months ago I noticed bumps developing on my tongue. I was coming down with a cold at the time, and while they were really nothing to worry about at the time, it got me worrying and got me to the doctor. It was there I was diagnosed as having Bronchitis and the bumps being enlarged taste buds, or what they called a "normal abnormality."

It feels like the Bronchitis has stuck around for the past two months, even though my lungs have been cleared according to the doctors. Recently, I have been having trouble with a constant cough that comes along when I simply swallow saliva. It feels like my throat gets irritated every time I swallow, but the cough does not prevent me from eating or sleeping.

I have been to the doctors several times about all of this, and each time they tell me that I'm worrying far too much about what is going on. The last doctor told me that post-nasal drip is what is causing the constant cough and gave me nasal spray to help counteract this. He also told me to sleep with two pillows in order to avoid the post-nasal drip, and this in turn has caused me to have a sore neck on my right side that has lasted four days.

The reason all of this is scaring me is because of my history with smokeless tobacco, or dip. I had been using it somewhat regularly for three years, and being only 21 feel like this is too young to be something cancerous. I have been to the dentist within the past week, and they told me that there are no signs of oral cancer in my mouth. Doctors over the past two weeks have looked at my throat like they do for a normal check-up, felt the side of my neck for any swellings and have seen nothing out of the ordinary. My question is, do the constant cough symptoms along with the sore neck sound like something could be going on in my throat? Is it something that they possibly couldn't see? Or am I simply worrying about symptoms related to a simple cold that has just hung around during the cold season? Please, someone help ease my mind, it is a constant worry to me. I have been to the doctors several times about this and have started to worry my parents that I may becoming a hypochondriac and am worrying about nothing. Thanks in advance for your help.

SamQKitty · 01-24-2005, 06:40 PM

It sounds as if your doctors have been pretty much on top of this, and it is probably just the lingering after-effects of having had bronchitis. Yes, post nasal drip can, indeed, cause these symptoms.

Meanwhile, have you asked yourself why, if you are so worried about getting cancer, you continue to use tobacco products? In fact, continued use could eventually lead to oral cancer, the treatment for which is no fun at all. You could lose part of your tongue, your cheek, your jaw, etc.

Now that you've had this scare, why not find a way to quit?

Ruth

01-26-2005, 07:11 AM

It sounds like you are probably just a little over anxious at your age, I doubt it could be cancer, but, if you really think they missed something and think something is there, go have them check it out. It is there job to do so. Sadly, most doctors think we are just crazy or paranoid if we are young and complain of something wrong.

I would kick the tobacco tho. My dad died Saturday. He used tobacco for years and years. Even tho he quit at a young age, it was too late. It had already done the damage to his organs.

profpo31 · 01-28-2005, 03:46 PM

It seems like it is finally starting to go away, as it has moved up to the sinuses and hopefully on its way out. However, there is one thing that scares me...in the back of my throat, it constantly feels like there is something in there, but there isn't. The doctors have felt my neck for lumps and have looked down my throat for anything suspicious and haven't found anything, but it does feel like there's a lump in my throat and it has me worried. I have heard it could be acid reflux (which I don't think I have) or stress (which I definitely do have). What does this sound like to everyone?

Fizzickle · 01-30-2005, 06:39 PM

Stress, worry, and anxiety will do it.

I had throat cancer six years ago. I took 33 radiation treatments, and am examined at fairly frequent intervals with no sign of recurrence.

Yet if I feel stressed or anxious, I get the same feeling you evidently do; namely, that there's something in my throat.