Throat cancer?

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Ok, so nobody needs to reply to this. I mean I would read it but mostly right now I'm posting this because I am really worried about something. So maybe typing about it and putting it somewhere will help but I'm not looking for sympathy, really. Just putting it out there. I smoke and have for years and know it's stupid and I should quit blah, blah, blah. So here lately my throat has been really weird. I think there's something more going on than normal throat irritation. It's been hard to swallow on and off like something is there that don't belong there. I guess I'll call the doctor Monday and make an appointment but I really dread it. Something tells me it's not going to be good. Thanks.

I can sympathize with how you feel. I once found a lump - on a Friday at midnight, too. That turned out well but it gave me quite a turn.

Can you look at your tonsils? How about the gland under your jaw, one on either side? Your throat is what colour? And, I think it's the glottis, that little pink thingy at the back of your mouth, is it swollen (rounded instead of pointy)? Is the problem symmetrical?

I mention these things because they go wrong with me and when they do, they can be cured with penicillin.

But of course you'll have to get it checked.

Well, that night when I discovered a lump I didn't sleep at all. I knew I wouldn't sleep, so (being an optimist) I wrote out my Will. I began with 'books to sis, music to nephew' and then realized i had nothing else anybody would want. And also that it isn't nice to bequeath credit card bills. So I changed my Will to a warning that my family should refuse to inherit.

That being done, it was only about 2am. I had an Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. It had a Mystery Photo Contest. I can write, but it was sort of established in the family that i can't write fiction. But I tried. And I wrote a story and a zillion rewrites, finished it just after sunup and fell into a contented sleep.

Do you think you'll sleep tonight?

Form what I understand nicotine will numb your throat because of the damage it does to your nerves. It could be that and probably is. You should still go to the doctor though.

I forgot to mention, if you're interested in giving up smoking, do you know about

www.quitnet.com

Today happens to be my 1,000th day without a cigarette. I owe my freedom to Quitnet and the support I got there.

Just wondering, do you have GERD (gastric reflux)? That can make your throat very sore and irritated.

Hmm not sure. I think my thyroid gland may have swelled some from hypothyroism and that may have effected my throat when I swallow. But I'm just guessing.

http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1999/06_99/mujica.htm

That link had some good info.

I appreciate everyone's posts very much. Thank you, thank you. I've read them all and was surprised by the concern shown. Claradoon, thanks for the link. I checked it out already and it looks like some place I'll be joining soon. Even if I don't I have some kind of cancer I need to quit. My problem is it's not a question of can I, the question is will I. Sometimes I think I have some kind of death wish. Being diagnosed with cancer wouldn't bother me. What would bother me is knowing the rough road I'm on that they call life was going to get worse before the end finally came.

Anyway, I do have a thyroid problem but I've been taking the medication for that ok. I think Starr you might be on to something. I do have acid reflux and I forgot my doctor told me about 6 months ago it can cause throat problems. I checked it out online too and the way my throat feels matches the symptoms, pretty much the same as throat cancer though.

The problem is the prescription medicine Ive been on ran out about 3 weeks ago and the new insurance I have doesn't want to pay for the medicine. Of course, the acid reflux is back full force and over the counter stuff helps some but not enough. I talked to the pharmacy today and they said the insurance wants to talk to the doctor to confirm that I need it.........nice.

If for some reason the doctor doesn't think I need it then I'll have to go see her and help her understand I do. Then the stupid insurance company will have to pay for both. Even if they do pay for it I might go to the doctor anyway just for spite.

I'll keep you all updated once I find something out for sure. Obviously, I love to write. Thanks again.

Ah gastric reflux...well, I used to have that a lot, especially when I was stressed. It used to burn my throat and make it very sore. I take omeprazole (Losec) plus gaviscon liquid at night, which helps a lot but the best bit of advice that anyone gave me, and it took going to see a specialist to get this humble piece of information, was to prop the head end of my bed up on a couple of housebricks! Plus an extra pillow (I used to sleep almost flat) Both those things helped enormously and of course, didn't cost much either. Maybe worth a try. If it helps then it's probably that but worth getting the doc to check it out. Hope you feel better soon Droopy.

You can give up smoking and keep your death wish - I did.

Re acid reflux - I take yogurt pills (acidophilus something) and the problem went away entirely.