Help appreciated! 22 and freaking out

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ad9323
ad9323 Member Posts: 3
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hello everyone,

I stumbled upon this website when doing some research online. When I clear my throat I've been spitting blood for the past 4 or 5 months almost. I went to an ENT around that time, and he dismissed it as membrane irriation and really didn't take it seriously, due to my age and the unliklieness of cancer at my age of 22. But I am freaking out and I have an appointment with an ENT after tomorrow. I've taken several pictures of the blood I spit. I really am scared. I am going to demand to be scoped and have him look down my throat and nose. I really am nervous and don't know what to do. I've been ignoring this issue, but I can't put it off anymore. I would appreciate any feedback or advice! Thanks in advance. 

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  • the_wife
    the_wife Member Posts: 184
    #2
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    Do you have an urgent care

    Do you have an urgent care center nearby so you can be seen sooner? If it were me, I'd go to the ER. Not to scare you or anything, but just so you can get seen sooner. They can usually do tests and get results much faster. Again, that's just my opinion since you asked...

    Best of luck to you!

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    #3
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    Blood

    Blood is always scary. When he was young, my son had had such gusher nosebleeds his first grade teacher just about passed out. It was due to membrane irritation. Depending on the location, some people get nosebleeds and some have it running down the throat. You are doing the right thing by telling the ENT to scope you, if only to put your mind at ease. Please come back and let us know how you are doing after your appointment. 

  • jcortney
    jcortney Member Posts: 503
    #4
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    ENT?

    Most ENT's deal with 8 year olds with inflamed tonsils.  Try to find one at a major hospital near you.  Probably not cancer, but you need a guy that does more than deviated septum's.

    Joe

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #5
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    Welcome to the H&N Group

    Welcome to the group, buy very sorry you need to be here. Taking photos is very smary, as you can show them to the doctor. I did the same. Is it small traces of blood or mostly blood? Is the blood bright red or much darker in color?

    Getting a second opinon is the best, and hope they will scope and not just mirrors. Has the amount of blood gotten more frequent? Has your voice changed any like getting hoarse. Please record your voice now on your phone just so you have it. By any chance do you have any pain in your ear?

    As of right now you are very scared and have the right to be. many things can have all these systems so getting a second opnion is the best you can do right now. At this time you need someone who uses a scope  remember there is other things that can do, this so until a doctor tells you it is "C" it's not.

    I am glsd you found us, and please let us know what the new doctor lells you. You are in mu thoughts and prayers.

    Bill

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #6
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    With Respect

    A quick Google and this came up: 

    Really scared!

    by ad9323 on Tue Aug 04, 2015 04:34 AM

    Quote | Reply

    Hello everyone,

    I am a 22 year old, that is relatively healthy (dont some or drink). I have had a sore/scratchy throat and a feeling of something stuck in my throat for the last 6 weeks. Sometimes when I spit I also find blood. Recently, I also have been been experiencing pain in my left ear and this burning sensation (I believe it is called neuralgia) on the left side of my face as well. I have enlarged tonsils as well. I am freaking out, and scared that I have some form of throat/oral/tonsil cancer. I have an appointmen with an ENT in 2 days. I am really lost and scared, and afraid the ENT will not take me seriously because of my age. I would appreciate any feedback

     

    "As I suspected, my doctor (and her resident) really feel that it's anxiety-related, and ....RE: Really scared! posted  by ad9323."



    If indeed this were sinister, you would have many more symptoms and IMO, be quite ill at this point 3 months past your initial symtoms and examinations. 

    Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. It doesn't come and go nor does it stop once it starts. Again, you'd be feeling pretty poorly by now if indeed the issues were serious. 

    Certainly, see an ENT experienced in oral cancers to give you the reassurance you seek and when you get the all clear, I would look into counseling to help you with your anxiety over this fear.

    Positive thoughts and prayers.

     

     

     

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #7
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    fishmanpa said:

    With Respect

    A quick Google and this came up: 

    Really scared!

    by ad9323 on Tue Aug 04, 2015 04:34 AM

    Quote | Reply

    Hello everyone,

    I am a 22 year old, that is relatively healthy (dont some or drink). I have had a sore/scratchy throat and a feeling of something stuck in my throat for the last 6 weeks. Sometimes when I spit I also find blood. Recently, I also have been been experiencing pain in my left ear and this burning sensation (I believe it is called neuralgia) on the left side of my face as well. I have enlarged tonsils as well. I am freaking out, and scared that I have some form of throat/oral/tonsil cancer. I have an appointmen with an ENT in 2 days. I am really lost and scared, and afraid the ENT will not take me seriously because of my age. I would appreciate any feedback

     

    "As I suspected, my doctor (and her resident) really feel that it's anxiety-related, and ....RE: Really scared! posted  by ad9323."



    If indeed this were sinister, you would have many more symptoms and IMO, be quite ill at this point 3 months past your initial symtoms and examinations. 

    Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. It doesn't come and go nor does it stop once it starts. Again, you'd be feeling pretty poorly by now if indeed the issues were serious. 

    Certainly, see an ENT experienced in oral cancers to give you the reassurance you seek and when you get the all clear, I would look into counseling to help you with your anxiety over this fear.

    Positive thoughts and prayers.

     

     

     

    Well done..........

    Some things just didn't add up. Also to many details missing. Thanks.

    Bill

  • ad9323
    ad9323 Member Posts: 3
    #8
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    wmc said:

    Welcome to the H&N Group

    Welcome to the group, buy very sorry you need to be here. Taking photos is very smary, as you can show them to the doctor. I did the same. Is it small traces of blood or mostly blood? Is the blood bright red or much darker in color?

    Getting a second opinon is the best, and hope they will scope and not just mirrors. Has the amount of blood gotten more frequent? Has your voice changed any like getting hoarse. Please record your voice now on your phone just so you have it. By any chance do you have any pain in your ear?

    As of right now you are very scared and have the right to be. many things can have all these systems so getting a second opnion is the best you can do right now. At this time you need someone who uses a scope  remember there is other things that can do, this so until a doctor tells you it is "C" it's not.

    I am glsd you found us, and please let us know what the new doctor lells you. You are in mu thoughts and prayers.

    Bill

    My symptoms

    Yes, I am suffering from ear pain. I experience this burning/stingin ear pain. No it isn't small traces, I would say it is half blood/half sputum/phlegm  (i.e spit don't really know the medical term) It is very dark when I spit it in the morning when I wake up, and when I do during the day it is bright. I wouldn't say the amount has gotten more frequent. No my voice hasn't changed. My appointement is on Wedensday, and I am really hoping I can get to the bottom of this. 

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