So annoyed with myself!!!!!

[LF87]

I had my doctor's appointment this morning. My parents advised me to write everything down that was bothering me, but I thought no, I'll definitely remember. I initially booked the appointment because of an area on my tongue that was bothering me, it just looks weird compared to the other side. But coupled with that, I had weird tingling sensations around that area. Which was what made me book the appointment. So I went this morning, she looked at my tongue and said there's nothing dodgy going on, and to stop scanning for differences because I will find them, but I TOTALLY forgot to mention the tingly weird feeling around there! Now I'm really upset because this is the main thing I wanted to ask her about. Now I'm wondering if she knew about the tingling, would that change her views of there being nothing wrong. I'm so angry I could scream, because I wanted to make this the end of it. Now I'm definitely going to keep thinking about this, and probably have to go back. Arrrrrrrgghh!!!! I've also broken up with my boyfriend, so I don't have anyone to talk to about it really. So fed up. I just feel like there's no point in trying anymore. This has totally taken over my life.

[joelhall]

After examining the area, telling her about the tingly sensation wouldn't have made any difference to the diagnosis. If there were signs of something sinister she would have asked you specifically if you'd had related symptoms :)

[LF87]

Do you really think so? Honestly, I walked out of there, got into the car and was like, are you SERIOUS. That was the whole point of my booking the appointment. I guess if she thought there was something strange looking she'd have noticed? She didn't feel it though, just looked at it with the torch thing. The thing is, the doctors there all know I've seen an ENT specialist. So I keep thinking, are they just treating me as a bit of a crazy and not taking me seriously. I mean, tongue tingling isn't normal surely. But it may have something to do with my constant poking and playing with it? And putting bonjela on it. Oh god. I have gone mental!

[joelhall]

No, if there were obvious physical signs on examination she wouldn't have ignored them. Tingly feelings however are the majority of the time a result of subconsciously focussing on an area. You can try focussing on a part of the body, such as a finger, and suddenly you become very aware of sensations there.

[Gee]

I agree with that I get a lot of tingles!!!

[LF87]

Thanks guys. Do you think it's definitely not worth booking another appointment? I debated running back in and saying oh I forgot to mention. She even said, cancers in someone your age are extraordinarily rare, especially a cancer of this nature. Why isn't that enough. And the fact she said to stop looking for stuff. Man. Health anxiety is a nasty little swear word.

[joelhall]

I suppose because in the back of our mind the worry is always there: 'it might be rare, but that doesn't mean definitely not. What if I'm one of the rare ones with abnormal symptoms?'
Health anxiety to me is the worst of the lot, after suffering with panic disorder, etc for 8 or 9 years. Even now, when I have an attack I still think 'this could be it, I won't make it', especially when I have a different symptom.
I'm sure we're all able to get better, and hopefully with new research we can finally put an end to this -- it's just as debilitating as any organic disease.

[LF87]

It really is. I've got over a load of different anxiety related things too, but this is by far the worst. I'm going to try not to make another appointment. Hopefully if I stop looking at my tongue or playing with it, it'll just go away. It's just a weird sensation. Like burning/tingling. And I always find something new whilst I'm scanning to freak over. But she told me this will always happen. She said if you look and scan your body for changes, twinges, bumps, you will find them. I've never been as obsessed by something as I am this. It just came out of nowhere.

[RosieXXX]

Health anxiety is horrendous. I have suffered with it for many years, and i feel so very sorry for all who battle with it - especially the young people, because i realise what a complete waste of life it is - it seems we live in fear of our lives, and there is no escaping from the constant worry.

I honestly believe the only way to begin to break the cycle of anxiety is to stop googling and self checking. I know it is an almost impossible thing to do, especially when we are desperate for reassurance, and it requires great will power, but in my experience this is the only thing which has helped me to make an 'acceptable' recovery; I treat it like an addiction, and i know for sure if i slip back to checking, googling etc. i will be back to the dark old days, and the thought of that seems to be enough to stop me.

[acmillo]

You have my complete sympathy! I have had a unpleasant taste in my mouth and weird sensation along the side of my tongue for almost 2 years now. It really got to me too. It seemed to happen after I had a tooth removed at the dentist. Ever since I have had several visits to see my dentists ( I even changed dentist) and my gp. They tell me everything in my mouth is perfectly healthy and they tell me that the taste and sensation in my mouth has been caused by me thinking obsessively about my mouth in the period after the tooth came out. One thing which helps me is chewing gum it seems to distract me from the taste/sensation, so that may be something you can try. Anyway I would trust your GP and just try to the think about other things. I have been given mirtazapine at the recommendation of a specialist at the dental hospital which hasn't helped the taste but has helped me handle the anxiety that the constant feeling in my mouth was causing.
Good luck hope it clears soon.

[LF87]

Thank you. Your replies have really helped. It's so good to know there's a fellow mouth sufferer out there too! I didn't have a tooth out, but I had a really long lasting case of strep and tonsillitis, which is what got me hooked on my mouth. I've seen so many doctors about this now. What is really interesting is that the doc told you the sensations were caused by you constantly focussing on your mouth, or tongue. I've bought some chewing gum and it's really helping. Thank you.