Judi918
17-05-17, 14:41
Hello, this is my first post here, but I contributed at anxiety zone before. Mainly I'm a lurker. But I guess I need to vent to others who understand. I went to my doctor's last Thursday for my twice a year check up. Feeling good, not really expecting anything earth shattering. You know, check blood pressure, look in ears, listen to heart, and cringe when stepping on scales. :ohmy:
My HA has been under control with no wayward thoughts about health issues. I did mention to the doctor that two weeks earlier I woke up in the morning with a pain in my neck/jaw region, like a blocked salivary gland. I'd had that before so no worries. Used lemon drops, hot compresses, and OTC pain meds. Problem solved.
She looked at my neck area and said, "It still looks swollen." :mad: "Let's do an ultrasound to make sure nothing is wrong." Imagine my surprise. I was feeling great.
Now my HA is spiraling out of control. I've examined my neck in a mirror more times than I can count. And I've poked and prodded until my neck and parotid gland is sore. I've looked up parotid cancer and everything else possible. I feel no lump, and see no swelling. I see chubby cheeks and jaw bones that stick out when I grit my teeth. I have TMJ, so gritting is a normal occurrence.
On Sunday, I had my sister look at my jaw. She said it looked normal to her. I told her about the ultrasound, and she said, "well, if you want to have the test for reassurance, but I wouldn't. Sounds like a waste of time when everything looks okay." (The thoughts of a non-HA person.)
Grrr. So upset my doctor sent me into this spiral. Don't give me something to worry about; I can find them on my own. So, next Thursday is the ultrasound. I'm doing it to prove the doctor wrong. And hoping I don't suddenly get the "what if..." disease.
Thanks for listening (reading). It made me feel better just to voice my opinion.
My HA has been under control with no wayward thoughts about health issues. I did mention to the doctor that two weeks earlier I woke up in the morning with a pain in my neck/jaw region, like a blocked salivary gland. I'd had that before so no worries. Used lemon drops, hot compresses, and OTC pain meds. Problem solved.
She looked at my neck area and said, "It still looks swollen." :mad: "Let's do an ultrasound to make sure nothing is wrong." Imagine my surprise. I was feeling great.
Now my HA is spiraling out of control. I've examined my neck in a mirror more times than I can count. And I've poked and prodded until my neck and parotid gland is sore. I've looked up parotid cancer and everything else possible. I feel no lump, and see no swelling. I see chubby cheeks and jaw bones that stick out when I grit my teeth. I have TMJ, so gritting is a normal occurrence.
On Sunday, I had my sister look at my jaw. She said it looked normal to her. I told her about the ultrasound, and she said, "well, if you want to have the test for reassurance, but I wouldn't. Sounds like a waste of time when everything looks okay." (The thoughts of a non-HA person.)
Grrr. So upset my doctor sent me into this spiral. Don't give me something to worry about; I can find them on my own. So, next Thursday is the ultrasound. I'm doing it to prove the doctor wrong. And hoping I don't suddenly get the "what if..." disease.
Thanks for listening (reading). It made me feel better just to voice my opinion.