Lumps on back of throat

[flumpkin]

Hi

This is my first post for a long time... I have suffered with Health Anxiety for past 6 years but was lucky enough to get a cbt referral a few years back and have been doing really well. I have a huge problem with the big C. Any symptom I ever seem to get leads me there and I have had many 'cancer scares' that have turned out to be something else.

My problem now is my throat. I have the usual lump in my throat feeling that I know is a common anxiety symptom - which is why I came and lurked back on here a few days ago as I wanted reassurance. My problem now though is that if I look at my throat I have visible lumps - about 3 or 4 clear skin coloured lumps on the dangly bit at the back of my throat - so cannot dismiss as anxiety. There is something real there. I also have sore throat (but never know if it is in my head).

I read an article on throat cancer and alcohol a few days back on BBC and think this has been the trigger. The problem is (and I feel so ashamed and stupid) I have been having a couple of glasses of wine most nights for the past few years. My own way of relaxing at end of day (with oh - who does not think this is a prob). I think the alcohol helps my anxiety and causes it. I have been af for last 4 days now and intend to keep this up. I wish I could turn back the clock - can't beieve i have been so stupid.

With my drinking and the lumps it seems that this time it really could be throat cancer - I have visible sign so not all in my head! Really, really scared. I have an appointment to see district nurse later today as can't get dr appointmnet. I am on holiday and supposed to be having good time with family but I want to curl up in a ball and cry. I am petrified it is something or that i will be referred for tests which means it could be something. I am ruining the 2 weeks holiday that I work all year for.

Has anyone had lumps on the dangly bit at back of throat and it been nothing? I am too scared and trying to be strong enough not to google.

Please please help.

And sorry for just coming on asking for help - will do a proper intro later but at the mo need reassurance.

[Mogwog]

Hi

I may not be of much help but didnt want to read and then not reply. Have you ever looked at your dangly thing before(Sorry dont know the medical term for it)? Could they have been there along? Or is this something new? Could just be a little infection if you say your throat hurts too.

I know its not easy but try and stay calm (I should really take my own advice as im having a huge panic over something at the moment too)

L.xxxxxxx

[flumpkin]

Thanks for the reply - appreciated. I am really trying to keep calm but it is so hard. I don't think I have ever really looked at the dangly bit before so not sure if normal but I have checked with my husband and mum. Both think I should go to docs which has freaked me more...

...just hope nurse can tell me what it is as I really don't deal with the not knowing and waiting...

Sorry to hear you to are struggling at the mo - hate this ha

xx

[seeker]

yep, i had exactly this! And I drink a couple of glasses of wine a night, too, so panicked as well. However, having been to specialist and having camera up nose and down throat, all was well - they are almost certainly bits of tonsil or taste buds. A good bet is to ask your dentist to have a look actually - I did this, too and he was very reassuring. Hope this helps,
Seeker

[flumpkin]

Hi Seeker, thanks for posting - good to hear I am not alone. I have seen the nurse practitioner today and she was brilliant. I was going to go in and act normally and just say I has sore throat and noticed the lumps but it all came tumbing out... the drinking (which she didn't seem to think was a huge problem), the health anxiety, thinking it was throat cancer etc. She thinks it may be due to snoring and sleeping with mouth open (both of which I apparently do according to oh), and that it has been made worse by acid reflux that I have started with over the last few days (anxiety related). She also called a doctor in (who used to work in throat dept at a hospital) and he had a good look and said he saw nothing of any concern. My mind is more at ease now bit still not had any alcohol tonight... and hoping to keep my intake under control. I think the wine is a habit - I have it to relax at night - every day I say I am not drinking but end up having a couple.

My throat is still very sore - I thought it would reduce a lot once I was told it was not cancer but seems to be a geniune sore throat - although anxiety has not totally gone but much reduced. I am at the dentist next month for a check up so may take your advice and ask him then. He thinks I am crazy anyway as besides my ha , I also have a huge fear of losing my teeth (I have had to have a lot of work on them ... inlays etc) and have cried in the surgery more than once!

How long did your lumps stay? Do you still get them on and off? Did your throat hurt and do you have any tips for getting it better? Sorry so many q's!

Thanks again for replying. I'd also like to say how much I appreciate this forum - it is brilliant. It is hard as no-one really understands ha and how controlling and frightening it is, unless they have it too. Here there are so many people who do understand x

[Stressed32]

I have had lumps on the back of my throat for almost a year now.... or that was the 1st time I looked into my throat....they may have always been there?? I have had like 3 Drs look at them and even looked into the throat of my best friend because I was convinced it was HIV! She has them too. Mine are not on the dangly thing....just on the back wall of my throat. Hope I have helped.