2 week wait referral. Freaking out!

[Wilburis]

Hello

Ive had an ongoing problem.

I had a cold and was blowing green stuff out of my nose

Since then, Ive had post nasal drip and a sore throat on one side when I swallow, which is the side I sleep on.

This has been going on for a few months now.

My new GP did bloods, he said they were normal and he will send me to the ENT for a camera into my throat.

Im freaking out as I had a call from the hospital and I have to be seen within 2 weeks!

I thought the 2 week wait was for suspected cancer!

I did recently have a brain and cervical spine MRI and all was normal. Would anything bad have shown up? I know my sinuses were clear too.

Thank you xx

[KK77]

So your blood test was OK? You were scared about an "abnormality" in another thread and didn't update us.

Positive news then

[Wilburis]

Hi

Oh sorry, Im all over the place atm.

The GP rang me yesterday and said they were all fine, but I asked him what my ferritin was and he said it wasnt back, so Im a little confused still.

Im just freaking so bad as I have to have an appointment within 2 weeks.

He did ask me if I smoked, and I did for 20 years, so I dont know if this would be a "red flag"??

EVen now Im sitting here with gunk coming from my nose and constantly swallowing.

[KK77]

I suppose referral times depend on your area and NHS Trust, but you shouldn't worry about 2 week time-scale. I think your GP is wise to take all concerns seriously and sure there is nothing sinister going on, apart from an infection perhaps.

[MyNameIsTerry]

The two week wait is not for cancer it's for urgent referrals otherwise it wouldn't be used for all the other urgent matters, it's just that cancer is always being pushed via the media. But GP's know that it can take months for non urgent referrals so they sometimes use (misuse?) the urgent process.

[NervUs]

IDK anything about the referral system in the UK, but I would be thrilled to get it over and done with sooner!!!!!

In the US, at least, the bar for what constitutes suspicious is pretty low- like, breast cancer for instance, they will call you suspicious for cancer if your lesion only has a 20% chance of malignancy.

So, even if the 2 week wait does mean you have been flagged suspicious, that doesn't necessarily mean even half the people in that category will have cancer. Try not to get ahead of the game!

I am also in my own PND/scratchy throat hell. I've had a cough for 3 months, with sporadic wheezing. I am freaked out!!!! But, I can only try and focus on the fact that these things usually aren't cancer and seem relatively common. My experience is that my doctors have not been very speedy with my case. I am going to call specialists on my own on Mon- so we are in the same boat!

[Wilburis]

Thank you everyone.

NervUs

Can you keep me updated on how you get on with your throat?

I having a lot of post nasal stuff- yuck.

xx

[Wilburis]

Hi

Ive just spoken to my GP and he said he is referring me as "one of the boxes" to tick on the urgent referral form is a persistent sore throat for over 3 weeks.

But Im still here, swallowing copious amounts of thin liquid from my nose.

I wonder why he doesnt think my soreness is coming the constant drip on the side I sleep on?

x

[MyNameIsTerry]

My brother had a sore throat for months and was referred urgently. It turned out to be a swollen nodule which they just removed and that's been the end of it years on.

[Wilburis]

Hello MyNameIsTerry

Im really glad your brother is oK.

x