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Swelling bellow right ear

Fr70
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I started with a swelling below my right ear 4 years ago. The pain has gotten worse and worse. Headache all day every day. Struggling to swallow and earache is getting worse. I have been backwards and forwards to my doctor for 4 years asking for help. My health has gone so bad that feel like I'm on my last legs. I feel they have missed some kind of cancer. Either neck. Head. Lymph or salivary gland. I'm absolutely terrified. Struggling with life. 

  • Hello and thanks for your enquiry,

    I am sorry to learn that you are worried about some long standing ear and neck symptoms. It isn't that likely to be cancer, given the long timeframe though, as most cancers would have other symptoms develop in a shorter period of time. But unfortunately, as nurses, we can't give you a detailed medical opinion on your situation.

    If you have not had any investigations done, then do speak with your GP, or another GP, and tell them your health concerns, and whether they could refer you on for tests or to a hospital specialist.

    I hope that you are able to get this addressed soon,

    Best wishes,

    Vanda

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Vanda

    I keep hoping somone will help when I ask for it. No one ever does not my gp, not my local hospital When I'm dead I won't be able to say I asked for help.

  • in reply to Fr70

    We're really sorry to hear this Fr70 and know how frustrating this must be but as mentioned above, we unfortunately cannot diagnose you or advise about your symptoms as it is only a doctor who can examine and assess you and decide if further investigation is needed.

    Nurse Vanda has given you some good advice but we can see from your post that these ongoing symptoms are also causing a great deal of stress and anxiety, so we wanted to signpost you to some other services which may be able to help you with your health anxiety and mental health.

    Hopefully your GP will be able to give you the final peace of mind and reassurance you're looking for but in the meantime it may be worth seeking out further help and support with managing your health anxiety, especially if it feels like it's taking over your life.
    You can get some useful information and advice from the mental health charity Anxiety UK. Tips for managing health anxiety can also be found on the NHS website, but make sure you mention this to your GP as they will be able to make you aware of services in your local area that can help you with this as well.
    I hope this helps Fr70 and you know more about your situation soon.
    Kind regards,
    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

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