Hi John, 

34 yo female here. Found a lump in my neck 2.5weeks ago and put on 2ww referral by my GP. The whole process has been utterly terrifying. 

I feel prepared for the outcomes but I just need to know. 

I thought the 2ww would get me answers soon but I don't feel that way. I had my first appointment on Monday and they confirmed I needed a scan. Now waiting for an appt to come through. It feels long and difficult to get to a  position where I know anything. 

Now I feel that nothing Will happen till new year I'm trying to put it to the back of my mind it feels slight Better. 

Hope you can too. 

Lucy

Hi Lucy,

I know exactly what you mean. Like I said I've just been referred today but I know it'll be after New Year when I hear anything. It's the not knowing that's the worst. Surely it's got to be quicker than this for people going through the anxiety. I will post as soon as I know anything. I sincerely hope you get good news and closure soon Lucy. Thank you very much for your reply.

Sending virtual hugs and I'll pray for you.

Thank you

John

Hi John,

I have the same symptoms as you. Acid reflux on a daily basis for around 2 years now. It causes me to feel like I have a bit of a lump in my throat and sometimes an annoying cough. I think the acid irritates the esophagus. I was advised to take anti acid meds which help a lot but as soon as I stop taking them the acid starts up again. There are quite a few reasons as to why you may be getting acid reflux, gerd, hiatal hernia etc. Most of them not sinister. I spend a lot of time researching it. I try to eat carefully as a lot of foods, spicy or acidic make it worse. I don't drink alcohol or caffeine. It does concern me that over time, the constant acid going into your throat, could cause some serious problems so it's important for you to try to get it under control which, I'm sure, will be discussed at your ENT appt. I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry.  I am an extremely anxious person, especially with regards to health issues so I know exactly how you feel but stay calm as stress will actually make your symptoms worse. Acid reflux is extremely common. I am a 48 yr old female so similar age to you. I find if I keep myself active, ( I run a lot ) it really helps me to stay in a positive mindset STAY OFF Dr Google, it will only give you worse case senarios ️ Wishing you all the best and always happy to chat 

Ashley

Hi Ash,

Thank you so very much for your reply, its really helped me. I had Acid Reflux really bad around 10 years ago and had the endoscopy where my esophagus was all inflamed and they said I had what looked like the start of a Hiatus Hernia. I was wondering if it could be that. It's this lump in the throat that's got me most worried. I've never had it before. Like u said going on the Internet is the worst thing anyone can do but can't help it with the time people have to wait around for appointments. Anyway, I hope you have a fantastic Christmas with your family and a healthy and prosperous 2022. Thanks again for reply.

Sincere regards

John

Hi John

I’m going through something very similar right now, I’ve had the feeling of a lump in my throat, soreness, increasing difficulty swallowing comfortably & recently swelling around the neck. I’ve had problems with a recurring rear molar tooth infection that has to be operated on in hospital due to my other health conditions ( heart failure among others) & have been bounced around between my GP, dentist & hospital for 4 months now & while the tooth infection clears up with antibiotics for a time,  the throat just seemed to get worse. I had a date for the tooth removal but I’ve been fearing that this has been masking the real problem which is in my throat & until I insisted to my GP that it was looked at urgently by ENT they were just letting it ride believing it to be a dental issue! Now I have finally been referred & will be seeing the ENT for a proper scan next week but I’m very nervous about what they’re going to find as I’m pretty sure it’s cancerous. All I can say is that my father had larangeal cancer about 20 years ago & went through a similar process of worry & fear as he had been a smoker, as I have been, & after 4 weeks of radiotherapy was ultimately cured & is happily still with us at the age of 95! Basically as long as most throat cancers are found relatively early the chances of a full recovery are pretty good so while I’m very scared & nervous of a positive diagnosis, as you are, the probabilities of a good result are encouraging so you’ve done the right thing by getting in there early!

good luck!

NeilF

Hi NeilF,

Cheers for replying buddy. It's a bloody nightmare waiting around and not knowing what's going on. I'm an anxious bloke anyway and this waiting is doing my nut in as I'm sure it's affecting you the same way too. It'll be after New Year for the appt for me given the time of year I imagine. I understand when people say do something to keep you occupied and don't worry but I can help it, it's all consuming. I sincerely hope you get the good news you want my friend.

My thoughts and prayers are with you buddy.

John

Hi John mate. 

Yeah i know exactly how the fear & panic grab you by the throat ( literally I might add!) & that grip seems to just get tighter until eventually you finally know where you stand after the tests,..but It’s the anticipation that it could Have spread farther & faster that keeps you awake at  night & climbing the walls til it screws up your sleep pattern & then you start worrying why you’re so knackered all the time! It can be a really vicious circle some times & hard to break that line of of thought but try to look at it this way buddy, the more you let your mind run riot  ( & very logically sometimes too) the more precious energy you waste on negative thoughts rather than thinking positively about all the incredible new treatments that are now coming online!

For example PDT (Photo Dynamic Therapy) was developed more than 25 years ago & has proven (in combination with a more limited radiotherapy session) to be amazingly effective at getting rid of the smaller tours like in the throat, or the bowel in just a few DAYS! Obviously it’s use won’t be right for everyone & each case varies but there are a whole bunch of treatments like that out there now making a huge difference where surgery & chemo were the only hope at the time my Dad got cured & he came through unbelievably well as I said earlier! I have to try to train myself to think positively because it’s very easy to let the fear & worry take over & I have to admit there are times when you can’t avoid the odd meltdown but a positive attitude & keeping well informed on all the new developments helps ease the panic & turns it into real hope & a positive ‘I’m gonna beat this *** thing’  attitude! ..at least that’s how im trying to approach it & if my results are hopefully sufficiently early then I know that the team will direct me to the treatment with the best possible results!..then of course there are all the new trial programmes that are up & running for brand new treatments that you can get on to so there’s lots to think positively about my friend! 

All my very best hopes & wishes for you buddy & take care ok!

NeilF

Sorry to hear that you are struggling, John. 

Acid reflux can commonly cause the lump in the throat feeling, as can anxiety (Globus sensation). It sounds like you've had difficulties with acid reflux and a hiatus hernia for a while and it could just be getting worse. Do you take omeprazole/lanzaprazole for this? 

I went through a spell of anxiety relating to swallowing/my throat and I kept regurgitating food and feeling like food was stuck. If you have become more aware of any symptoms then anxiety can cause so much (I should know!). 

Waiting is horrible - I'm waiting for further investigations too and my next appointment isn't until 6/1/22 so I completely get how you're feeling. For now, I'm trying to focus as much as possible on the here and now and staying away from horrible Dr Google.

Take care,

Helen

Hi Michelle,

Not the best - just so anxious! How are you?

x