Hi,

I have seen an ENT Specialist twice in the last 2 years, the last appointment was only 2 days ago.

Typically, the specialist will ask about your symptoms, when they started, have they worsened or remained constant. They may ask questions about past ailments you’ve had (e.g. if you’ve ever had Glandular Fever).

He/she will have a good thorough feel of your neck, jawline, behind the ears and take a look in your mouth and ears. The mouth exam will need you to move your tongue upwards and also to each side so that you can be thoroughly inspected.

He/she will probably have a look down your nasal passages and into your throat via a nasal endoscope. You are given a little anaesthetic sprayed into each nostril, so this isn’t painful - just mildly uncomfortable.

Pending what they see, they may conclude you need no further investigation or, as in my case this week, they may arrange some blood samples to be taken (mainly to look for signs of viral infection) and refer you on for (typically) an ultrasound of your neck. Note: This, and all of the above, is a reflection of solely my experience and may vary for you. Hopefully, unlike me, you will get an instant ‘all clear’, but ensure you ask questions there and then so that you come away totally satisfied with doubts put to bed (wherever possible). Good luck.

Dave

I also have my first ENT appointment next week, so thanks for the infromation Dave.

Robbo, I agree, it's the waiting that is the worse and my mind is working overtime. Do you have any other symptoms?

Best wishes

Hi Dave

Thanks so much for the reply it’s greatly appreciated. It’s hard enough waiting let alone not knowing what will happen. 

I do hope you get the all clear. Good luck  

Wishing you well

RobboS

Hi Ayyjaybea

ivevbeen having night sweats too but not every night. 

I had my bloods done a full mot and all was well except my pre-menapausal levels were slightly elevated. I’m in my early 40’s so hoping all this is related to ‘the change’ do you have any other symptoms?

all the best of luck to you too

RobboS

Hi RobboS,

Thanks for the best wishes.

I have an ultrasound this morning and I have a mental ‘league table’ of news starting with best possible to worst possible to prepare myself! Due to my chest tightness, fatigue and night sweats, I am expecting bad news, so if my suspicions are correct, I’m hoping it’s not a carcinoid tumour in the lungs, and is a treatable/curable Lymphoma at worst. It’s the chest tightness that has me worried (as I don’t normally suffer this from a viral infection).

I know the waiting is awful, but at least you know you are on the way to knowing what’s wrong and, if required, starting the fight to being well again. I’ve not enjoyed these symptoms, so the thought of kicking them into touch does have it’s appeal! 

All the best,

Dave

Good luck Dave, hope you hear something right off the bottom of the league tables.

[@RobboS]‍ I didn't even know night sweats were anything to do with the big C ... I have them occasionally but thought it was because I am a woman of a certain age.  I have had a sore throat for nearly a year, constantly clearing my throat, ears feel pressured, dizziness.  I have previously been told I have an enlarged thyroid and some nodules on it, but it checked out OK a few years ago.  

Not sure what to think ..... up till now they have been treating me for acid reflux.

Interesting you mention reflux. My ENT Specialist prescribed Omeprazole and Gaviscon Advance the other day as I had signs of silent reflux in my throat when he took a look down there.

Fortunately, the ultrasound passed without concern (reactive nodes only) but my headaches and chest issues now need to be looked into. So I’m seeing my GP later today (as it’s not ENT’s place to comment on these issues). If this is a virus (which I hope it is), it’s an absolute monster!

Dave

Glad to hear that your ultrasound was clear and you can tick that off your list :)

Fingers crossed for a monster of a virus !

Thank you - much appreciated.

I hope you and RobboS end up with false alarms.

I’m not out of the woods yet (symptoms still prominent and unusual for me), but it’s definitely better than a bad ultrasound result.

Cheers all.

Hi Both,

So happy for you Dave that you got the all clear with the nodes. What a relief. 

I’m with ayyjaybea let’s hope it’s a monster of a virus. 

Yep [@ayyjaybea]‍ I’m with u I didn’t know night sweats were a possibly sign of the big C either  what other symptoms are u having?

Just to update u both I had my appointment today and the consultant said I had raised lymph nodes and sent me of to have a scan I got the all clear on my nodes and was told they are reactive and due to having a skinny neck (nobody has ever told me that before) that’s why I can see and feel bumps. However while doing the scan they have found something on my thyroid. And it all happened very quickly but 2 biopsy’s were done. No local anaesthetic but Fluid was taken. The doctor said it’s unusual to have a nodule on your thyroid especially as all my results including thyroid have been clear. 

I’ve got to wait for the results and back to Ent in 2 weeks to get them. I’m hoping it’s nothing. 

The cosultant did put a camera up my nose and into my throat and that’s all clear which is good. 

I just wasn’t expecting something else to be picked up.

a waiting game again.

Although feeling more positive that it’s nothing

Ayyjaybea keep us posted on ur appointment And you too Dave. 

Beat wishes

RobboS 

ps I too get a tight chest almost like someone is pressing on something under my breast bone but I completely forgot to mention it to the consultant. :(