Throat, Oesopghegal, and Lymphoma Terrified

19 yo, never smoked, never drunk -- due to start uni September -- musician

8 weeks pain swallowing, hoarseness ,pain speaking (laryngeal - voice very sore and changed), neck pain, ear pain, persistent cough, chest pain. Feels like lump, being strangled and feels like food is difficult to swallow. Also noticed some frequent belching. - still worsening

--- Been on PPI for months and treid gaviscon jsut in case of element of reflux.

Extreme fatigue (can hardly get up anymore as so tired, Nausea and huge loss of appetite, often dizzy faint. Often feel cold and have noticed some itching around body.)

Been tested for everything under the sun autoimmune, rheumatological, infectious diseases.-- all negative. I don't have glandular fever, never have done, dont have bacterial or viral infection. Bloods completely normal.

Was referred to 2WW Head and Neck, begged the reg to do Nasoendoscopy, he didnt take me seriously when I came in. Said it all looked fine in the throat. Sent me for MRI (results in 3 days, but Im sure if anything was found they would ahve called me back in rather than leaving it 4 weeks). Worried about the images as I have post nasal drip-- gagging during MRI -- radiographer told me during it to keep still as they were blurry...

I'm quite astute about what goes on and whether wise or not I have read every medical ENT journal there is, and every possible cause has been ruled out, other than malignancy. Everyone I see thinks I'm a med student for some reason..

Now since MRI, have noticed swollen hard palpable node on RS neck - getting bigger it seems.                                              Terrified of lymphoma --  what do I do, beg for heama referral from GP or beg at Head and Neck ENT??                                       Also terrified of oesophegal -- FNE doesnt look past larynx. No one will refer me for upper GI scope.

Nightmare year -- suffering from comorbidities -- bacterial prostatitis that only shows up in semen not urine. and unexplained abdominal RIF sharp (appendicitis like) - now general pain. 4x admissions to ward just for this.

What do I do , i am going out of my mind, having been in and out hospital since janruary, its taken over my whole life. NHS feels like brick wall and convinced the throat thing is cancer as the only other explanations have been ruled out. I just wnat someone to take out this node and tell me everythings fine -- despite how trivial that soubnds.

 

  • Hi Dan

    Welcome to the forum and I'm sorry to hear about the health problems you've been dealing with this past year. It sounds like it's been a difficult time for you. 

    You mention that your MRI results were due soon. Have you had that appointment? I hope that the consultant was able to give you some positive news. 

    Understandably when dealing with health issues for a while it can increase our stress levels, particularly when the cause of the problems can't be found. I sense  from your post that you've been feeling particularly anxious and I wondered if you'd spoken to your GP about this. It's certainly worth mentioning so that they can offer any additional support that  may be appropriate while you're dealing with these problems. 

    Alternatively if you think it would help to chat things through with one of our nurses you can call them on  0808 800 4040 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). 

    I do hope that you have some answers soon. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Hi Jenn 

    Thanks for your reply and advice. I actually saw a psychatrist yesterday to help manage this -- can't hurt!

    some good news - saw the registrar and MRI was unremarkable, although large black hole in the image because of dental braces.

    Seeing as nodes seemed enlarged and symptoms worsening he sent me for neck ultrasound with FNA. Reg ultrasonographer said nodes seem normal but didn't feel them. He suggested not doing FNA as if it came back negative they wouldn't be any further to knowing what is wrong. He said he would write to consultant and suggest PET scan to look for any low grade uptake. He said the systemic nature of the symtpoms means its likely rheumatological (been tested for-- all normal) or lymphoma.

    Not sure how to feel as still worried but I know this is good news that nothing is abnormal on MRI.