First off I'm 28, was heavy drinker in my teens, but now only herbal, and trying to quit ciggs.... I've been having alota problems with my throat for the past 3-4 years. I've been to the er many times, and every time I go they say I need to see a specialist for my throat. I than begun trying to find affordable insurance coverage so I can actually make that apt. Well I've done everything the govnt has asked me to, but still I get denied medical coverage from covered California, as well as medi-cal. I've been to hell n back. Spent money I don't have, n n time I could of spent better. I've went through the county and had every std test done numerous times all negative, they refer me to my dentist.,my dentist gives me a oral exam n says yet the same thing I need to,see a specialist....... Now how do I do that if I the only insurance that will except me to see the " specialist" is ones that cost as much,as rent...... I'm on my last leg here.... I just seen that commercials n now I'm here

Hello Gonefishin: Welcome to the forum and family.

I understand your grief and exasperation about the insurance situation. Have you tried to contact the American Cancer Society. It seems I have heard they have some financial assistance programs, but I know very little about them.

Other than that I don't have any suggestions. Hopefully others will give helpful opinions.

In the meantime, I know it's difficult to quit smoking and drinking, but you have to try.

I quit drinking in my early 20's, ciggs I don't smoke rarely, however herb is the only thing that helps, I don't like taking pills....

Hiya Gone Fishin'

Sorry you're having a rough time. It's good you gave up the heavy drinking. Giving up smoking altogether will be beneficial and prudent as well. Some here have used the "natural" pain relievers through treatment.

From what you've said, you've been tested and seen several times and everything appears to be normal. You've yet to see an ENT? Then again, if you've had throat pain for 3-4 years, you'd be pretty ill by now if it were sinister.

I hope you sort out the red tape and get to the bottom of things.

Positive thoughts

So sorry to hear you have gone thru so much attempting to get health insurance. This is a major nationwide problem many people face. I can imagine you must be terribly frustrated by now with all the hoops you have jumped thru.

Instead of paying the high costs of going to an ER or dentist, it would be better to put those $$$ into seeing an ENT. You should get scoped where the doc sticks a very thin tube with a camera on it down your throat to see whats happening. It could be anything. Until you get to the correct specialist its unlikely you will ever get this taken care of with being diagnosed.

Since this has been going on for so many years, I would doubt its anything too serious. As far as smoking goes, quit now and give your throat a break from all those known cancer causing chemicals. It could simply be irritated and by avoid what is irritating it will give your body a chance to heal. I know its not easy to quit, I am a former smoker.

An STD test will not show if you have oral cancer from HPV. There is no test to determine HPV in men. As far as HPV goes, most of the population will pick this up at some point. Most people will have it clear their bodies without it doing any serious damage. Only a very small percentage will have HPV go on to cause cancer. Your highest risk factors are the smoking and drinking. Those are optional and can be eliminated.

Hope you can get yourself checked out by an ENT soon so you know what is going on. It could be acid relux or some other easily fixable condition. Good luck!!!

I know it's expensive but it may be worth the cash to have it looked at, or maybe there is a free clinic somewhere or a dr. who will take payments?

I would avoid ANYTHING - that requires you ingesting smoke and lay off the alcohol for a bit. And as christine says, give your throat time to heal.

best of luck.

To your comment about bein sick after three years, it's been hell just trying to feel normal everyday..... Most days I wonder if my throats gonna close or something . The sensation of constantly halfta cough, or massage my throat ,that there's something in there.... I can't were a neck tie, cuase it makes me choke. This year started to get symptoms inside my mouth, bunch of pimple like all over, as well as I get continuously removing tonsils stones...... That's just a start on what I go through just to wake up everyday ......

This sounds like it could be a base of tongue tumor. I am not sure how your medical system works. But perhaps if you go into emerge - present with difficulty swallowing and say even breathing then they will scope you or scan you. Then you would know for sure what if anything is going on. Though that may cost more than seeing an ENT outright.

[quote=Cheryld]This sounds like it could be a base of tongue tumor. I am not sure how your medical system works. But perhaps if you go into emerge - present with difficulty swallowing and say even breathing then they will scope you or scan you. Then you would know for sure what if anything is going on. Though that may cost more than seeing an ENT outright. [/quote] it all began in 2010, when I started getting this feeling in my throat, constantly coughing, so I had medical coverage through my folks. But as soon as I went to get the camera down my throat, the next week my insurance got cut off. I've home to the emergency room many times and every time their response is that I need a specialist . But in order to see one I need to have insurance. And ny dentist referred me to ucsf San fransico to have a biopsy done of what they found ....... So if anyone can tell me were I go from here that be great

You're going to have to suck it up and pay to be examined by an ENT. Your life is worth more than the money you'd save by not having this looked at. Take care.