Hi... I just found this board because I'm researching oral cancer.

My background... I used large quantities of anabolic steroids from age 16-20.

I started a company in which we refinished wooden decks, and never used protection when using the stain even though the cans warned that the stain was a carcinogen. I performed labor for this company for a few years, but haven't done it in probably 7 years or so.

I rarely consume alcohol, but a few years ago, while going through a divorce, I drank pretty much every day for a year. Before that, it was probably something like 1 beer a year. Now its probably a couple glasses of wine per month.

I started chewing tobacco when I was 19 and I am now 34.

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For the last couple of years, I have been eating chips at night (Doritos, etc.) because my throat feels constricted and eating the chips helps lubricate it by causing saliva to flow. But please understand that I don't feel that something is caught in my throat... Just a general constriction...

I have had leukoplakia a few times.

But now... The reason for my research... My mouth has been numb for about a week. It is really weird. I have no lesions or sores in my mouth. My mouth was burning for a couple days before the numbness. I've stopped chewing tobacco now. Yesterday, my left lymph node on my neck became tender.


Sorry to bring up an inappropriate thing, but it makes me think that somehow that could have caused my symptoms.

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Okay, so a little more background... I have a 138 IQ which makes me pretty smart. I also have a built in detection system that sniffs out b.s. and 'unsure answers' so doctors irritate me. They seem to like to say things like "I think it's probably..." Unsure. Irritating. Not saying that responses here will be irritating. Not at all. But am saying that doctors often irritate me.

And in the spirit of total honesty, I am a bit of a hypochondriac and have had anxiety attacks in which I though I was having heart attacks and went to the hospital on several occasions. Embarassing.

If you had my symptoms of mouth numbness preceded by burning mouth and now a tender left lymph node, what would you do? There is no sore.

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

WC,

Must say that's quite a post. Anyway,

I know you think doctors irrate you but you need to see a cancer qualified ENT ASAP. You may not have cancer at all but if you do you don't want to waste time in finding out.

Mostly we are not doctors but we all have either experienced oral cancer or are the caregivers to those people and we can all say, oral cancer is nothing to treat lightly.

Wow, where to begin. I must agree with David you need to see a cancer qualified ENT. A thorough investigation in to all your symptoms is the only thing that will put your anxiety to rest. You have several risk factors and symptoms that cause concern, don't hesitate get checked out. If you aren't satisfied or simply want confirmation then get multiple opinions.

I hope that all your test/exams return negative results.

Thanks, guys... ENT = otolaryngologist? Is that right?

Anybody know anything about the numbness? I will contact an ENT, tomorrow.

Thanks, again, and looking forward to additional input.

Yes ENT + otolaryngologist. Numbness wasn't a symptom I had. In fact I had no symptoms other than a swollen lymphnode on my neck. I have lots of numbness now but that's due to nerve damage during my neck disection surgery.

Good Luck

If you are anywhere near Denver, the University of Colorado has a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Aurora -- the only CCC in Colorado -- as well as a ENT specialty office. The search information (including phone #s) is available here .

Be sure that the doctor you see is a specialist in head and neck tumors (i.e., not one who sees mostly hearing problems or deals with balance issues).

All the best,
Leslie

Thanks... I'm in about 45 minutes north of Denver. I will check out the CCC in Aurora. I really appreciate that info... I hate going to a family doctor knowing that he'll most likely give me a referral to a specialist... Thanks, again.

Here are the ENTs affiliated with the CU head and neck cancer clinic. Given your history (chewing tobacco and leukoplakia), it's best to get it checked out by someone who has dealt with hundreds of patients with similar symptoms.

Keep coming back!

All the best,
Leslie

I agree that your inclusion of your sexual event with you wife was inappropriate and not needed, unless your true concern is that your wife has some genital disease that she passed on to your mouth..........in that case, you're on the wrong board.
I hope you're here, telling your details among people that are truly suffering, so you can get good medical advice and not to get some type of strange attention. The integrity of this board is guarded closely so please behave accordingly. With that said, if you truly are in need of medical help, this is the place you will find it. I'm not trying to make you feel unwelcome, but ever since a poster named Robert, my guard is up when posts such as yours appear.
Minnie