Hi Everyone, I wanted to tell you guys about my ENT appointment yesterday. I am not sure what I think of this doctor. Okay so he did a flexible laryngoscopy on me (with the tube going into the nose and then I had to vocalize and also stick my tongue way out while he looked.) It is not the kind with a video camera or anything- it is basically a one time look and the doc tells me what he thinks. He said that it is very swollen and irritated and that I "still" have nodules on "both vocal cords" . He says the nodules are like callouses, they are areas of thickened, hardened skin. I asked him why I have these and he said he doesn't know, possibly acid reflux. He gave a script for that. He also felt my thyroid nodule and said we need to get a scan of that. He says he does not see oral cancer but he cannot rule out thyroid cancer. I asked him if he is sure that the vocal cord nodules are benign and he said "I think so." But there was no talk of biopsy or any of that. He seemed more focused on me getting a scan of my thyroid. He did say that "we need to keep an eye on those throat nodules" and I am to take the reflux med and come back to see him in August (16th). He said it is hard to see my throat due to the inflammation and he is hoping this will cause it to be less swollen so he can take another look then. Meanwhile, I will be having a thyroid CT next week.
I am a little confused because I thought the only way to know for sure is to biopsy- isn't that right? I have had hoarseness now for going on 3 years. I have been to this doctor many times about that and another ENT too. But now that my throat is burning like fire and on right side only, and right ear is also involved, it concerns me even more. I sure hope these small town doctors know what they are talking about. I drive in 2 hours to Shreveport to see my MS doctor because there are no good neurologists down here, and I am starting to wonder if I need to go ahead and find an ENT in Shreveport and get a real second opinion. What do you guys think about all of this? Opinions? Advice? All are welcomed and needed- THANK YOU!!! I really appreciate you guys!!
Much love,
Ellen