Welcome to OCF! Im sorry you are not being listened to at your different appointments. I cant imagine how frustrating that must be!

As you already know all this stress is only making everything so much harder on you. Maybe try looking at this from a different point of view? Worrying has never, ever gotten anyone diagnosed or changed a test result. All it does is make the patient feel so much worse. Not eating or sleeping is not helping you in any way. Please do your very best to avoid the worrying and negative thinking, its only making you feel so much worse. When you find yourself "going there", limit the time you spend on it and then physically get up and "change the channel". I mean go do something positive that you must concentrate on. When I first was diagnosed with OC almost 10 years ago, thats how I managed to avoid worrying. I had the cleanest closets in town too Over the years Ive seen hundreds of people come thru here upset, stressed out and scared they had OC. Most of these people luckily did not have anything serious going on. I genuinely hope you wont either!

Many of the people I mentioned above had "known" they are HPV+. Many things are not known about HPV, but we do know most of the adult population has it at one point or another. Research is still being conducted to learn more about HPV. Most people can clear the disease without it ever going on to do any damage. Only a very few strains out of hundreds can go on to cause cancer. Even if someone has the cancer causing HPV strain, it still does not mean they will ever have it turn into cancer.

If you have been here reading posts, then you probably have come across our saying... "any mouth sore that does not heal on its own within 2 to 3 weeks should get checked by a professional." The latest problem you have may very well resolve itself on its own. Its very common for OC patients to have no symptoms at all until they are Stage IV. From what I know, dizziness could be related to blood pressure (or many other ailments like TMJ, vertigo, ear infection, etc) and one lymph node being swollen a couple years ago probably isnt anything serious. The things you have mentioned by themselves may not be anything serious. Putting them all together could be a sign of something not being right, but.... with the worrying and stress put into the mix it might not be anything serious either (at least I hope not).

I would suggest seeking out another ENT who treats OC patients ---- NOT kids. Dont allow the office scheduler dictate how serious your condition is. They arent in your situation, they arent scared or upset and worried. But... even though the person making your appointment doesnt completely understand, you may want to keep that to yourself. Make sure you "kill them with kindness" and be as nice and polite as possible. Ive found being pleasant greatly increases the chance of getting exactly what you want. If they still wont give you the right doctor then ask why not. Many ENTs who treat OC patients are super booked and it can take weeks to get and appointment. I would also contact your medical insurance company and let them know everything you told us about your lack of care and ask them to help you too.

Once you have the appointment then your real work begins. Especially if the doctor isnt the type to listen. You have only about the first 2 minutes to explain whats wrong before they tune things out and only half listen. Plan what to say and get the most important things out there first so they pay attention to your concerns. Without a suspicion of a serious illness its doubtful you will get a CT scan. I hope in the future you find the right doctor to take you seriously and work to find a reason behind your symptoms (hopefully NOT cancer).

Best wishes!!!


PS... April is oral cancer awareness month. We have many professionals doing free OC screenings all over the country. Maybe theres one near you? Thats something you should check into.

OCF Events --- April free OC screenings