It's been a week and a half or so since I went to the ENT. I thought my throat and tongue were getting better but it seems to flare up sometimes and be hardly noticeable other times. I try to keep an eye on the back side of my tongue where the sensitivity is, and it doesn't seems to change at all, for better or worse. The inflamed part of my throat seems to be just behind that area, right where I can't see it. I know i shouldn't, but I do feel around back there from time to time, and when I do, the pain or sensitivity goes away temporarily, but then ends up being worse later. No blood or weird smell.

The blood in my nose that I was experiencing for a good amount of time was at the surface in the nostril, and with some neosporine, has gone away completely.

I do notice when I go to the gym, and when I clench really hard, I can feel the lymph node behind my jaw pop out, but once again this has been the same for a really long time.

The "lump" on the front region of my tongue is not visible, changing color, or getting bigger. It feels more like a line of scar tissue, which was something I had seen mentioned in another post.

It just seems really weird that everything is on the left side, and stemming from the jaw area which is where I first noticed an abnormality. My left neck and jaw have always been more prominent. This has also been one of the most stressful years of my life, and this is not helping anything. I have read a lot about TMJ and how stress effects it and whatnot, but I don't know if there is any way for doctors to truly diagnose it.

I would like to go to a CCC as Christine has mentioned, but when I look at the website it seems like they only take people who have been diagnosed with cancer, not for screenings.

I'm really at a loss for what to do. Nothing seems to be getting better or worse. Could this be allergies? TMJ? Anything else? I just would like some kind of diagnosis. If it is C, I just want to catch it early. I already feel like I have waited too long.

Sorry for the long post. I think I needed to vent...

Remind us, what did the ENT suggest?

The ENT just scoped my nose and throat and said she didn't see anything abnormal. she said there was some irritation in my nose, but it was most likely dryness, and that did heal, although i do see blood specs very rarely.

It feels like there is just a mass or swelling right behind the lymph node in my jaw on the left side that pushes my lymph node out and maybe even is causing the sensitivity in my tongue. I just have no idea if it is indeed a mass or some kind of swollen muscle.

Well they could do an FNA (fine needle aspiration) and see what's going on with your node. Good luck

What did the ENT say about the mass or the node?

The ENT said the node felt a little swollen, but didn't feel any abnormal mass. I think that is why the wouldn't do a FNA.

I did find this site about head pain, and the bit about the symptoms regarding the digastric are very reflective of what I have been feeling. I don't really know how credible it is.

http://round-earth.com/HeadPainIntro.html

You should insist on the FNA. I had a lump in the side of my neck that was dismissed by my primary doc. and then by an ENT doc. Then when they finally decided to do the FNA It was 4 months later. well It came up SCC. Not to scare you I am sure you are scared enough at this point. Just get it done so you can carry on with your life, or start the good fight.

In May, Richard was seen by our GP, who dismissed his symptom as an infection, enlarged lymph node and prescribed antibiotics. He then was seen by his ENT and scoped, no issues. The lump kept getting bigger. Finally, they did a PET and an FNA and it came back positive for SCC. This took about 1 1/2 months to get it right and start treatment. Thank God they finally figured it out - the worst part was not knowing and relying on "guesswork".
Hope they get it right for you, Jon, and you can move forward with courage and confidence.
Barbara (CG)

So I just called Moore's for a second opinion, but they second my insurance won't cover any of it. So I tried to get a follow up/second opinion through my insurance, but they don't have an appointment for over a month.

I have had this sore throat and sore side of my tongue for over a month and a half. It's not getting better, if anything its worse. Should I try to see my dentist? Or go back to primary care and try to get another referral?

I don't think i can go another month without being looked at.

Keep trying. It takes an average of 9 months to be diagnosed, in some cases, probably more from misdiagnosis, although insurance or lack of insurance plays an important part in being able seeing a specialist to begin with. Good luck.