| | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 6 "OCF Down Under" Member | OP  "OCF Down Under" Member
Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 6 | Hello. I am an 18 year old female. I noticed a painless small white bead on the floor of my mouth about 6 months ago. I have been a heavy smoker for 4 years.
I also have a feeling of being pricked (very lightly) in my plica fimbriata (the "fringe" things under your tongue).
I didn't see a doctor because when this started, my mother died. I stopped caring about the bead under my tongue and forgot about it.
I am convinced I have oral cancer. Now, I have a feeling like something is stuck in my throat. I downplayed the importancy of it, chalking it up to be "globus hystericus", thinking it was more anxiety induced psychological problem rather than a physical one. Until I felt my neck.
I'm not sure how to explain this. But I feel a "lump" in the middle of my neck. I am so convinced I have cancer. The only thing I think about is cancer. I cry all the time. I feel really, really scared. My mum would always re-assure me that it wasn't cancer but now she is dead and I have nobody. I can't stop thinking about it. I am so depressed. I'm crying writing this right now.
I can't see a doctor right now because my dad damaged his leg and I can't drive. I need to wait for his leg to heal before I can get it seen to. I do not live in a 'major city' so the doctors office is a bit far away.
I don't know what to do. I'm CONVINCED I have cancer. I know nobody can diagnose me online, but I just need some relief  I think about this all the time. It controls my life. I have never been so scared in my life. Please help. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,293 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,293 Likes: 1 | Welcome to OCF and so sorry to hear about losing your Mom and your Dad having a bum leg. As you are concerned and this is really messing with your mind you must find a way to get to an ENT doctor to get this checked and treated or put your mind at ease.
This is really important so you may have to put yourself out there a bit and ask for some help from neighbors, friends, o anyone who can help provide transportation to see the doctor. Even though this seems a hurdle, please pick up a pencil and write a few names down then call them.
Call the county community services number. Call the county health department. Call the local church. I am certain there is a resource that can help get you to the doctor. You can get over this first step.
You will feel much less stressed once you make the call and get things going.
Good luck
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Welcome to OCF! Im so sorry to read of the things you have been thru at such a young age.
Please do yourself a huge favor and try to calm down. Being upset only causes more stress which can make everything more difficult. Only thru a biopsy can it be determined if you have cancer.
I suggest calling around to get an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT), one who specializes in oral cancer. Not that this is what you have! These are the most experienced doctors and can better diagnose your symptoms much faster than someone without that background. If its not possible for your father to take you, do you have friends or other relatives, even a neighbor who could drive you? It may take a couple weeks to get into the proper ENT, probably a couple more weeks before you get any results from a biopsy. This is only one reason why its in your best interest to try to stay calm about your situation. Its unhealthy to be stressed for weeks. It might be a good plan to see your family doctor to discuss some medications to help with anxiety.
First thing you must do is QUIT SMOKING IMMEDIATELY! This is not optional, it must happen right away. Your mouth could be irritated by the chemical additives in the tobacco which could be aggravating something simple. By eliminating the irritants it will give your mouth a chance to heal. I know its not easy to quit, I smoked for far too many years and quit cold turkey. I made the decision to quit knowing the damage was already done but I didnt have to make everything worse by continuing to smoke. Please let this be your wake up call and get rid of all tobacco products for good.
Hopefully this is nothing serious. Best wishes!!!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 64 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2014 Posts: 64 | I know how you feel im going thru the same thing but im 16 and a male I feel your pain the fear. my doctor told my I just had a throat infection but im still scared its been a week and the infection is still here to make it worse I think I have warts on my tonsil and top Pilates or whatever its called im really sorry about your mom my mom was like your mom always tried to cheer me up in the days I was scared and sad because I thought I had oral cancer I feel for u don't worry I wish I was with u I would help anyway I could please don't be scared mabe its nothing I will pray for you and your family
Teen with questions and willing to help and give support any way I can
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 286 "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 286 | Stressing, smoking and Googling are the 3 worst things you can do. Stop all 3 and see a doctor.
Cheers, Dave (OzMojo) 19Feb2014 Diagnosed T2N2bM0 P16+ve SCC Tonsil. 31Mar2014 2 Cisplatin, 70gy over 7 weeks (completed 16May2014) 11August2014 PET/CT clear. 17July2019 5 years NED.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Listen to everyone else and somehow get to see an ENT asap. Do stop using ALL tobacco products immediately and FOREVER regardless of what this turns out to be.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | It sounds like you have worried about this or another cancer before or for a long time now. Please keep pursuing the physical aspects of your medical diagnosis but also don't neglect the psychological aspects. You've certainly experienced some traumatic events and perhaps someone equipped to help process the changes in your life can help you. Crying is good but not being able to control emotions and function because of it is a sign there's more going on.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 6 "OCF Down Under" Member | | OP "OCF Down Under" Member
Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 6 | I am scared I won't be taken seriously when I go to my doctor (on Monday). I am an 18 year old female, I was a heavy smoker for 4 years (I am down to 1 cigarette a day from a whole pack). I am HPV negative. I have been worrying myself endlessly researching oral cancer online. It is more common than Leukaemia which is frightening. It is in the rise amongst young women in my age group. I am NOT a hypochondriac, I feel I do have good reason to be worried. Whenever my estrogen/progesterone levels "peak" (when I have my period in specific) I get a nagging ache in my tongue. Estrogen has been linked to the progression of oral cancer!! (article I read: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/735284I have an endocrine disorder which stops me from menstruating. I can go months without having a period, and when I do, my tongue worries me to the nth degree. Here are the areas of my tongue that are worrying me: http://imgur.com/igaEiOPhttp://imgur.com/D0BnHXVWhat steps do I need to take to get these things biopsied? Do I go to a dentist? A doctor? An ENT? I am clueless!! I cannot sleep because I am so damn worried
Last edited by young and worried; 09-06-2014 06:41 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | As I explained in my previous post, you need to seek out an ENT who specializes in oral cancer.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 6 "OCF Down Under" Member | | OP "OCF Down Under" Member
Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 6 | Sorry if I am bothering you all -- I am just very nervous and I am unsure how to use this site - thank you everyone for the feedback you have given me, I will keep you all updated, just anxious that is all.. | | |
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