Hey everybody

I have a question that I could really use some feedback on. About two weeks ago I noticed a lump in my lower inner lip. I noticed(or hopefully caused)it when I bit my lip while chewing food. It does not hurt and is not visible and the inner lip looks completely fine. It almost feels like a fat lip that won't go away, but more defined.

I have chewed tobacco on and off for about 2 years and more often in the last 4-5 months. Some days I won't have any chew and some days I'll have 2-3.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thankyou!

Adam

Hi Adam,

I think everybody here will say in unison: Go and have a doctor check it out tomorrow! It very well is nothing to worry about but you need to know.

While you are at it, quit the chew today. If you need to see scars to scare you into quitting, let me know and I'll send you a picture.

Hi Adam,

I can add only some advice from Mark's post which was on the Money.

I never smoked much and I'm talking about 1 pack a week!!! The best advice I can give you is PLEASE DON'T USE SMOKING PRODUCTS IN ANY FORM!!
I wouldn't wish what I am going thru on anyone!!!

Go see your Doctor and get some piece of Mind.
Good Luck to you, Dan

I threw out my tobacco last night. After visiting this site and seeing what some people have been through, I didn't hesitate to throw it out. I am done and won't even think about using it again.

As far as getting it checked out, where do I go? I go to school at Iowa State and I am not sure if my insurance covers anything around here?

Adam

Hello Checker34, Congradulations on tossing the tobocco products out. I hope you can kick the habit for good.
As far as your insurance goes if you have an insurance card there should be a number to call to find out where you can go. To see a ENT Doctor you probably will need a referral from a primary care physican. You also may go see your dentist and have him check it out. He may also refer you to a ENT if needed. There are some people on this forum who may be able to tell you exactely what to do that work in the medical field. I hope it turns out to be nothing and you can refrain from any kind of tobocco usage.

Your Friend, Dan

The University of Iowa has a well respected dental school, which will have on staff a dental medicine specialist and an oral pathologist. Services provided by the university system are usually at no charge.

http://www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/public/visitor_info.html

Adam, great that you threw out the tobbacco. ENT stands for Ear Nose and Throat, a doctor that specializes in that area of the body. You may need to have a family/regular doc look at you first and get a referral. Brian's information may bypass the need for a referral. Insurance coverage or not get it checked now.

Try not to freak out! None of us are able to make a diagnosis. It may not be serious but the only way to know is to have it looked at and perhaps a biopsy (small sample) sent to a pathologist.

Let us know what the result is and I hope the best for you.

KUDOS for you Adam! I wish you could talk to my son. He's 27 years old and drinks and uses chew much to my dismay. On top of it all, he's diabetic. I think we all tend to think we're indestructable until something happens in our lives to make us realize that we aren't. I hope and pray that everything turns out good for you. Shelley

I appreciate the feedback from all of you. It makes things a bit easier when I can talk to somebody about it.

I have decided to go to Student Health services first and hopefully they can point me in the right direction if need be. I will keep you updated and any other comments or suggestions are welcome in the meantime. Thanks!

Adam