Fao Emmie

[naomi24]

Thanks for your message on the Wasps thread. Why are you not being sent for a scan on that lump?

[Sqad]

Just a guess............probably because there wasn't a lump present.

[emmie]

maybe, maybe not, because i told her that i felt it, and she asked me whether had sore throat, yes i said, for ages, and indeed have had acid reflux for years, have been given omprezole again, even though it doesn't agree with me, told to take it for one month, and no improvement to go back. doctors make me feel useless and stupid.. which funnily enough i am not.

[emmie]

the only way to know for sure is an endoscopy... i do know the routine.

[naomi24]

I don't want to interfere, em, but if you think there's a lump there, you really ought to insist on an investigation. Don't let doctors make you feel inferior. They're nothing special. They're just people doing a job to pay their mortgage – the same as everyone else. This is your body - and you know how you feel. Actually, treating people like this makes me angry. x

Sqad, where health is concerned, if investigation is available, no one should be guessing. That's a dangerous game to play.

[Sqad]

naomi.......you have missed the point. It is very common for patients to say they have a lump in the throat and examination fails to confirm this.
One cannot scan something that isn't there.

The commonest cause by far for this symptom is globus hystericus (globus pharyngeus).........Google it.

\\\\\Don't let doctors make you feel inferior. They're nothing special. They're just people doing a job to pay their mortgage – the same as everyone else.\\\\

Not a healthy attitude to take into the Drs surgery.

[ummmm]

What? It's not healthy to look at your GP as an equal? Or do you expect patients to feel inferior?

[naomi24]

Sqad, I have not missed the point. If ‘lumps’ were that easily discernible investigations to ascertain whether they are there or not wouldn’t be necessary at all.

As for my attitude in the doctor’s surgery, why would I treat a doctor differently to anyone else? Actually, I number one or two doctors number among my friends – and I hate to disillusion you, but they really are human. ;o)

[naomi24]

*too many numbers there ^^ - but who's counting. ;o)

[Sqad]

naomi

\\\\If ‘lumps’ were that easily discernible investigations to ascertain whether they are there or not wouldn’t be necessary at all. \\\\

Lecture much appreciated, but on a palpable lump a scan is performed not to ascertain it's presence (you already know that) but to identify where it is, what it consists of and if it is attached to any major structure.

I don't necessarily want my professional (doctor, barrister, accountant) to be "human" necessarily.......I want him to be good at his/her job.....human or otherwise.

[naomi24]

Sqad, 'palpable' being the operative word. If a lump is not 'palpable', but symptoms exist that could have arisen as a result of a 'lump', then investigation is necessary.

I too want my doctor to be good at his job. Unfortunately em's does not appear to fulfil that requirement.

[Eve]

If Emmie has reflux then the lump feeling could be attributed to come kind of indigestion/reflux related issue. I know I feel like I have a lump in my throat a lot with it and can even get really breathless. I have omeprazole, Gaviscon and try to watch my diet for triggers etc...

Maybe they look for something supportive for anything more worrying like blood results, thyroid result, feelable or visible lump?

[Eve]

Ah, serves me right for texting mid post.

A friend of mine has a lump round that area which is very palpable (I've felt it), attached to a bone and is being treated very seriously.

[Sqad]

naomi

\\\\If a lump is not 'palpable', but symptoms exist that could have arisen as a result of a 'lump', then investigation is necessary.\\\\

Agreed, but this does not apply to the neck and yes investigation is needed ( which I think that she has had).............but that would not include a scan necessarily.

[naomi24]

Sqad, But it's not something she is feeling ON her neck.

[Sqad]

naomi....where did i say that it was "ON" her neck?

This is getting ridiculous now..............work it out between you and emmie...

[naomi24]

Sqad, you didn't say on the neck - but you are talking about her neck - and the problem is not with her neck per se. Anyway, thanks for the chat.

[stewey]

I usually don't get involved in health topics; however, I thought that I'd add something here. About five years ago I went to my GP for an annual checkup, he said that he didn't like the "feel" of a lump on my neck ( i had thought that it was just a "double chin", part of getting older:)). Anyway, it turned out to be a cancerous, squamous I believe, thyroglossal remnant. Got sent to Princess Margaret Hospital and had it and a few lymph nodes removed. Everything turned out great: no chem or radiation needed. Fantastic GP, ENT guy, and the Head and Neck guy who did the op..

[emmie]

sorry didn't get before, doctors i am afraid make me feel like a dolt, they sit there on the computer, rarely look at you, or do much by way of examination, i asked about a goiter before because of various reasons, not going to go into details, and wasn't asked about it, and i just left with more pills. For no reason i can explain they do make me feel inadequate, it's hard enough to get appointments as it is, except if there is an emergency, and who is to say what that is. If it was a true emergency, heart trouble, possible stroke, wouldn't you call 999. perhaps its the fact i have had almost 5 months of tortuous back, neck problems that has cause the anxiety, pain, who knows.
and sqad, i am aware of what you suggest.

[emmie]

and i did say base of the throat, it's still there... i know what a lump on the side of the neck looks like, as a friend had one, who subsequently died of cancer, not long after diagnosis

[Brenden]

Emmie, Iam with Naomi on this one (through personal reasons) insist on a scan it will at least put your mind at ease.