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Avatar universal

Lump under Chin / Throat

Hello, I am very concerned at the moment and really wanted to say all this out and talk to somebody about what I'm going through..

I am 22 years old. Generally healthy, eat a bit of junk here and there. Not overweight, never smoked or drank in my life.. Generally never had many medical problems.. (besides my bad gums at the moment)..

I went dentist today and was told my gums are quite inflamed.. and that I have tartar build up under my gums (pockets).. this is getting treated soon..

Basically I discovered strange shaped lump under my chin/jaw.. I believe it's in the submandibular region. It's above my adam's apple, under my chin slightly to the left (my left)..

When I feel it, it feels like it starts out very thin, and then starts to expand outwards.. the widest section of the lump is no larger than my thumb..and the general length in total is less than my thumb..

It feels quite hard, doesn't move that freely. And is not on the other side..

I noticed it one week ago and it has not subsided at all.. I keep checking to see if it's gone down but to no avail. I'm so afraid. It doesn't hurt what so ever.. I done the idiotic thing of googling it, and all I see is cancer.

I am visiting my family doctor today. I have a feeling he's going to throw some anti-biotics at me and tell me to see if it goes down.. but I don't want this, I want it properly checked out! :( I will ask him for a proper referal to a ENT for scans etc..

I hate the fact that I have to wait so long to get an answer now.. It all makes me stressful and more anxious (I suffer from GAD).. The fact that it might take a full month or even 2 months to even get to the bottom of the problem.. I have fears that if it is cancer what if it spreads rapidly.. I want treatment asap. I keep thinking the worst and not being optimistic.. but I don't seem to be able to find any other reason as to why my lump is there in the first place?

Anybody have any insight? Any advice and guidance on how to handle this stressful situation, as well as any insight on what else it could be besides cancer... I'm praying a lot like I always do, and things have been really tough for the last few weeks.

My birthday was on the 29th of April, I was looking for a new job.. I got a stye for the first time in my life on my birthday and it was horrible and painful.. that subsided and I have a really bad night of the lump in throat feeling..(related to anxiety).. and also tightening of my neck muscles.. I also then had sharp pains in my groin and above my inguinal area.. which led me to believe I had a hernia of some sort.. but once the doctor told me it was my anxiety, that all subsided and went away :) ... and then I got another stye due to more stress.. and now I discovered my lump.. I'v had several weeks of very bad anxiety attacks and periods of deep panic and restlessnes. Thank god this seems to of calmed down in the last few days.. but the lump is making my anxiety really bad and im so stressed out..

thanks for reading this and I look forward to replies.

J

2 Responses
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Avatar universal
I wish I could tell you how to handle the stress of the situation in waiting for results, but my experience is limited in having potential cancer in an area where there may be complications once I decide to conceive, with which I had surgery done to remove those cells.

My best advice is to try to find the peace within yourself to wait for the results patiently. Stressing out over it now is not going to help determine what will be, so for now, try to "enjoy" the bliss of not knowing. Even if it turns out for the worst, stressing out over it is not going to help.

You say you pray, so that indicates you have faith in a higher power. I would also suggest you try to think of whatever happens as being meant to be and just do the best with the hand you are given.

I'll pray for you as well, stranger, and I hope this has helped at least somewhat.

P.S. The Serenity Prayer gives me comfort in times of hardship-- perhaps it can for you as  well.
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Avatar universal
Just came back from the Doctor.. he had a look and said he wants a blood test, and an X-Ray done of the area.. I'm so scared. I called into work crying saying I have to go hospital to get checks done. I'm so afraid.

Could there be any other causes of a painless lump in the Submandibular region? Does it always end up being a tumor of some kind? There are so little answers.. so little research can be done.. nobody has the answers, and all I can see online is that a painless lump is a tumor... I'm only 22 years old and am healthy, how can this happen? I'm losing my mind.
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