Throat irritation

[Missy4]

I'm hoping you can help me.  I have had a sore throat since last July on the right hand side, near (just before) my tonsil.  I have never been on antibiotics.  I had a neck x-ray (normal, this is because i have neck pain in the back of my neck on the right hand side), I have had a thyroid ultrasound (2small cysts, they weren't concerned at all), a neck CT (normal, according to the ENT, that was done in mid november, 2 scopes (fibreoptic, through the nose to the larynx) the ENT said it looked fine, just irritated.  I am going back to the ENT on Tuesday because my throat is still sore in the same spot.  When I look in my throat it appears that some tissue just before my right tonsil, is inflamed.  Not red, but kind of whitish grey.  I am really scared that this is throat cancer of some sort.  Would they have seen it with the CT scan, the scopes, i had the pain when I saw the ENT.  It is a tiny bit worse right now but has changed off and on.  It is here everyday though.  I have no problem swallowing, in fact I have gained almost 20 pounds in the last 4 months due to antidepressant, anxiety med I have been on.  I do feel like something is in my throat all the time though.  Like I said I had that feeling when the ENT looked in there the last time.  That was in early December.  He used the mirrors.  He agrees there is inflamation (inflammation), but nothing that concerns him.  I do sneeze alot in the morning, during the day and always seem to have a bit of a cold.  The sore neck is really worrying too.  I'm 33, mother of 4, down to about 5 cigs a day instead of 1/2 pack.  Any ideas?  Thank you,

[National Jewish]

If throat cancer were present, then something should have been found on the CT scan or the laryngoscopy done by the ENT.  Please check with your doctor about other possible causes of your ongoing sore throat.  You may want to get another opinion from a different ENT to give you peace of mind.

Postnasal drip is drainage from the nose and sinuses drippings down the back of the throat.  Throat irritation and inflammation from postnasal drip could certainly cause a sore throat since July 2002.  A nasal wash helps remove mucus and bacteria from the nose and sinuses.  This can temporarily reduce the postnasal drip and lessen the sore throat.  A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases nasal swelling and mucus production.  This may prevent the postnasal drip and sore throat.  To get the most out of a nasal steroid spray use it after doing a nasal wash.  A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms.  It may require several weeks of routine use to become effective.  Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique.  Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.

It’s great that you are cutting back the amount that you are smoking.  To help you to quit smoking, you may want to look at our Just Quit Online program at http://www.nationaljewish.org.  Also check with your doctor for other quit smoking resources in your area.

[Missy4]

anyone have a comment