Hello All,

I hope somebody can help, I'm not really scared I am petrified. On tuesday this week 3/2/04 a Doctor told me to go home and stop being so frightened. He perscribed Amoxcillin 500mg and said to take 3 per day and go back this Monday 9/2/04. If the infection is still present he will refer me to ENT. It all started for me about a week ago, I had no pain but real bad irritation when swallowing, as though hairs were constantly stuck in my throat. I eventually used a torch, mirror and with the aid of a spoon, inspected the back of my throat. I was horrified, at the sight of what I thought where really raised lesions on the base of my tongue. As above, I visited the Doctor, he says my tongue is normal, my fears groundless. I cried with relief as did my wife. We have also since cried with fear. I have no pain but my throat is just clicking now when I try to swallow. The antibiotics have just given me a bad taste. And I can feel something in my throat now quite firmly snagging when I try to swallow. About seven years ago I had a lump investigated in the top of my mouth by an ENT surgeon. He said it had not increased in size to sugest anything agressive, but to keep an eye on it. It is within the palet just below my left eye. My left cheekbone feels slightly tender as does the site within my mouth, and I fear this lump may be the cause. I made an appointment to go back in the morning, I am worried any longer and it can only spread further. Am I being silly, can anyone share my symptoms. I am aware of the potential problems where this lump is sited, and am really sick with worry.

Hi Dave

The lumps seen at the back of the tongue are often part of the normal scenery. So your doctor was probably right about telling you not to worry about them. The antibiotics are for a suspected throat infection. Anyone who has had the flu will have experienced a sore throat and sensed a lump in the throat that hurt on swallowing. Try gargling with warm salt water to make it feel better.

With regard to the lump in the palate, I would suggest you get it seen to again since it is 7 years since you had it checked out. If it has been there for that period of time, it is most probably nothing to worry about. You may find in this article called Examination Technique with Normal Findings and Structures Mistaken for Disease has some pictures of normal appearances of the palate.

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee: