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Large mouth ulcer not healing

8 replies

plywood · 20/12/2016 15:26

It's near the back of my throat (soft palette?), oval shaped, white, surrounded by large red inflamed area. It doesn't hurt as much as it did initially but I feel a bit tired and unwell with a slightly swollen gland.
It's been there just over two weeks with no improvement. I've made the mistake of googling and am now worried. I've tried various washes and pastes with no improvement.

Any advice reassurance would be very welcome.

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Madbengalmum · 20/12/2016 15:27

Mmm, sorry i cant help more, but i would get that checked out. Can be a sign of oral cancer, can you see your dentist/doctor before christmas?

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JustSpeakSense · 20/12/2016 15:33

I suggest you gargle frequently (a few times a day) with warm salt water, and make an appointment to see the GP. I wouldn't worry too much about it, there are some stubborn viruses about at the moment.

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gingeroots · 21/12/2016 11:57

I agree with bengalmum .Best to have it checked .

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plywood · 21/12/2016 12:13

Yes, I know I need to have it checked as an ulcer not healing is a sign of mouth cancer (hence the worry), but I can't get an appointment until after Christmas and I don't think it is classed as urgent.

Thank you justspeak. I have been rinsing with salt water. I'm also using Corsodyl. No change still. Oh well.

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TroubleinDaFamily · 21/12/2016 12:16

Call your surgery NOW and demand an appointment NOW. There are 2.5working days until Christmas.

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plywood · 21/12/2016 12:30

They asked if it was urgent, I said no. Nhs and chemist advice was to give ulcers three weeks, especially the larger kind (approx 10mm) before seeing the GP.

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YouMeanYouForgotCranberriesToo · 21/12/2016 12:41

Yes, it would need to be there for more than 3 weeks and then if it was still there you would meet the criteria for a 2 week wait referral to be investigated for cancer. To reassure you though, a lot of people who are referred in for a non healing ulcer do not have cancer and are told at their first appointment they do not or that the chances of it are minimal. You may just need a quick biopsy that will confirm it's nothing to worry about. Or, it may clear up before the three weeks anyway!

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plywood · 21/12/2016 13:18

I hope so, thank you. I don't smoke or drink at all and am under the most at risk age but it's still a possibility and a worry. I do get a very occasional ulcer, though never in this location, so have been less aware of them (this one hurts when swallowing food because of the location), and they disappear after a week or so