Question for people who do not suffer with health anxiety

I think I'd get an oral surgeon to assess it at the very least, if its not going away.

A

Knowing me, probably A, but I’d ultimately get it looked by a doctor if it stuck around.

I have a laissez faire attitude to my health,so A. Especially after two experts have told me not to worry.

I'm covered in all sorts of lumps and bumps that don't worry me.

You'll be grand!

As long as it wasn’t painful, I would do A, but I would also listen to my gut and be mindful of any changes. If still there 6 months later but no change at next dental appointment, I’d ask them to check again.

I say this as someone with cancer (actually one of the lymph nodes removed was in my salivary system). My cancer, which I assume is what you are concerned about, was painful, it grew in size, caused an obvious crunching and popping sound and also caused the lymph nodes around it to be sore. It wasn’t just a little lump. It was quite painful and changed quite quickly. It was obvious something was not right.

I would keep an eye on things. Do push to have someone look at it if it changes, but also give it time to get better. Fwiw, salivary gland cancer is much more commonly in the glands that run in front of the ears down around the front of the jaw, not in the mouth itself. I know that doesn’t help though when health anxiety is telling you it’s definitely something bad though.

A.

I have a hard pimple on the back of my leg where an inseect bite once was and it's been there 20 years and I've never worried about it. I also have a fleshy blob on my buttock which the GP said was a lypoma and not to worry about it, I am doing that and have been for 15 years.

Bodies are funny things and lumps, bumps and discolorations do occur. Best to know what to look out for and get things checked but then you need to believe what you are told.

What you’re doing here is what nobody with HA should do - and that’s seek reassurance. Hard though I know it is not to

you’ve been told by experts that it’s nothing to be concerned over. That’s it. The end. And that’s what you have to repeat to yourself as you look into further help for your health anxiety

Maybe I have a little bit of health anxiety but I would go to GP with a hope of referral. I had a blister like lump on my lip that kept coming back and was referred to the maxilofacial at the hospital. They diagnosed it as a completely benign blocked gland but recommended removing nevertheless. And they actually removed a bit of tissue around it, so played it safe.

I don't see it as matter of health anxiety but not wanting to take any chances with my health, as a mother, and trusting my instincts. Especially considering the state of the NHS.....

I do have mild health anxiety, but rationally I'd go with A. Two different medical practitioners is more than enough! I'd probably ask them how long it was likely to last and if there's anything I ought to watch out for, and follow that advice.

However, as you probably know, health anxiety is not rational, so if my anxiety was flaring due to other major stressors in my life, I'd find it harder to do the above without obsessing.

But it seems to be something that may never go away so why would you go back if it behaved as expected

A, but I'd want to know what to expect and what I should look out for.

I definitely don’t suffer from health anxiety but I would want a referral if it was still there after a month.

A mix of A and B - I’d have asked the dentist how long it could be expected to last (I assume blocked salivary glands go away?), and if there were any signs I needed to look out for that indicated it becoming more of a problem. Then I wouldn’t be worried about it, but would monitor it based on what they’d told me.

A

Things in your mouth often feel bigger than they really are, I'd only do something further if it became painful or bigger, otherwise wait until your next dental check up.

You might find it helps to encourage saliva production, maybe chewing gum?

Did the dentisit say it would go away? If it didn't, within the timescale they suggested, I'd see GP.

If they didn't say it would go away, I'd go with A.

Why? Dentists are the specialists in oral health. They are the correct people to see for this. Not GPs.

A with a side of B - ie watch if it changes much or gets painful then I’d go back but in the first instance it’s clearly ok

A.

If two different experts have told you what it is, I would assume they knew more about it than me, what with them seeing blocked salivary glands and other oral health conditions every day of their lives, and considering that they know who is/isn’t more at risk of oral cancers etc. If it was something to be worried about, they’d have told you.

I would get the GP to look at it

A.

Then I'd increase the amount of water I was drinking, pay close attention to dental hygiene, gargle regularly with warm water, and give it three months.

A. for sure. The vast majority of minor health issues resolve themselves with no need for treatment of any kind.

B, because really it wouldn't be possible not to, now that you know it's there, but really, how many health professionals would have to tell you the same thing before you believe it? They can't find something wrong where there is nothing. Dentists are very hot on oral health. It's one of the reasons that people should have regular checkups and why it's appalling that our dental service has been allowed to deteriorated in the way it has. It's not just there to give us a nice smile.

A.

But next time, ask the HCP for clear parameters as to when you should seek help for it again. Depending on what it is they might say,
If it changes shape significantly
If it bleeds
If it grows significantly
If it hasn't disappeared within two months
... or whatever. Then you will know exactly when you SHOULD revisit it. Would that help you put the worry to the back of your mind in the meantime?

A.

I'd also have asked for a reasonable time frame to expect this to resolve in, and when to return if no improvement.

What would be your reasoning for wanting to see oral surgery?