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AIBU?

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Original poster

To freak out at this from the doctor

89 replies

KitKatrunchie · 20/10/2023 19:10

Iv had a cough for years
im
Overweight

they said it was reflux
recently felt a lump in my throat and one time felt I needed to drink water to get food down (on one occasion) most food give me reflux but it’s the wrong food I don’t get it when o eat right

I told the doctor and he sent me this! I’m freaking out as I didn’t think it was cancer

recently iv had a series of horrible life events and iv started to think I’ll die soon and suddenly and leave my daughter

To freak out at this from the doctor
OP posts:
Tumbler2121 · 20/10/2023 19:15

Looks scarey but just take one step at a time. Cancer isn't the big C that it used to be. Looks like you're on the 2 week wait pathway, so you'll get an idea of what is happening very soon.

FWIW I had cancer last year, lots of "sure it's nothing but we're doing more tests". Did have Chemo and radiotherapy, basically just not as bad as I would have expected. Just keep going to the appointments and following instructions!

All the best, I hope it is just them being careful, it usually is.

StopLickingTheDog · 20/10/2023 19:16

I'd try not to worry too much, they must assume the worst and work backwards. Looks like thats a coding for investigations under the two week wait pathway (rather than having to wait months and months). More that it's a differential diagnosis (ie a possibility) rather than they think that's what it actually is.

I hope the tests get you the reassurance you need

LouLou198 · 20/10/2023 19:18

Easier said than done, but try not to. Sounds like he has listened to you, being very thorough and is ruling out every possibility. Hope everything is okay for you.

Gro · 20/10/2023 19:19

I know it is scary. DH is currently on a 2ww for an endoscopy and colonoscopy.

AhBiscuits · 20/10/2023 19:20

It's great that they are taking it seriously and getting you thoroughly assessed. Try and stay calm and not think the worst.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 20/10/2023 19:24

They've got to rule stuff out. It could turn out to be something else. My dad had an oesophogeal pouch which some foods got stuck in. He had v similar symptoms to yours. He would have a coughing fit sometimes while he was eating and he would eventually cough up what was in the pouch eg bits of rice were the worst thing.

LIZS · 20/10/2023 19:31

It is normal to try to eliminate the worst case scenario. Chances are it is "just" reflux or a gastro issue and the tests are the same.

Original poster
KitKatrunchie · 20/10/2023 19:32

ThAnk you everyone I really hope so. This is my worst fear and iv had a terrible year with death of loved ones etc

OP posts:
Goodornot · 20/10/2023 19:34

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MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 20/10/2023 19:34

Sounds exactly like reflux but they have to rule out everything.

user12345678912334 · 20/10/2023 19:40

I experienced the same very recently. Even had a similar text!
I've also had some very distressing life events happen recently too.
Was fast tracked, had an endoscopy and biopsies, no cancer.
I have a hiatus hernia and inflammation.
Stress is a major factor for me.

Thehonestybox · 20/10/2023 19:41

Hi op, mDH had these exact symptoms 3 years ago, along with a voice change too. had all the tests, and they didn't find the reason in the end, and it gradually got better naturally over two years.

Only thing I'd do differently is go private for the test because the waiting time for appointments was unbearable and that was 3 years ago.

ColleenDonaghy · 20/10/2023 19:43

They just need to test to rule it out, that's all. Fingers crossed it's something more easily sorted.

Elephantscantjump · 20/10/2023 19:49

Your symptoms really do sound like reflux, the sticking in the throat sensation is really common, but it's a really positive thing your GP is taking it seriously and referring you on just in case. Hope it all gets sorted really quickly for you

Original poster
KitKatrunchie · 20/10/2023 19:54

A few weeks ago I kept waking up as my throat was so so dry as well

OP posts:
Snapplepie · 20/10/2023 20:03

Less than 5% of people who get sent through the 2 week wait pathway for suspected cancer actually end up having it. Even though they have requested the investigations it's only a very small minority of tests that come back with something.

PinkPanther50 · 20/10/2023 20:08

First of all - don’t Google anything!
A few years ago I used to have terrible reflux/heartburn and trouble swallowing food, it got stuck all the time. I was sent for a camera down the throat (can’t remember what it’s called!). It turned out that my reflux had scarred the bottom of my oesophegus and it was half the size it should be! By ramming the camera through it stretched it and now I take omeprezole and it is loads better now. I know anxiety can make you struggle to swallow also. Your doctor has done the right thing by getting you seen as quickly as possible.

Vinrouge4 · 20/10/2023 20:09

My doctor said they take the worse case scenario and then work backwards. So don't panic. Being on the cancer 2 week pathway is just the quickest way of being seen. Doctors realise that it can take months to be seen by a specialist so they use this system more and more. A friend who worked for the WHO said the biggest red flag for cancer is extreme weight loss. I take comfort from this when I am trying to diet!

Longma · 20/10/2023 20:18

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

ChocolateBiscuitsandaCuppa · 20/10/2023 20:20

Am a gastro doc and do a lot of these 2-week wait endoscopies. There are specific symptoms that have a TINY chance of being cancer, and the GP HAS to refer you on this pathway. The referrals cannot be accepted unless they warn you that it could be cancer. As someone has said upthread, it's a small percentage when it is (think most recent percentage was 3%, give or take).

You mention that you're overweight. If you're at the stage of getting the symptoms you describe without losing a lot of weight, it's very unlikely to be cancer, especially as having to drink water to get the food down was a one-off.

I know it's easy to say, but please stay calm.

Are you on anti-acid medications (omeprazole, lansoprazole etc.)?

alrighthen · 20/10/2023 20:23

Sending calm good wishes your way. It could be absolutely anything so certainly no reason to panic. And even if you were in that 5%, there’s every likelihood it would be very treatable. Take deep breaths, do meditation videos on yourube, think calm thoughts and be really nice to yourself :)

whenwhathow · 20/10/2023 20:24

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Original poster
KitKatrunchie · 20/10/2023 20:30

Vinrouge4 · 20/10/2023 20:09

My doctor said they take the worse case scenario and then work backwards. So don't panic. Being on the cancer 2 week pathway is just the quickest way of being seen. Doctors realise that it can take months to be seen by a specialist so they use this system more and more. A friend who worked for the WHO said the biggest red flag for cancer is extreme weight loss. I take comfort from this when I am trying to diet!

Well I def don’t have that side effect that’s for sure

OP posts:
dontgobaconmyheart · 20/10/2023 20:40

As other's have said, they want to rule it out and that isn't the same as suspecting it. The wording on the letter will just be the wording on the system they use to access the 2 week pathway, ruling out the most serious possible outcome from the reported symptoms. It really isn't the same as the doctor telling anyone they think you have cancer or that the doctor even suspects you do - simply that you have reported symptoms that trigger a referral for that pathway to access faster treatment on the very rare occasion it might be.

I have a hiatal hernia and GERD and have similar symptoms. Has the GP offered any medication to reduce these symptoms if they suspect acid reflux? there are plenty available.

TravellingT · 20/10/2023 20:42

It's worth noting that although they are checking to rule out cancer, the tests will likely be tests they'd do even if they didn't think it was cancer. Could be some scans or a camera in your throat. Think of it as them saying "We need to do these tests, you could be waiting months so let's put you on the 2 week wait pathway so we sort it ASAP whether it's cancer or not"