Thank you for your post Mrsmorton.
The procedure was absolutely fine - no problem at all. It's still difficult to eat much today and I can't speak properly. At the appointmt with the consultant she said it would feel like I'd bitten my tongue for the rest of the day so to take paracetamol and I might need a stitch. So that wasn't an accurate description.
I'm afraid I'm probably a difficult patient - polite and uncomplaining - but I ask questions and I like to know what's involved in any treatment.
I think this has stemmed from my own and mu mum's treatment for cancer - I now strongly feel that I would like fo get advice from medics and then to decide for myself. Eg during my second round of chemo I was admitted as an emergency with abdominal adhesions/partial blockage. I had the stomach pump thingie - which didn't work so they took it out and put one in again. They had stopped my anti-sickie meds when I got there and I was on morphine + chemo so that alone would cause sickness surely? When the chemo (hickman line) finished they continued to take bloods the normal way as no-one seemed to know how to use a hickman line, and then they wouldn't let me go home as my white blood cell count was too low. Apparently it was safer to be in a receiving ward with patients suffering from gastro-enteritis and chest infections and a nurse who wiped her runny nose with her hand than to go home. I have multiple food sensitivities so it's really difficult to eat much in hospital, especially when the inevitable oral mucositis started. They went on and on at me to take antibiotics - great for the problem gut (I had bowel cancer and was very thin at this point).
I would have liked to decide for myself to take the 'risk' of going home - all of three miles from A+E - had it not been for the unexpected admission, the medics wouldn't have known what the blood counts were and everyone would have been happy. I was too frightened to discharge myself as I thought I would seem like a troublemaker. I felt that the consultant was doing things by the book to 'cover his back' IYSWIM. Although, he hadn't asked for advice from the oncology team. The oncology consultant was surprised to hear from me that I'd been admitted.
What with things like that - which I know are all first world problems - I like to do my own research as well as ask for help from the NHS. According to my (amateur) understanding I present as a typical Lichen Planus sufferer - 46, female, menopausal and it started shortly after having a filling. I've only ever had one filling before. The problem areas are beside the two fillings. I have no risk factors for oral cancers - drink rarely, don't smoke or chew betel nut! Reasonably healthy diet.
I know it's ridiculous, but I am very cross at being refused the option of having two fillings replaced without having a biopsy first.
Goodness what a rant - I'm extremely grateful for the NHS, but the attitude of some consultants is really annoying. It's my body not theirs.