Ever had to get a second opinion?

[thisbetheverse]

Hey all. About 5 months ago I was put on the 2 week cancer referral for an enlarged neck (I posted about it on here and had loads of support).

i was referred to ENT, had blood tests and a scan - all came back fine but no explanation on the swelling. just said it was ‘how my neck was’ even though it had only been that way for 6 months not forever.

fast forward to this week I’ve had an appointment (contraceptive) and the dr mentioned during the appointment that they thought my neck was swollen and needed to be looked at. I explained I’d already had it checked and she asked various questions, including if I’d had a biopsy, I said no.

since then I have been obviously thinking about it because

1. it’s tender now, it wasn’t before
2. it feels/looks like it’s grown
3. it feels like it’s pushing again my throat slightly
4. I’ve noticed I often have a sore throat and even struggle sometimes with hot drinks as it feels like I have a sore in my throat (not permanent only sometimes). Obvs it’s flu season so assumed it was just this.

has anyone ever had a second opinion, and has it been worthwhile? Am I silly to even get one if bloods and scan came back clear?

I was thinking I could go private and use savings so I didn’t have to embarrass myself going back through the nhs. But a starting appointment alone is £250.

Def get 2nd opinion

You could pay first appt privately
And transfer results / letter to nhs

I.did that 4 private rheumatologist
Rather than wait 6 months

Was v worth it

Thanks @worldwidetravel2017

ah I didn’t realise you could do that, I thought If you went private the whole process had to be, thank you!

If you don’t mind me asking - did the original dr just misdiagnose you?

No - i went private 4 that as just couldnt wait 6 months

Ive had on going health issues since jan 2021

3 significant illnesses
Also polyps out my bowel

Honestly - if i wrote out this year - it would sound made up

Currently awaiting ct scan results.

I have though advocated & asked 4 tests due to some symptoms and found some of my own issues that they over looked

NHS is v v v stretched

They only tested feretin / iron as wanted 2 push me to long covid clinic and that place wouldnt accept referal without it - then they found my feretin was just 8

Ive been on urgent cancer maybe cancer waits n all sorts

Gps know a little about a lot
Not a lot about a lot

If a medic say its swollen / if a medic is concerned - def get another opinion
Def follow your gut

I had biopsies this year

I had hip issues that triggered an xray from my gp.
Xray was fine, apparently. Once they found the thing - first they lost it!

I had to push for another referral when nothing got better. Was sent for physio.

Then when they wanted to discharge me, with no improvement, they then referred me to the hosp.

They saw me at some random clinic and said I needed....physio. Sent me to a chartered physio.

He was baffled when more exercises made no difference. Finally referred me to the orthopaedic dept.

Surgeon looked at my xray and said, "There's your problem on the xray.....WHY am I looking at a 3 year old xray?"

He sorted steroid injections as part of the diagnosis, then I had an op to fix the problem as the hip socket and leg bone weren't the right shape and had been locking up when I tried moving. If I'd realised it could have cut out 3 years of being fobbed off I might have decided to go private instead.

You can ask for a second opinion within the NHS or privately. First have you told original doctor all the symptoms such as the tenderness. You can also ask the reason there has not been a biopsy.

And just by going private 4 a look / 4 an appt

Def doesn't mean its all private or only private

@worldwidetravel2017 sorry to hear you’ve had / are having such a rough time with your health. Sounds like private is a good shout if only to help speed things up.

I don’t know why I feel guilty getting a second opinion, feels like I’m being a hypochondriac I guess, but what you said about if a medic is concerned then it’s worth a second opinion has made me realise it’s worth doing (even if I end up looking a bit silly!)

Ah I didn’t know that - I thought I’d have to get a referral and go through the process again if I went via nhs again.

I will drop the ENT department an email (?) or give them a ring tomorrow to see what they say.

Always always push 4 your health

Health is wealth

@DrMadelineMaxwell oh gosh that’s so so frustrating for you, 3 years of bloody pain for nothing! Glad you finally got some answers in the end, I guess they’re not going to get it right every time so it’s worth getting a second opinion / more tests like you did.

For 18 months the GP told my mother she had IBS. Then she died of bladder cancer.

Get a second opinion and no need to be apologetic. I hope it’s ok x

I’m so sorry to hear about you loosing your mother after a misdiagnosis, grief is hard enough without that added ontop.

Thank you for sharing I will stop worrying about upsetting/offending anyone and just get it sorted x

Definitely worth chasing OP, especially if a separate medic has raised the issue themselves as something they think should be investigated.

I got a second opinion privately from an orthopaedic guy as my reportedly healed fractured foot was impossible to weight bear on and the NHS just kept telling me it was fine.

Saw the private guy and he gazed at the x-rays for some time and said: "You have a second fracture there which had needed surgery but it is too late now. I have walked with a stick now for 12 years because of this.

I was furious that the original medics would not listen to what I was saying - because of that my life was transformed. I went from being able-bodied to having a disability.

Definitely get a second opinion. I fell ill last year and was misdiagnosed for 2 months ( over that period my condition got worse). I kept going back to the GP and apologised each time but finally they did my blood tests and discovered that I had a rare auto immune condition for which I am still receiving treatment. I wish I had just gone private at the beginning!

Second opinion and mention that it is getting worse and affecting your eating/drinking now.