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Original poster

Really worried..please talk me down..

30 replies

Ihateboris · 05/02/2025 10:54

I've just been for a check up at the dentist, and my dentist said she's concerned about my throat and has referred me on a two week pathway! I didn't ask any questions as I was a bit shocked! What's a two week pathway? I've had a niggly cough and sore throat on and off for a few weeks, but not really serious enough to warrant a doctor appointment. I' lm absolutely sick with worry now x

OP posts:
Pr1mr0se · 05/02/2025 11:02

Just posting to be here to hold your hand. How awful to have that experience. Did they not explain anything at all to you?

olderbutwiser · 05/02/2025 11:14

Dentists are tasked with checking mouths and throats for anything that looks a bit unusual or that is unexplained. The vast majority of these referrals show nothing important, but it's better to have it checked quickly and find out it's nothing as soon as possible.

canyouletthedogoutplease · 05/02/2025 11:18

Ihateboris · 05/02/2025 10:54

I've just been for a check up at the dentist, and my dentist said she's concerned about my throat and has referred me on a two week pathway! I didn't ask any questions as I was a bit shocked! What's a two week pathway? I've had a niggly cough and sore throat on and off for a few weeks, but not really serious enough to warrant a doctor appointment. I' lm absolutely sick with worry now x

Call the surgery back and request that the dentist calls you back at some point today to clarify. Have a pen and paper ready to note down what they say, and any questions you have ready. Action overcomes fear.

Original poster
Ihateboris · 05/02/2025 12:37

Pr1mr0se · 05/02/2025 11:02

Just posting to be here to hold your hand. How awful to have that experience. Did they not explain anything at all to you?

She just said she was concerned about my throat, and then asked if I was a smoker (I'm not) or had any cancer in the family. I feel sick with worry 😟

OP posts:
Original poster
Ihateboris · 05/02/2025 12:39

olderbutwiser · 05/02/2025 11:14

Dentists are tasked with checking mouths and throats for anything that looks a bit unusual or that is unexplained. The vast majority of these referrals show nothing important, but it's better to have it checked quickly and find out it's nothing as soon as possible.

Thank you 😊

OP posts:
SpringBunnyHopHop · 05/02/2025 12:42

Ring the practice. I’m sure the receptionist will ask the dentist to call you back to explain.

Do you have any ulcers, sores or white patches?

Pr1mr0se · 05/02/2025 12:59

Ihateboris · 05/02/2025 12:37

She just said she was concerned about my throat, and then asked if I was a smoker (I'm not) or had any cancer in the family. I feel sick with worry 😟

Show quote history

That's really not a good way of discussing these things with a patient. Try not to worry, easier said than done I know. Hope you ring them to get some further detail and you get seen soon.

Original poster
Ihateboris · 05/02/2025 14:16

So I just called the dentist to ask why the referral had been made. She said "my throat is very red with spots of yellow ". I asked what this could be and she said she wasn't qualified to say! So I just have to wait for the referral appointment now? I assume two week pathway means I need to be seen within 2 weeks??

OP posts:
Lollygaggle · 05/02/2025 14:17

Pr1mr0se · 05/02/2025 12:59

That's really not a good way of discussing these things with a patient. Try not to worry, easier said than done I know. Hope you ring them to get some further detail and you get seen soon.

Show quote history

As part of the questions that have to be filled out on the referral form are ones that ask about smoking,drinking and family and personal medical history . Even has to be filled out if referring for wisdom teeth extractions .

Dentists are taught it is better to feel a bit foolish to refer someone and have it turn out to be nothing than to not refer. A cough/sore throat lasting a few weeks is something that would be referred no matter what they did or didn’t see.

The vast majority of 2 week referrals turn out to be nothing to be concerned about but it’s best to be on the cautious side.

Lollygaggle · 05/02/2025 14:20

Ihateboris · 05/02/2025 14:16

So I just called the dentist to ask why the referral had been made. She said "my throat is very red with spots of yellow ". I asked what this could be and she said she wasn't qualified to say! So I just have to wait for the referral appointment now? I assume two week pathway means I need to be seen within 2 weeks??

Unfortunately with the NHS in the state it is in , in many areas it may well be a bit longer than that.

The dentist has been taught to refer anything they are not sure of , better to be certain , although most referrals turn out to be nothing that needs further treatment.

SpringBunnyHopHop · 05/02/2025 14:21

Ihateboris · 05/02/2025 14:16

So I just called the dentist to ask why the referral had been made. She said "my throat is very red with spots of yellow ". I asked what this could be and she said she wasn't qualified to say! So I just have to wait for the referral appointment now? I assume two week pathway means I need to be seen within 2 weeks??

It could be strep throat or some kind of infection which would sound about right if you’ve been a bit unwell with a sore throat.

I would be calling my GP to see if they’ll check it for you in the meantime. I hope it’s just the dentist being overly cautious.

healthybychristmas · 05/02/2025 14:24

Thank goodness you saw the dentist. She was wrong to worry you like that but I'm glad she's voiced her concerns. She can't diagnose you with anything but it's great she took action.

Original poster
Ihateboris · 05/02/2025 14:37

healthybychristmas · 05/02/2025 14:24

Thank goodness you saw the dentist. She was wrong to worry you like that but I'm glad she's voiced her concerns. She can't diagnose you with anything but it's great she took action.

Yes, I completely agree.

OP posts:
Firenzeflower · 05/02/2025 14:39

Call your GP and get them to look.

LadeedahYadaYada · 05/02/2025 14:57

Speak to your GP today.

NameChanges123 · 05/02/2025 15:28

Ihateboris · 05/02/2025 14:16

So I just called the dentist to ask why the referral had been made. She said "my throat is very red with spots of yellow ". I asked what this could be and she said she wasn't qualified to say! So I just have to wait for the referral appointment now? I assume two week pathway means I need to be seen within 2 weeks??

I was recently put on the 2 week pathway as I had some issues with my voice.

I got an appointment pretty quickly at the hospital where I had a nasendoscopy (they put a tube up through your nose and down your throat). Quick and painless. They also had a screen so you can watch but I didn't want to. Got my results then and there that everything was alright.

summerlovingvibes · 05/02/2025 21:34

@Ihateboris out of interest do you take any inhalers at all?
Only asking as a common side effect of some certain inhalers can cause a sore throat / yellow spots / ulcers etc.

AcquadiP · 05/02/2025 21:53

Due to recent weight loss, low appetite and low energy, I was fast tracked for cancer screening by my Dr despite explaining to him I'd been under a great deal of recent stress. His exact words:
"Let me tell you, these are not good symptoms. I'm going to assume it's cancer until we've ruled it out."

Yes, he really was that tactless! I've had a blood test, a poo test, a CT scan, and a gastroenterology appointment, a full MOT. I'm lucky, it wasn't cancer and I'm a smoker, working on becoming an ex smoker. The tests did highlight an illness which I will be receiving treatment for. Please try not to worry, it's not going to change the outcome. and like me it might just highlight something you need treatment for.

Original poster
Ihateboris · 06/02/2025 05:46

summerlovingvibes · 05/02/2025 21:34

@Ihateboris out of interest do you take any inhalers at all?
Only asking as a common side effect of some certain inhalers can cause a sore throat / yellow spots / ulcers etc.

No I don't take any inhalers

OP posts:
Borntobeamum · 06/02/2025 12:24

AcquadiP · 05/02/2025 21:53

Due to recent weight loss, low appetite and low energy, I was fast tracked for cancer screening by my Dr despite explaining to him I'd been under a great deal of recent stress. His exact words:
"Let me tell you, these are not good symptoms. I'm going to assume it's cancer until we've ruled it out."

Yes, he really was that tactless! I've had a blood test, a poo test, a CT scan, and a gastroenterology appointment, a full MOT. I'm lucky, it wasn't cancer and I'm a smoker, working on becoming an ex smoker. The tests did highlight an illness which I will be receiving treatment for. Please try not to worry, it's not going to change the outcome. and like me it might just highlight something you need treatment for.

Can I ask what you have been diagnosed with with please. My husband has similar symptoms, an endoscopy and colonoscopy didn’t highlight anything but he’s also had an urgent ct scan and we are awaiting results x x x

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 06/02/2025 12:27

Ouch. What a shock for you. FWIW my dad had a similar alert from his dentist, and it was nothing to worry about, I can’t even remember what his doctor said. Good luck

UnderTheCover · 06/02/2025 12:30

"Red with yellow spots" sounds like classic tonsillitis. You may have nothing more serious that that OP. Try not to worry

Original poster
Ihateboris · 06/02/2025 12:35

UnderTheCover · 06/02/2025 12:30

"Red with yellow spots" sounds like classic tonsillitis. You may have nothing more serious that that OP. Try not to worry

Thank you 😊

OP posts:
CatStoleMyChocolate · 06/02/2025 12:39

It could also be reflux, potentially silent reflux - don’t know about the spots but my persistent sore throat turned out to be that. I had a similarly frightening referral as my GP thought she could feel a lump from the outside but the consultant said it was normal throat structures and the camera up nose/down throat showed it was reflux.

Iwontlethtesungodownonme · 06/02/2025 12:45

I have been on the two week pathway I think four times now. All been fine in the end but it does worry.