I have never in my life been so worried like I am now.

I have been getting in aches on the right side of my face for about 4 weeks, I thought it was my teeth so I went the dentist last week, dentist said my teeth are okay but she noticed a white patch in my mouth and has referred me to the dental hospital. I stupidly googled what it means and it says mouth cancer. I called my doctor on Friday and she agreed to see me, She said it could be leukoplakia but can lead to cancer in the future, I have now lost my appetite because I am worried so much.

[Travelinglady]

((((Lavender.)))) You sound like me--borrowing trouble before it comes. I know when the word "cancer" comes up we worry. But let's wait to see what it is for sure first. Okay? Please keep us informed!

[*Laurie*]

Hi Lavender, I so feel for you with the worry and anxiety.

There are a number of reasons why white patches can occur inside of our mouths (I know this because several months ago I had one that turned out to be nothing more than irritation from a tooth...I had worried myself sick). MOST of the reasons are perfectly normal. Google can scare the beegeeburs out of us (as you know).

When is your dental appointment? I hope it's soon so you can have some peace of mind.

I agree. Don't go to cancer. I had a white patch on my mouth and it turned out to be something completely benign. At the time there was a website called "lump in the mouth" that had photos and things of various white things in the mouth that were nothing. As far as I know cancer doesn't cause pain so that might not be an indication of anything.

[htoun]

It could be something as simple as thrush. Which is like a yeast infection in your mouth really easy to deal with just an antibiotic. It's considered a baby problem but adults do get it too. Try not to worry till after you have seen your doctor.

Thanks. I am worrying myself sick but knowing that some of you guys have had the same is a relief. I don't know when my appointment is yet, the dentist said she would refer me so god knows when that will be. I am sorry that I ever looked it up on google now. I'm not eating properly because of the worry. I do hope that you guys are right.

[Raindropvampire]

I've gotten leukoplakia before from chewing my lip/cheek. Doc told me it's most often caused when the mucus membrane is irritated by something. In my case I just had to break myself from the habit of chewing the inside of my cheek and lip. Cleared up in about two weeks once I stopped. You don't happen to chew the inside of your mouth do you?

I will cross my fingers for you that your's is as simple and clears up quickly.

I do have a habit of chewing the inside of my cheek, sometimes I don't realise that I am doing it. I smoke too which doesn't help, It's the ache in the side of my face that is worrying, When I looked online it says that a white patch and pain in the jaw is a sign of cancer but tbh I really can't tell where the aches are coming from.

I have decided to call my dentist tomorrow to make sure she has done the referral. I hate waiting. It is really worrying having to wait. I want to know what it is.

[htoun]

We all hate to wait and it's really hard to not worry. I had to wait six weeks for biopsy results it turned out fine. The wait was hard I lived on chocolate for almost a week which of course made me sick. Which made me mad at myself. It was a ruff time but you will get through it.

Thanks. I called the dental hospital this morning and they said the appointment can take about 2 weeks. It's torture having to wait. I am trying not to worry but I can't help it.

[healingme4me]

((((Lavender))))

So sorry that you have to wait as long to be seen by a specialist.

It really does give a person pause when the idea of cancer shows up on the doorstep.

Been through it twice, myself-worrying, that is. The first scare is noted here at pc in a thread from years ago, almost 4 years ago, to be precise.

The second time was in January after a mammogram call back. That one, was one in which I thought, "I don't have time for this." Then, I scanned lists of other "symptoms" that coincide with such an illness. Which I wasn't experiencing. Turned out scar tissue from a prior surgery that wasn't stretched enough for the image.

So I guess what I'm saying is, it's good to stop and consider directives and what support roles loved ones will play. It's good to stop and reevaluate the value you feel of yourself. At the same time, sometimes over worrying is just that. But it's good to now know what to watch for with your health.

Keep us posted and fingers crossed.

Thanks healing. I am sorry that you have been scared by it too. It is torture the waiting.

People are telling me to stop worrying but I can't help it. I was speaking to a friend on facebook last night and she went through something similar last year and it turned out to be harmless which made me feel a little better.

[healingme4me]

It's hard not to worry. And harder sometimes to not have ache, pain, etc not become suspect to add to it. I guess what helped me was to find appreciation in nature. Whether watching clouds or listening to birds, those little things.

True... I have given up smoking in case my mouth has something to do with it.

(((((Lavender)))))
Hopefully it's nothing. I understand the freak out of thinking something could be wrong and thinking the worst. I hope the time goes by fast for you. Maybe you can distract / preoccupy yourself with something else. I know its hard. I've had scares like that before too.

Thanks starrysky. I have been distracting myself tonight by going on youtube and browsing the forum. I even had my hair done yesterday to take my mind off it. I am going to call my dentist tomorrow to see what she thought this patch in my mouth is and does she think if it is cancer, Hopefully I will get an answer.

Still Haven't had an appointment. Waiting is a pain

[Ms.Lizette]

Hi,

I am sorry you have to go through health anxiety, it is really a torture. I have lots of health anxiety and my teeth and mouth health have been an issue the latest years.

I just want to say, all the time you spend on worrying before you know what it is, is really just going to hurt you. Period.

I know so well it is extremely hard, our brains are wired to find a solution to our problems, and when we think we know we have a problem, we want to start fixing it.

The only thing you know now is that you have to wait for further evaluation. It will most probably be nothing serious, most symptoms are not serious, that is why many diseases are fairly uncommon. That is, the likelihood of getting them is very small.

My advice is to stay away from googling anything about this potential issue. The biggest effort from your side has to be to block any attempts to know find out more about it. If they find out that somethings is wrong, then start searching, start looking for solutions, but not now. It will just torture you.

Please let us know how it goes.

Hugs

Thanks and yeah it was a very bad mistake Googling.

Just called the hospital and they said the appointment can take up to 18 weeks what the hell am I suppose to do? but they did say it was just routine so is this good or bad news? My face actually feels a lot better, still hurts a bit but not as bad as it was.

[*Laurie*]

This is good news, Lavender. If they thought you had something serious going on, they would get you in sooner.

I finally got the appointment and it's on 17th August, such a long time to wait.

[Raindropvampire]

I'm so sorry you have to wait so long.

[TerryL]

how is your diet? i read that too much acidity in one's diet can cause problems. and congrats on stopping smoking!

Well at the moment I am on a diet, I have lost 10lb so I am eating healthier even though it's the same thing that I eat.