Anyone have a similar story?

Hi,

First let me give you the background.  When my mom was 36, she contracted a cold and became very hoarse.  She was treated for a cold, sinusitus, etc for about a year, then referred to an ENT because her voice never came back.  They found something on her larynx, she had it removed and her voice came back.  She was told it was a "pre-cancerous" condition, probably caused by reflux.  About a year later, the same thing happened.  She went to the ENT, where they, again, found a growth on her larynx, this time, after surgery, we were told it was cancer.  She has had 4 recurrences and currently is doing fine.  Her brother, diagnosed with the same thing, died 4 years ago.  She has an aunt with the same thing, who is still alive, and an uncle, same thing, dead.

Ok, I am 37 years old.  In December, I had a cold and became hoarse.  I really didn't give it much thought.  I still had it in January, so I went back to my PCP who said it was allergies, gave me Nasonex and told me to take zyrtec daily.  I didn't really worry until March, when my voice still had not returned.  Not wanting to follow in my mother's footsteps, I called the ENT directly.  I am a registered nurse and chose the supposed "best" ENT group here.  I made an appointment and told the doctor my concerns, what my mom had been through, and that I was just wanting to settle my mind.  He was very condesending, scoped me, told me it looked like I had reflux, no cancer and go see a GI doctor.  So, I did.  I was started on Nexium, scheduled for an upper endoscopy, where the GI doc said I did not appear to have reflux.  He then scheduled a esphogram, which also showed no reflux.  He advised me to keep on the medicine twice daily though.

Ok, now's it's August.  My voice STILL has not returned.  Now, I'm starting to expierience discomfort on the left side of my throat.  Sore and kind of like there is a lump or something stuck there.  Where do I go from this point?  I'm scared because of my family history, but the ENT made me feel stupid.  Anyone have a similar story?  I just need advice.

Thanks!

Ghennifer

If you don't like the opinion of a doctor you are seeing you have the RIGHT to a second and third opinion.  Since this is known to run in your family, I would say there is cause for concern and if you don't feel that anything is being done about it you have the right to go to someone else who will. 

Furthermore, no doctor should ever make their patient feel the way that your doctor did.

Is there any way that you can go to the doctor who diagnosed your mom?  Obviously he knows the family history and what he is talking about.

I have seen on here several people having said,"it is your life, your body, and your journey" (not your doctors, your friends or your relatives) YOU make sure YOU do what is right for YOU!

 I wish you well,

Cami

You need CT or PET scan To look for cancer. I played  games with doctors for over two years. They claimed I has sinus problems but CT scan showed cancer. Acid reflux is highly likely to cause cancer. Doctor who claimed it was only a sinus problem droped me as a patient. Don't believe 1/2 of what they tell you. Get second opinions and do not rely on their diagnosis unless they have done tests. A scope is not a test it tells them little to nothing. Cancer of the larynx many times is not seen with a scope until there is a tumor that only appears to be a lump which is hard to see and easy to miss.  Many times a tumor is not seen by scope until it is too late. You could die or end up like me. I have no larynx or tongue. Its quite possible this loss could have been prevented with scans instead of just using a scope to examine my throat.