Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: jessieblue on September 26, 2018, 11:05:14 AM

Title: Sore swollen lips can anyone help?
Post by: jessieblue on September 26, 2018, 11:05:14 AM
Hi everyone.  I am getting myself in a real spin again over a new health problem.  Im getting no help at all from my doctors, saw a nurse yesterday who didnt do anything at all and booked me a gp appointment for 9th October!  I have made a private gp appt for tomorrow but currently \i am having a huge anxiety attack over my mouth.  I have incredibly sore swollen cracking itchy lips.  It started with a sore mouth that kept getting scratched on my tongue and ulcering in two or three places.  |Then I noticed a blister on my bottom lip, it wasnt really painful just felt odd and bigger than normal, that then dried up and cracked a bit and i noticed the inside of my lip was very sore and stinging a lot.  Since then....it is now 3 weeks on my lip is really swollen with red blotchy spots and cracks and it is spreading across the whole bottom lip and I now notice my top lip is swelling too.  Its stinging a lot and feels itchy and eating causes a lot of discomfort.  I have used a ton of vaseline and various lipo balms, even blistx in case it was a cold sore....never had one in my life....but it seems to be getting worse.  I am really scared, I have severe health anxiety and have had a lot of vaginal issues with thrush and inflammation.  This feels a lot like it did down there but I cant see any thrush type things in my mouth.  I dont know what to do and feel very panicky. Has anyone had a similar experience?  I didnt know what else to do apart from post on here as you have always heloed me so much before.  Thanks xx
Title: Re: Sore swollen lips can anyone help?
Post by: Robin on September 26, 2018, 11:18:34 AM
Oh jessieblue that sounds so uncomfortable. I don't have any advice to offer but sending you a hug while you wait for advice  :hug:
Title: Re: Sore swollen lips can anyone help?
Post by: AgathaC on September 26, 2018, 05:51:47 PM
Dear Jessie Blue, I had a sore in my mouth last week and a sore ear. Within 24 hours I was convinced I had some kind of mouth cancer. This week it's sore boobs and armpits. The trouble with health anxiety is that we become so overly focused on our bodies. One of my books tells me the three things we have to hold on to: how we tend to overestimate the likelihood that there is actually anything wrong, how we also overestimate the severity of what that might be and how we underestimate our ability to deal with it. I'm so sorry that you are worried. I don't want to dismiss it because I don't ever want my worries dismissed. But I'm sure it is going to be handable and treatable. I haven't had anything similar but it could be a cold sore, localised infection, irritation, anything. Try and rest east until tomorrow and then update us xxx
Title: Re: Sore swollen lips can anyone help?
Post by: Dierdre on September 26, 2018, 07:44:23 PM
I've had this before, it was oral thrush. It felt like my lips were badly sunburnt. The doctor prescribed a gel to apply and it cleared up in a week. I was very run down at the time and had vaginal thrush also,  took an oral tablet for this which helped both. 
Title: Re: Sore swollen lips can anyone help?
Post by: Hurdity on September 27, 2018, 06:49:35 PM
Hi there - sorry to hear about your sore and swollen lips -as the toehrs have said it is probably nothing to worry about  - but what I am shocked about is the fact that it has not been treated. I thought nurses were now able to prescribe and  something like this that you have tried to treat yourself and has not gone away needs a diagnosis some sort of appropriate cream or whatever they decide. You absolutely should not have to wait until 9th october - this is not a routine appointment. You should have been seen this week, and if not this week then on Mon or Tues. Also you should not have had to book a private appointment either - this is what the NHS is for! I am just appalled to hear this (about your lack of suitable treatment when you needed it). Having said that, you made the (private) appointment and I hope it went well - do let us know the outcome and what your treatment is.

However in future please don't be fobbed off and see if you can insist on a GP appointment within a few days - ie not an emergency, but not routine. I always say this to the receptionist if I need an appt for something similar ( in urgency) - that it is not an emrgency that I need to be seen on the day for, but nor is it a routine appointment to have something checked. I usually say - I need to be seen soon about this as it is a new problem etc. You might not get to see your usual doc but at least would be seen. if they can't oblige then I would go and wait for an emergency appt if your practice does these ( eg turn up at a certain time and wait until doc is free. They put you on a list.)?

Hurdity x