Dark Spot on Gums

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Has anyone ever had a dark spot show up on their gums? I just had mine removed and it is being sent for biopsy and I’m freaking out. My doctor said he isn’t worried because I have none of the risk factors and everything around the spot looks healthy, but he is being cautious. He has said there are several non-serious causes and that is what he thinks it is. Just looking for positive stories from the Disboards because you all have so much life experience and are always helpful.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It’s not something I have any experience with, sorry. But we are blessed to have such early detection today in cancer care. (Not that I think you have cancer!) Whoever found that and recommended biopsy did good. I am an 18 year cancer survivor. Praying for you that everything turns out negative.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I’m really not doing well emotionally this weekend. I’ve signed myself up for BetterHelp to get some mental health support quickly and I will try to get in to a therapist as soon as I can. My dentist, my oral surgeon, my parents’ neighbor who is a dentist and my boss’s wife who is a dental hygienist have said it is probably nothing dangerous but I can’t help thinking the worst. My PCP upped my meds too, but that has t started helping yet. I just want to cry. I need people to tell me I’m ok.

 

[HeatherC]

I’m really not doing well emotionally this weekend. I’ve signed myself up for BetterHelp to get some mental health support quickly and I will try to get in to a therapist as soon as I can. My dentist, my oral surgeon, my parents’ neighbor who is a dentist and my boss’s wife who is a dental hygienist have said it is probably nothing dangerous but I can’t help thinking the worst. My PCP upped my meds too, but that has t started helping yet. I just want to cry. I need people to tell me I’m ok.

Please try not to panic. 90% of the time things turn out fine. I totally feel your pain because I also have health anxiety and know how debilitating it can be. While you are waiting for answers try to do things that can help you relax. Take a bath, walk, meditate, deep breathing or get together with friends if that is better for you.

One other suggestion is to take magnesium. It can help with anxiety.
I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you and I KNOW you will be fine!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Please try not to panic. 90% of the time things turn out fine. I totally feel your pain because I also have health anxiety and know how debilitating it can be. While you are waiting for answers try to do things that can help you relax. Take a bath, walk, meditate, deep breathing or get together with friends if that is better for you.

One other suggestion is to take magnesium. It can help with anxiety.
I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you and I KNOW you will be fine!

Oh my gosh, thank you so much. You actually made me cry. Health anxiety is so hard. I think I have trauma from my childhood and I need to get it addressed.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

I’m really not doing well emotionally this weekend. I’ve signed myself up for BetterHelp to get some mental health support quickly and I will try to get in to a therapist as soon as I can. My dentist, my oral surgeon, my parents’ neighbor who is a dentist and my boss’s wife who is a dental hygienist have said it is probably nothing dangerous but I can’t help thinking the worst. My PCP upped my meds too, but that has t started helping yet. I just want to cry. I need people to tell me I’m ok.

Hang in there Stitch. I have health anxiety too. However, in your case, I would be feeling pretty good. You have been adviced by multiple professionals that in their experience it is most likely nothing and the dentist is just being cautious. Keep reminding yourself of that. In my experience (I am 54 and have had cancer 3 times) Drs are honest and will tell you when they are concerned and when they are being cautious. In every instance for myself this has been true. Keep repeating to yourself that your dentist and oral surgeon don't think it is anything serious. Again, I can struggle myself at times because of my history, but when a Dr. tells me it is most likely nothing, I keep reminding myself of that over and over.

Another thing to keep in mind is that in todays world, Drs really do have to be extrememly cautious over every little thing, so they don't get sued. In my case, I've even been told that 10-20 years ago, things that they may have just waited another 6 months to recheck, they just go ahead and remove it and send if off to be tested. So much more proactive nowadays instead of waiting and watching.

Sorry that you are going through this......

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Hang in there Stitch. I have health anxiety too. However, in your case, I would be feeling pretty good. You have been adviced by multiple professionals that in their experience it is most likely nothing and the dentist is just being cautious. Keep reminding yourself of that. In my experience (I am 54 and have had cancer 3 times) Drs are honest and will tell you when they are concerned and when they are being cautious. In every instance for myself this has been true. Keep repeating to yourself that your dentist and oral surgeon don't think it is anything serious. Again, I can struggle myself at times because of my history, but when a Dr. tells me it is most likely nothing, I keep reminding myself of that over and over.

Another thing to keep in mind is that in todays world, Drs really do have to be extrememly cautious over every little thing, so they don't get sued. In my case, I've even been told that 10-20 years ago, things that they may have just waited another 6 months to recheck, they just go ahead and remove it and send if off to be tested. So much more proactive nowadays instead of waiting and watching.

Sorry that you are going through this......

Thank you very much. Your post helps me as well.

 

[mefordis]

I’m really not doing well emotionally this weekend. I’ve signed myself up for BetterHelp to get some mental health support quickly and I will try to get in to a therapist as soon as I can. My dentist, my oral surgeon, my parents’ neighbor who is a dentist and my boss’s wife who is a dental hygienist have said it is probably nothing dangerous but I can’t help thinking the worst. My PCP upped my meds too, but that has t started helping yet. I just want to cry. I need people to tell me I’m ok.

I'd be willing to bet $1000 you will be fine! I think it will be completely benign. These things usually are, they just need to be safe by sending it in. Please try not to worry.

 

[Carol_]

My dog had black spots on his gums. I’ve stopped giving medical opinions here because <<reasons>> but my money is on your being fine, too, except for that anxiety thing. Glad you’re being proactive there.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I'd be willing to bet $1000 you will be fine! I think it will be completely benign. These things usually are, they just need to be safe by sending it in. Please try not to worry.

Thank you so much for this!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

My dog had black spots on his gums. I’ve stopped giving medical opinions here because <<reasons>> but my money is on your being fine, too, except for that anxiety thing. Glad you’re being proactive there.

Thank you very much. And I can’t keep living with this anxiety. It is making me miserable and it is going to start having real health consequences.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

No update yet. I go between being positive to wanting to cry. Leaning hard into faith right now….

 

[HeatherC]

No update yet. I go between being positive to wanting to cry. Leaning hard into faith right now….

. Thinking of you. Waiting is the hardest part.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Finally got my results - it was a hematoma from an u known trauma! All this stress for that. But I’m still pursuing therapy. I can’t live like this.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Finally got my results - it was a hematoma from an u known trauma! All this stress for that. But I’m still pursuing therapy. I can’t live like this.

I am very glad the spot wasn’t anything bad!!!

 

[dazedx3]

That's great news... and yes, therapy is never a waste

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Glad it worked out.

 

[HeatherC]

So happy for you! You must be so relieved.

 

[Mysterian]

Congrats! I know too well what it's like to worry over nothing. In those bad moments, it's good to remember all those times when supposed "catastrophe" safely turned to relief.