Hi Alt8. 

Please note that I'm not a doctor and I'm not qualified to give medical advice. 

If you were to take your pulse at different times, you'd get slightly different readings. We're all aware of this and don't give it a second thought. Well, all blood parameters can change slightly, and the fact that your white cell count is slightly increased from the last time but is still within the normal range is probably as insignificant as your pulse rate changing.  You've had a battery of blood tests and they all appear to be normal. While not conclusive, this is a good indication that there's nothing serious going on. 

The body is challenged by viruses every day, and effortlessly fights them off without any intervention on our part. Sometimes, the only way we know is that we feel a little bit yeuky in the morning, or maybe we find a raised gland in the neck or under our armpit. It is certainly conceivable for you to be fighting off a series of minor infections, none of which produce obvious symptoms, but which are sufficient to cause some lymph nodes to react. 

As for your doctor mentioning cancer, I'm reminded of a comedy sketch I saw many years ago.  Two airline pilots were having fun by playing jokes on the passengers. One of them made this announcement: "Ladies and Gentlemen. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the starboard engine!". Much to the alarm and consternation of the passengers.

It seems to me that by dismissing cancer, your doctor has done the medical equivalent of saying there's nothing wrong with the starboard engine!  You've heard the word cancer and latched onto it - as we all do.  

I know it's difficult but please do try to stay calm. Trust your GP and cross your bridges only when you get to them. 

Thank you for your replies. Telemando thank you  for your reassuring words, i do hope i have nothing to worry about. I am still waiting in my blood test results, i rang my doctors today and they have come back but I was told my GP had not commented on them yet. Im not sure what this means but will ring back tomorrow. A scan has not been mentioned, i think they want tobsee rwsults of blood rwsults first and then gonfrom there. Would i need a scan if the blood results are ok?  My gland is not as sore now but still feels enlarged, im hoping it will go down soon. Im still very worried and as you have said I've latched onto the word cancer and it is all I have worried about the last few days. I just hope things will be ok so I can stop worrying, this worry is not good for me or my baby! 

Maggz i hope everything goes ok for you tomorrow, please let us know how you get on x

Hi Alt8. 

In my GP practice, a patient doesn't receive any results through the reception until the GP has seen them and added a comment. The receptionist can then read out the result and the GP's comment to the patient.  Eg. "5.0  GP's comment: slightly high but nothing to be concerned about", or "4.6 GP's comment: normal reading".  

Whether you need a scan even if blood results are ok really depends. In the past, GP's have been criticised for not diagnosing cancer early enough, and some have taken this to heart (I know my GP has). Hence my GP may still order a scan even though the bloods are fine, as much for her reassurance as for mine!  I've noticed this trend among consultants, too. When you get referred on a two week pathway, many (most?) patients are given a battery of tests irrespective of whether or not the consultant thinks cancer is a likely diagnosis. The trend now appears to be to give whatever scans/tests are necessary to exclude cancer as a possibility, rather than to confirm cancer as a diagnosis. 

So, please don't be too concerned if you get referred for more followup tests. That's just the way the NHS works today. 

My blood results came back today. Was told that everything was fine but the doctor wants me to have an Iron and B12 blood test as i may be slightly aneamic. I was worried about this but was told it is because of my pregnancy as low iron levels is quite common whilst pregnant,  and was assured I shouldn't worry. ( the doctor picked up on my anxiety and told me he has no concerns) this may explain why i have felt so tired and been feeling  out of sorts. Im booked in to have these checked in a weeks time. I also asked about my white blood count and was told that it was fine.  Nothing was mentioned about having a scan or anything else to check my glands, so im not sure whether I should be asking  this question or not? It is no longer sore and i think it has gone down a bit but still noticeable when i feel for it. This is all reassuring but I would be lying if i said i wasnt still a bit concerned. Am I worrying too much?

Maggz i do hope everything went ok for you today x

My blood results came back today. Was told that everything was fine but the doctor wants me to have an Iron and B12 blood test as i may be slightly aneamic. I was worried about this but was told it is because of my pregnancy as low iron levels is quite common whilst pregnant,  and was assured I shouldn't worry. ( the doctor picked up on my anxiety and told me he has no concerns) this may explain why i have felt so tired and been feeling  out of sorts. Im booked in to have these checked in a weeks time. I also asked about my white blood count and was told that it was fine.  Nothing was mentioned about having a scan or anything else to check my glands, so im not sure whether I should be asking  this question or not? It is no longer sore and i think it has gone down a bit but still noticeable when i feel for it. This is all reassuring but I would be lying if i said i wasnt still a bit concerned. Am I worrying too much?

Maggz i do hope everything went ok for you today x

Hi Alt8.  

That's good news about the blood tests.  If you're low in iron and/or B12 then that's something which is easily fixed with supplements. There's no harm is asking the doctor about your swollen nodes if they're still swollen when you get the iron and B12 results.

Hi

Thanks for your reply. I will ask the doctor about this again when i get the blood results.  I think they have gone down but still feel a bit enlarged on the right side to me. My partner said he doesn't think they are swollen and that you are supposed to be able to feel them somewhat. I guess you do feel them if you press hard enough but I dont even need to press that hard. He thinks that im worrying too much, I guess i am but can't help it! 

Hi Alt8.

It can take lymph nodes some weeks to settle down completely after they've been swollen. Give them a couple more weeks and stop poking them! 

I have exactly the same. But on my left side.

What i would class as my normal gland, is permanently larger than the right hand side. Now and again it literally feels like it will burst, there is a smaller gland above which also swells up. Very painful to the touch, and you noticeably see big lumps in my neck.

I had bloods taken, all good. Doc gave me antibiotics anyway but still the same. A couple of months ago i got an urgent referral to a specialist. A rang up today to chase it up. Another 2 months until my appointment!!

Pretty scared about it now to be honest.

Hi Leggy928. Welcome to the forum. I am not a doctor. 

Please try not to worry. 

I understand that the lumps are worrying, but be reassured that Hodgkins lymphoma is a rare cancer, and non-Hodgkins is even more rare. You also don't mention the classic lymphoma symptoms of night sweats and itching, so the chances that your symptoms are caused by lymphoma are very low indeed.  On the other hand, lymph nodes can and do swell up painfully, and can stay swollen for long periods as part of a normal fight against infection.

You could return to your GP, ask whether (while you're waiting) you could be referred for an ultrasound check of the swollen nodes, or maybe there's another hospital with a shorter waiting list. And of course, if anything changes, such as you getting night sweats or severe itching, then you must return to your GP.  

I will be going private on monday. Will keep you posted.

Thanks for the reply.

Good luck. Please tell us how you get on. 

Hi leggy928, 

Haven't been on here for a while. Hope everything turned out fine for you?