Very worried - swollen lymph gland in neck

Hi,

Apologies for the long post.

For the past few months or so i keep getting  swollen and tender glands on the right side of my neck, just below my jaw. It is quite painful in that area if i move my head to the right. The tenderness usually lasts about a week or two and then seems to go away however my gland still remains abit enlarged. The soreness goes away but then reappears every few weeks  and this has been going on for a few months now so im very worried that something isn't right. I saw my Gp when it first happened and was told i was probably fighting off an infection somewhere (even though i had no obvious signs or symptoms of an infection) and not to worry. Today i visited the same GP who again told me that i probably have an infection somewhere. He checked me over and saw no signs of ear, throat infection and no high temperature. I generally feel fine, however I am feeling very fatigued but i am 19 weeks pregnant so this could be why. He looked through previous blood work i had done as part of my pregnancy and noticed that in one of them that my white blood count was slightly high. Two weeks ago i had a blood test carried out to look for infection as i was experiencing abdominal pain. I was told that everything was fine and that what i was experiencing was growing pains as a result of my pregnancy. I asked my GP why they said everything was fine if my white blood count was high. He informed me that it was only raised a trivial amount so they would have said it was normal. He therefore ordered me to have another blood test to see if anything has changed, and also wants to check my thyroid. I had this today and will get results back next week. This has my very worried and he even mentioned the word cancer, although he said he isnt concerned i have this. Ive since been looking online (which i know i shouldn't) and am now worried i could have cancer, leukaemia, lymphoma etc. My grandad died from leukaemia and i am petrified. I don't think the swollen gland has anything to do with my pregnancy as i was experiencing symptoms before i got pregnant. Im just so worried that something is wrong as there appears to be no reason why the gland is swollen, and my white blood count was slightly raised. Does anyone know if i should be concerned?

Thank you

Parents
  • Hi there, I'm experiencing something simular last week or two the lymph node under my jaw is quite big and really hurts to touch and in general. Take painkillers but they don't last long and it hurts again not a severe pain but it's there and it let's you know it. 

     

    I'm afraid to go doctors because they are useless in my surgery not the best to help anyone. But I no they will say its an infection but I no different because I feel fine regardless of that. I've had no other symptoms like fever/chills, but have been tired more than anything but I'm not exercising much due to not going out because of covid. But find myself yawning all the time once I start I can't stop type of episode. 

    My temp is normal and I feel good so no its no infection and that's why I'm worried because il get palmed off and il just be worse not knowing if there's something else wrong and causing my node to be painful as it is. 

     

    I no not too Google it as 9 out 10 times everything is cancer related but I'm a terrible worrier and it will be on my mind. 

     

    Just wondering what I should do if don't get joy at my doctors. 

Reply
  • Hi there, I'm experiencing something simular last week or two the lymph node under my jaw is quite big and really hurts to touch and in general. Take painkillers but they don't last long and it hurts again not a severe pain but it's there and it let's you know it. 

     

    I'm afraid to go doctors because they are useless in my surgery not the best to help anyone. But I no they will say its an infection but I no different because I feel fine regardless of that. I've had no other symptoms like fever/chills, but have been tired more than anything but I'm not exercising much due to not going out because of covid. But find myself yawning all the time once I start I can't stop type of episode. 

    My temp is normal and I feel good so no its no infection and that's why I'm worried because il get palmed off and il just be worse not knowing if there's something else wrong and causing my node to be painful as it is. 

     

    I no not too Google it as 9 out 10 times everything is cancer related but I'm a terrible worrier and it will be on my mind. 

     

    Just wondering what I should do if don't get joy at my doctors. 

Children
  • Hi,

     

    Did you go to the doctors after? If so what did they say?

     

    I also felt ok apart from the painful gland. I dont recall having a temperature but did feel tired, and ofcourse very worried at the time! It could be an infection in your gland/throat even if you feel fine otherwise. I was prescribed antibiotics which did the trick and after a few days it stopped hurting me. Thankfully I have been fine since, although my one gland is a bit bigger than the other but nothing major. I was told by the doctor that if the antibiotics didnt help then it may be worthwhile going for an ultra scan but he didnt seem concerned.  Luckily I didnt go for a scan as the antibiotics helped. I think its worthwhile seeing your GP if you haven't already done so as it is very possible you will be prescribed antibiotics to see if that sorts it. 

    Wish you all the best