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Lymph nodes

Madison321
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I've had multiple lymph nodes in my neck for about three months now. They're on both sides and under my jaw, the one on the right under my jaw is defo bigger. I would say they're about a fingertip size (2 smaller) the ones under my chin are the biggest, they're also quite hard and when I push on them to see how hard they are they do move a bit, the ones under my jaw I have to try hard to move them. I haven't been poorly once to account for tbem being bigger and they aren't painful at all, I didn't know much about lymph nodes but the internet tells me they should be pee sized and they're not! I have bouts of feeling quite tired and sometimes feeling sick for no reason but I wouldn't call myself ill, I eat pretty well and get exercise too
ive been thinking about them for a while but I am unsure about ringing the doctors as I'm sure they're extremely busy and it could just be something and nothing. So I'm just wondering if I should be concerned about them or not. The nodes by my hips are much smaller and seem more round, the ones in my neck are an oval shape and the one under my chin on the right is a bit like a ball. 
if anyone has any advice for me that would be great. I have never had cancer and I'm not sure I'm in the right place but googling lymph nodes sent me here so I thought I would give it a shot 

 

Thankyou! 

  • Online

     

    Hi Madison,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear about your swollen lymph nodes. I am not a doctor, just another cancer pilgrim. Why not make an appointment with your GP? They are not too busy to investigate symptoms like these. Hopefully it is nothing significant, but you are better to be sure.

    You will probably get a telephone consultation initially, but your GP can still see you if they deem it necessary.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline

    Hi Madison,

    Sorry to rant on about my experience - I'm not a doctor or medical professional, so can't give you medical advice. But hopefully it helps put you at some ease!

    During the first lockdown, I found oval shaped lymph nodes in my neck - two on the right and one on the left. They actually didn't concern me until I found a larger one under my right armpit. I too didn't want to bother my doctor with Covid going around and I didn't want to waste their time.

    However, I bit the bullet and gave my GP a call. They scheduled a telephone appointment with me for the following week. When the doctor called, she asked me about the lumps. She asked whether they were hard (I thought they were), the size (I thought they were definitely a centimetre at least) and if I had other symptoms. I had no other symptoms but occasional tiredness etc. - probably down to work.

    The doctor decided she wanted to see me so got me in the same day. She examined my neck, armpits (she found another one in my left armpit, and decided there were actually two in my right armpit), groin (found one more) and referred me to haematology.

    I saw the haematologist a few weeks later, and they actually described all my lymph nodes as the opposite of what I thought:

    I thought they were hard, she said they were soft.

    I thought they were large, she described them as "little"! 

    She sent me for an ultrasound and CT scan, just to make sure. They were both clear and I actually feel much better knowing everything inside is fine! She explained that she would've expected me to feel much more unwell if they were there for as long as I said they were and have more symptoms.

    It's very easy to Google and come to conclusions, fearing the worst (and I did fear the worst). In the end, all of my panic was for nothing.

    Don't worry about wasting your doctor's time. If you feel something isn't right, visit your GP. They'll let you know the best course of action and hopefully make you feel better about it. It's definitely not a waste of time if you come away from it feeling better or knowing what's up.

    All the best,

    Charlie.

  • Offline in reply to cj11

    Hello Charlie, 

    that is a very reassuring post for Maddison, and myself. 
     

    I have a pea size lump in my neck which I have had(or noticed) since around 13th November so almost 2 months ago. It hasn't grown. My GP had done two phone consultations with me and then decided to examine the lump face to face, this was yesterday. She didn't seem overly concerned, I haven't got any that have popped up anywhere else, but I am being referred for an ultrasound to rule out sinister and hoping it's just a cyst. 
    your post has reassured me, surely I would feel more ill if it was something serious???

    I hope these posts help Madison xx

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