Swollen lymph nodes

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar. 

 

I've had a sore throat since around the middle of December and I first found a hard lump in my neck on Christmas day (no other symptoms) the lump isnt painful and doesnt move. I went to the doctors in the start of Jan where I was told it was my tonsillar lymph node that had swollen and it was Glandular fever or possibly herpes. They did the tests for both and both came back negative and it was negative for all other infections. But my ESR and liver were mildly raised.

Since then around 9 or 10 more lymph nodes have swollen in my head and neck region and 1 in my collarbone and they keep getting bigger (doubled in size in the space of 8 weeks) my skin is itching and im constantly tired. I was sent to the rheumatologist who was really rude and said it was nothing to do with rheumatology without even examining me.

I phoned the Dr who wasn't going to do anything else until I cried over the phone and begged that they did something because my lymph nodes have been swollen for 8 weeks and keep getting bigger and i feel sick with worry. They've eventually agreed to send me for a Full blood count and a non urgent ultrasound (which could take weeks to receive the appointment).

I feel like I'm going insane and I'm worried that it could be something more serious. 

 

 

  • Hi Bronte

    Im sorry to hear that you're are going through this. I can empathise with you as I have also found multiple swollen lymph nodes around Xmas but mine are under arms and in the crease of my elbow. I don't understand the lack of urgency to send you to get this checked using ultra sound. I am also waiting for mine. Was sent as an urgent referral but it was a week ago so it looks unlikely that I will be seen within the 14 day window. I wish I had the money to go get all the tests and scans done. The wait is agonising. Did they explain to you why you are getting more swelling in other lymph nodes and if this is not worrying, how soon it should all settle down? 

  • Hi, I'm sorry to hear that you're going through the same thing. It's good that you've been sent for an urgent referral and I hope they can see you within the 14 day window!

    The GP haven't given me any explanation and won't even give me a face to face appointment due to covid so this is all done  over the phone so they haven't even felt my nodes

  • Hi,

    I totally understand what you are going through, I'd push them to get your scan done and a biopsy asap, I had a lump appear under my arm back in Nov  but had covid at the time, so the doctors were not too concerned, they sent for a scan and the radiographer said come back in 4-6 weeks if it hasn't gone, it didn't go so went back 2 weeks ago and they did a biopsy and it's come back as cancer, so huge shock to.me, I paid and had a private mammogram last week and had my first appointment in the breast clinic yesterday where they did another biopsy on my breast where they saw some different changes, I have a CT and MRI scan next week to see if it is anywhere else,  I totally get how you are feeling as when my doctor called me she just said, sorry its not very good, its spread, ive referred you to the hospital if you haven't heard anything in 2 weeks get back to me!! Its cancer, I thought I was going to die there and then and wanted to know exactly what is was and for them to do something, if you break your leg its fixed straight away, so I understand the way you are feeling, please put some pressure on them as you could be worrying needlessly, here if you need to chat x

  • Thank you, 

    I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I hope you get some good news soon and they can begin treatment.

    I'm going to ring the gp on Monday and push for a face to face and push to be referred to the correct department for testing. Because as you say, I could be worrying needlessly but I'd rather be safe than sorry which I thought the GPs would have agreed x

  • Thank you,

    I have a CT and MRU scan next week, so hopefully I'll have a few more answers then.

    Yes definitely push your GP on Monday, I know there are so many delays because of covid and the last 2 years, but we need to be listened to.

    Take care x

  • Hi,

    I just wanted to hop on and say I know exactly how you feel. I have quite a few swollen hard lymph nodes as well as 2 large lumps in my neck and I'm trying so hard not to assume the worst but it's very hard not to worry.

    I also have been sent for an ultrasound and I'd highly advise ringing the department if you still haven't had an appointment date sent out. I waited 2 weeks (which is how long my doctor said it would take for me to get an appointment letter) and when I hadn't heard anything I rang the hospital switchboard and asked to be put through. The woman on the phone was super helpful and able to get me booked in over the phone for the 3rd March (much sooner than the 6-8 weeks she said it normally takes). Would definitely recommend ringing if you haven't been sent an appointment as they might be able to do the same for you! Even if they can't fit you in sooner even just knowing a date has helped me a lot!

    Can be very frustrating when doctors don't take things seriously, even though 9 times out of 10 things end up being nothing it's still always best to get peace of mind! If your doctor still seems to be dragging their heels there's no harm in asking for a second opinion and to see a different gp at your surgery