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Swollen Lymph Nodes

CLM2198
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Hi all, sorry if this is a long read!

I'm a 24yr old male and I've had a couple raised Lymph Nodes, one behind my right ear and another in front of my left ear for about 4 years. They are less than 1cm and not visible. I've had them checked by multiple doctors and none have been concerned. I had blood tests done at the time which came back clear. Last August (2021) I started regularly feeling tired, however, I had a lot of disturbed sleep and stress. GP put it down to anxiety and another round of blood tests came back clear.

I'm still feeling tired on and off and about two weeks ago I noticed another enlarged lymph node on the left side of my neck, just above my collar bone. A couple of days later I found another just under the right side of my jaw. The lumps are no bigger than 1cm, firm and moveable. GP was convinced they aren't anything to be concerned about. Told me to watch and wait - easier said than done!

Yesterday I noticed another 3 small nodes in my neck which has tipped my anxiety into overdrive! GP has referred me for more blood tests but I'm terrified that I could have Lymphoma or cancer spread from elsewhere. I don't have any other symptoms, I do get hot and cold feelings but I think that might be panic. 

Any kind of insight or opinion would be really appreciated.

 

 

  • Hi CLM2198,

    You've done the right thing in seeing your GP about this. It is only a doctor who can advise on this, so do follow their guidance and try to take some reassurance from what they have said and the results you've had so far.

    Try to manage the worries by not checking too often, by focusing on other things where possible, and by listening to your doctor and any results that follow also.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Ben

    Thank you for your reply.

    I don't think my health anxiety makes it any easier. I tend to assume the worst whatever symptoms I get. My blood test won't be until the 21/09, it's a bit of a wait but hopefully I'll get some answers then (or even better the nodes will have gone down). My GP doesn't think there is any need to have the bloods done urgently.

    I don't know if the fact that all of the nodes have appeared fairly rapidly, are localised and are all about the same size (less than 1cm) is reassuring. They don't seem to be getting any bigger since last week.

    I had COVID-19 at the beginning of August and a couple of red ant bites on my shoulder a few weeks ago - so I'm hoping one of these may be the cause. 

    Thank You Again 

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