Swollen lymph nodes, referred to Haematology, worried

Hi all. I'm not sure why I'm posting here, probably just to get this off my chest and hopefully listen to others experiences who have gone through the same.

I'm 35. Modest medical history aside from asthma, migraine and vitiligo. 

In May and June I had a real bad bacterial throat infection, worst I've ever had, lasting over a month. It was treated with antibiotics and I recovered well. It's worth noting that I had *no swollen lymph nodes* during this infection. Just the throat symptoms, which completely cleared up with the antibiotics. 

 

Then in July, my lymph nodes in my neck started to swell and were so painful I could barely turn my neck. I had no other symptoms. I went saw the ANP at my GP surgery, who sent me for bloods. Glandular fever test was negative, but ESR, CRP and ALT (liver enzyme) were high.

My lymph nodes were swollen for 2 weeks, then started to go down again - they improved for around a week and a half. Now, they've swollen up yet again. The right side is painful, but I've noticed a hard painless one on the left side as well. Again, no other symptoms of infection.

I went back to the doctors, could only get an appointment with the ANP again, who had referred me to Haematology on an urgent cancer / 2 week wait referral. Currently waiting for my appointment. 

Aside from the swollen glands in my neck, I don't have other symptoms... I don't seem to have swollen glands elsewhere that I can palpate. I don't really have night sweats, I'm a little warmer at night but considering how the weather has been recently it's hardly surprising. I am fatigued and stressed, but I put it down to having to work as a nurse, stressful issues at work, looking after my toddler, plus a recent bereavement, and recently getting a new job offer and the prospect of starting that. 

 

I'm really worried. I'm finding this really hard to deal with, especially with my recent bereavement also (the funeral was yesterday! The day after I saw the ANP). As a nurse myself I always tell my patients never to use Dr Google....... Yet here I am, doing it myself. I can't help it. I'm panicking that I may have lymphoma. I know it's unlikely. But there's always a fear that you may just be that small rare statistic.

I feel like a total hypochondriac. 

Anyway, any reassurance would be most welcome. Thank you for reading. 

  • Hi Fishtankerous, you have come to the right place, there will be people here who are going through the same thing and being referred to haematology is probably the best place to be for a blood related disorder. As a Nurse you will know that several different things can cause the nodes to enlarge. I saw my GP this morning about a similar situation but my appointment was unfortunately not proactive and on my previous bloods which i had to arrange privately to get the full range it showe that my liver enzymes were playing up and my iron status was poor, haematology gave me an infusion in july. I told the GP I still remain very tired and swollen glands etc. Her response was you aren't really very anaemic. I know my Hb is just below normal but my red cells ar missbehaving. My plan is to repeat the private bloods and send them to my haematologist again to see what he says. It is natural to feel the stress and anxiety on the 2ww but try and busy yourself with other things if you can, carry on talking to people on the forum because talking helps and please let us know how you get on

    best wishes

    HM

  • Thank you so much for your kind reply, [@hassledmum]‍. I'm really sorry to hear of your own troubles. I have just read your other post in Newly Diagnosed, you have really been through it so I really appreciate you finding time to reply to me. 

    I'm glad of the speedy referral by the nurse. I also know that 9 out of 10 2 week wait referrals end up not being cancer. But you always wonder if you're the 1 that is. Today is not a good day. But hopefully I will find things to take my mind off the wait. 

     

  • Hi Fishtankerous, (I love your name) I always try to reply if it is something that has hit my own radar because talking helps and even if the fanastic news of not having cancer on the 2ww it doesn't take away the anxiety whilst you are waiting to get to that point and if you are the 1 in 10 you will have lots of people here to support you. I have been told for 3 separate dx you can't have whatever because it is rare. my answer to that is yes but it exists. My endocrinologist called in 2020 to say sorry because a fresh pair of eyes had seen that I had potentially got diabetes insipidus and had arranged a water deprivation test which along with an MRI of brain showed the pituitary damage and confirmed the dx. (radiotherapy damage) So I have dipped my toe into quite a few areas that might help people or at least start a conversation.

    all the best

    HM

    ps we all go through those not so great days where we want to hunker under a duvet and just stay there :-)

  • Thank you [@hassledmum]

    Today I got a letter saying that the referral has been made and that Haematology will contact me soon with an appointment.

    Feeling really really tired and fatigued today with lots of aches and pains but it might just be the weather. And probably just exhaustion from recent stress and events.

    Sorry to hear about all you have been through. Hopefully I will find this forum a source of reassurance. 

  • Just going to post an update here. I had a telephone appointment with Haematology. I've got an ultrasound and blood tests booked for a little over a week's time.  Nodes still swollen, they were painless for a while but now have started hurting again. Fed up. Worried. 

  • Updating in case people find this thread useful, if they're in the same situation. 

    Got a call from Haematology nurse to say that my ultrasound was reviewed at MDT meeting and they are not concerned. Full blood count is also OK. I have a phone appointment with haematologist next week.