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Driving myself crazy, someone please help

Lauranicole6
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So have been told I have level 5 reactive lymph nodes, I have a goiter that's pushing on my windpipe and making it a real struggle to breathe, I'm so poorly and no one cares :( the doctors aren't even bothered. I've been bed ridden and I'm totally fed up. Also can you have thyroid cancer that wasn't picked up in swollen lymph nodes?

  • Hello Laura

    I'm sorry to hear that you're still feeling unwell and struggling with anxiety about your symptoms. It's clear from your posts that you're finding this a difficult time and I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling so unsupported. 

    Your GP surgery should be the first port of call for these kinds of concerns. If you're not happy with the response that you've had from your Dr then you can contact the Practice Manager to raise your concerns. If it's the hospital that you feel hasn't answered your questions or taken your situation seriously then get in touch with the PALS team. 

    I can see that you've already posted in our Ask the Nurses topic area. If you'd like to talk with them for some advice they're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I also wanted to give you some links that may help you manage your anxiety and stress whilst you're dealing with these ongoing symptoms. The first one is about managing health anxiety from the NHS website and the second link is for a site called Every Mind Matters. Both of these sites have advice, information, and tips for managing your mental health. 

    I do hope that things improve for you soon Laura. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

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    Thank you for your comment, I've been told my lymph nodes are reactive by my ent consultant but because I went in still so poorly he has ordered to have more tests done on my thyroid, so hopefully I'll get the answers that I need soon! Am I able to get a full thyroid check through my gp do you know?

  • Offline in reply to Lauranicole6

    I think you can get a thyroid check done with your GP, but I honestly struggeled getting my request made. Also my T4 and T3 ranges where perfectly normal. It was the TPO ordered through my rheumatologist that showed I was well over the normal ranges, and even then I was just put on levothyroxine, as my ultrasounds came back 'normal'. Your best bet is, if your bloods are fine ( if they're not ask to be referred to haematology, this is where they referred me for my first two ultrasounds in March ) otherwise push hard for a referral with ENT clinic due to the discomfort in your throat, report any changes in your voice... also take gaviscon so you can tell the doctor it's not acid reflux 

    I felt quite weak, I would be very disy at times, lethargic, major bowl issues such as diarrhoea and issues with my lymoh nodes throughout my body but the only concern by GP had with my blood tests where deemed as fine, except for low ranges of vitimin D, iron and folic acid. I'm not sure if you had similar symptoms. 

    If your not getting anywhere, give yourself a timeframe and go private for a biopsy of the 'reactive' nodules. Btw I was told via two ultrasounds in March 2022 that everything was fine, in November I was told in the first ultrasound my neck was abnormal and the second ultrasound even without a biopsy confirmed it was highly suspicious of cancer. The biopsy's confirmed it was cancer, even my GP said he was shook at my diagnosis  

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