Hard, large lymphnode

Hi,

I'm a 27 f and in March 23 noticed a swollen lymph node. It's still there 4months later.

It's quite big maybe 3cm, on the left side of my neck.

It's hard and immobile.

And I am terrified.

I went to the Dr yday and they didn't seem to worried and referred me for a non urgent ultrasound.

The anxiety is too much for me so I've booked in privately for an ultrasound next week.

I have no symptoms but just to top of the anxiety I'm 5 weeks pregnant.

I'm so scared and I've absolutely convinced myself it's something g terrible.

Anyone else in or been in the same situation?

  • Hello Nics96, 

    I can understand why seeing this hard swollen lymph node still there 4 months later is making you feel worried and you did the right thing to show it to your doctor. It sounds like your doctor is genuinely not worried about it but it's good you are getting this ultrasound next week just for peace of mind. Congratulations on your pregnancy too, it's fantastic news! 

    It's normal when anxious to anticipate the worst but swollen lymph nodes happen quite commonly and there are so many other reasons than cancer which can cause these lymph nodes to become enlarged so do not scare yourself unnecessarily and hopefully in a few days when you have your ultrasound, you will get the reassurance you need. Everything crossed for you! 

    I hope that you will hear from other members here who have been in your position before and that they will share their experience with you. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm really praying that it's nothing like so many of the storied I've read on here. 

    Feel like I can't get excited about the pregnancy until this is all sorted- but thank you.

    I think the biggest concern is that it's quite hard and fixed but will wait until the USound now

  • Hi Nic, 

    I posted here a few days ago- I’m terrified also but my situation is a bit different. I’ve had a swollen node for 13 years but was told at an ultrasound to keep an eye on it, which I did but now I’ve noticed it’s changed and grown and I have had 3 other nodes pop up in the last 3 weeks. I have a daughter who is only 4 so understand your worry from that perspective. I’m sure yours is absolutely fine- the doctors know what’s a concern and what isn’t - this is what I keep telling myself anyway although doesn’t take away the anxiety. Especially after googling it to the high heavens now I’m convinced because of the location of my new ones it can only be cancer. 
    I hope your ultrasound  goes well I’m sure you will get the reassuring you need xx

  • Gosh it's such anxiety isn't it. I have a 4 yr old too and every time I touch the lump I'm even more convinced it's something bad.

    I can't for the life of me stay off Google which we all know doesn't help.

    Are you going back to the doctors?

  • I am exactly the same - I have googled constantly and everything is cancer. I can’t change my mindset whatever I try! I can’t stop touching the lumps which I’ve read can make them worse. But I’m that convinced anyway that it’s something awful so I just think it won’t do anymore harm. 
    Every other niggle I’ve convinced myself is also something terrible. 
    IM arranging a private ultrasound this week xx

  • We sound like we're the same person haha. I'm sure your ultrasound will come back clear. Wishing you all the best. Mines on Thursday so i will let you know how I get on. With private ones you get the results on the day xx

  • Did you have a sore throat or anything like that prior to your lump, Iv got ongoing problems with my tonsils and each them it gets bad my Lymph nodes swell up and I can feel them through my skin and it’s always on the same side of my infection started in my right moved to my left. After a course of antibiotics they do go down well I’m hoping they go down because I can’t feel them but because of the ongoing tonsil issues Iv convinced myself I have cancer and I have 2 kids 5 year old and 2 year old and I’m so scared. Was refered to ent he had a look gave me more antibiotics and sent me for mri had it on Friday just waiting for results so scared. 

  • Hello, I’m sorry that your worried - it’s an absolutely awful time isn’t it - and there’s nothing any one can say to help reassure you - I think it’s in our nature to fear the worst especially when we have children. 
    I ended up going to A&E yesterday - I had an absolute panic and anxiety attack in work and had to leave and got my husband to take me to hospital. My anxiety was so bad I couldn’t take anymore and needed to see a doctor straight away. 
    I saw a lovely doctor who checked me over - I told him my worries that I thought I had cancer and he felt my neck and told me my lymph nodes aren’t enlarged, that sometimes people can feel them and that the one I was most worried about wasn’t over a cm, which was astounding to me as I’d convinced myself it was. He said that just because you can feel then doesn’t mean they are enlarged. So try to feel reassured! They swell when we are poorly and if you are having recurrent tonsillitis it’s likely this is the cause ! 
    I was due a private ultrasound tomorrow but after checking me over he said he was pretty certain that I was okay ans I didn’t have any red flags. You have a sore throat too so that would indicate your lymph nodes are fighting something and doing their job xx

  • Hope all goes well for you sending positive thoughts xx

  • Oh that sounds so reassuring I’m so happy for you. Honestly anxiety is killing me my Gp wanted to prescribe me medication but I declined as I feel like it’s always heightened when it comes to Health cares I think once I’m told whatever is going on with me I would relax. My husband just plays the husband role of stop stressing and constantly looking down your throat and wait for your results. Ye a easier said than done . Although deep down I know his right stressing over the results won’t change the results what’s there is there. It’s trying to occupy my mind and not think about it all is the issue, it’s hard to distinguish what is real symptoms to what is anxiety caused especially at the ones that are not noticeable. I think this time round where I don’t have a sore throat and the only symptom I have is lump behind my tonsil and occasionally feeling of something stuck in my throat again possibly the anxiety is scarying me….  Wish it was all over so I can just get back to normal life taking a toll On my mental health :(