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?

  • I have been reassured but I’m still not 100% but i just feel I have to believe someone with a medical degree as opposed to google and he told me not to google , which I think has only fuelled my anxiety. I also am still anxious about other niggles and things but trying to be rational. 
    I hope you get your results soon- the waiting is the worst part! Because it’s so mentally exhausting. You are not alone in feeling this way, ans my husband was the same - I was constantly feeling my neck ! My lymph node appeared after no apparent illness which worried me even more ! But i have always worried and had health anxiety and felt for things, and if you are so aware of your body even the smallest thing can amplify. 
    let me know how you get on im sure it will all be fine. In the meantime could you talk to someone maybe a counsellor ? I’ve contacted someone to help with the anxiety aspect as it’s so consuming xx

  • I have also felt weirdness in my throat like I can’t swallow and something is there, and one side feels different to the other - I have read when you have anxiety you are over sensitised and every little thing you feel. X the mental health is yeh worst mine is rock bottom x

  • Yeah I did but for me it's been up for 4 months. I'm hoping on Thursday I get some reassurance. Absolutely terrified 

  • So sorry to hear your anxiety got that bad but I'm so glad you've been reassured! 

  • Yes I think I’m going to have to talk to a professional because my husband is on the verge of divorcing me because it’s all I think about funny not funny. My friends are being supportive but don’t want to dampen their mood constantly my kids help keep me distracted for a little while and then guilt fills me up of thinking what will happen if I’m gone. Need to just take each day as it comes and relax going through all these emotions and nothing has been diagnosed yet. Yes you’re right Google is the devil itself, most of my anxiety stems from Google search engine.  I hope we all find our answers soon and put all this behind us xxx

  • I was told if this helps that after infection or illness lymph nodes can take weeks and months to go down xx 

  • Honestly google is the worst possible thing but it also so addictive. I find myself down serious rabbit holes. 

    I've had CBT therapy for health anxiety so been trying to use that but when you have a physical symptom is just so hard.

    Do you have any scans or anything coming up Sweet?

  • Yes and sometimes they never go down - mine never has - or has it always been there I don’t know ! You’re right Nic once you have a symptom that’s it isn’t it - you become wholly focused on that and all the things it might be and it’s just the worst. My husband had to tell me off for challenging the doctor when I said ‘but google said ‘ and the doctor just said to me ‘in my professional opinion’ at which point I was like okay I will listen. I also can’t help but feel was he just trying to reassure me and for me off but am trying not to think that way !my anxiety stems from me losing my mum and grandma to cancer - I was pregnant when my mum dies suddenly not from the cancer but a cardiac arrest so I wasn’t expecting it. I at least thought she’d meet my baby. I don’t think for me I have grieved and from my last experiences I just think the worst all the time. 
    I hope you both get some reassurance from your scans - and can get back to enjoying our children and lives. Xx

  • Iv had CBT after the birth of my son because it was so traumatic and during lockdown but I got over it quickly and self discharged myself didn’t really find it useful over the phone to be honest thanks covid! That was in 2020 since then Iv been well had few issues with daughter who had infected ezcema tackling her strep on her skin at the beginning of the year for liek 4months hard time was really scared incase she gets sepsis and then just as I cleared her up it was my turn!! I did get throat swab and that came back as strep so I’m wondering while taking care of her I might have infected myself and bacterial infection I’m told can take months to clear. But that’s just my wishful thinking to deter my mind away from cancer, yes I had a mri on Friday and I desperately tried to get something out of them but had no luck so just waiting on them results really I have another appointment with ENT on the 27th but that was booked before my MRI, if I get a phone call before that about my scan then I’m probably thinking worst case or I’m told by his secretary that he will just talk to me at my next appointment. Just waiting really the annoying part of all this xx 

  • “My husband had to tell me off for challenging the doctor when I said ‘but google said ‘ and the doctor just said to me ‘in my professional opinion’ This comment actually had my laughing out loud for a very long time because I have done the same hahahah xx