Hi,  we recently had a similar scare with my son. He had several enlarged lymphnodes in his neck, after being fobbed off many times, eventually he was referred for a ultrasound.  Turned out to be absolutely fine!   His lymphnodes have been swollen for over a year now and have remained the same. Apparently it's really common for them not to go back down, can even remain permanently enlarged. Try not to worry!  Usually the sign of some kind of infection.

Hey!

Health anxiety is so much worse when you have a little one! I'm the same age as you and had a referral and scans at the beginning of this year. I found swollen lymph nodes just above my collar bone and good old google filled me with panic because the nodes i was having issues with are usually an indication of something more "worrysome". Initial blood tests came back fine but a few days later I found a lump near my thyroid so I was referred without even being seen by my GP. I was so scared because I have a 3 year old daughter, so I can imagine how you must be feeling!

Luckily everything came back fine on the scan ( they checked my nodes because I mentioned them, even though they had just been asked to check thyroid) and other blood tests. Even though the nodes felt large to me, the specialist reassured me that everything was normal, but being quite slim they are just more noticable. Since then I am more aware of when my nodes swell and noticed it happens quite regularly. It's not something I ever noticed before but since my attention has been drawn to that area once, I'm always checking them. In fact,  I'm back here on these chats because of another lymph node related worry, which I'm sure is still nothing. 

I hope they check everything over properly for you and that you're reassured! 

Hi, I had issues with raised lymph nodes about two years ago. Went through the ultrasound process. Yes I’m sure they will scan everywhere you’re concerned about it you ask. My nodes were reactive (ie swollen as a result of infection and just hadn’t gone back down). Two years on, one has gone down and the others remain but have recently shrunk. The key is not to keep touching them!

The anxiety is very real and totally stops you in your tracks. No one here can tell you why you have enlarged lymph nodes I’m afraid, so nothing anyone says is really any reassurance. I’ve since had CBT for health anxiety and found it very useful. 

In the very worst case scenario, know that lymphoma is generally a very treatable cancer and associated with good outcomes. Of course any cancer diagnosis is difficult, but have faith that you can handle whatever happens next, be it good or bad. Living with uncertainty causes a lot of anxiety, but that gets easier if you believe you will cope regardless of what life throws at you. Chances are, you simply have reactive nodes that have popped up just to give you a fright, but take a deep breath and remember that you can do this.

Wishing you the very best, fingers crossed for a good outcome xxx

I promised myself I’d write back here once I’d had my ultrasound scan, regardless of the outcome. So I went along today, and they did a thorough check of the concerning lymph nodes in my neck, even checking one just in front of my ear when I asked if they could, which was very kind of them. The dr examining me told me that all the lymph nodes were benign, small, and not any cause for concern. This gave me great relief, however she then asked me if I ever have a sensation of something being in my throat when I swallow. In fact I do - I’d put it down to perhaps a tonsil stone type thing, as I’ve suffered with those before. She said it could well be this, but she could see a definite lump at the back of my throat that she wouldn’t ordinarily expect to see.

She’s referred me to ENT for them to check it but reassured me that it was nothing sinister and likely a cyst or tonsil stone. Of course now my mind goes to the worst! 

I guess I’m just wanting some support or reassurance, that I CAN listen to the professionals and she wouldn’t tell me “there is nothing to worry about, this is a non urgent check” if she had any concerns about said lump being cancerous. It’s all just such a worry and I wondered if anybody had had a similar scenario happen to them. 

TIA x