Hey, how did the econsult go? 

Hi, I have a docs appointment tomorrow (Wednesday)

are you in a similar situation? 

I found a similar lump behind my left ear a few days ago. Am trying to tell myself it's a shotty lymph node but the stress of the anxiety is causing me to spiral. Anxiety presents itself in a lot of ways and head pain/headaches is what i suffer from the most, the shooting headpain in one spot is an ice pick headache and they absolutely suck. I get them a lot now and eye twitches. Had an mri for tinnitus and everything normal. Does the shooting pain tend to happen in your temples? Normally a stress sign, pressure from teeth grinding etc. 

The lump I have is behind my left ear, solid, immovable, painless and pea sized. Does that sound like yours? There are 2 lymph nodes behind the ears called posterior auricular. A shotty lymph node will feel like a shotgun pellet under the skin, hence the name. They can swell due to a cryptic infection, or can be a delayed response to a previous illness. I know of course it doesn't help the worry, I have health anxiety so logically I know its just a lymph node, but my mental state is spiralling so I completely understand. Update when you see the drs tomorrow! I'll be doing my econsult Thursday morning 

Hey Tessa 

wow sounds exactly like mine!!!!  Tbh I don’t get much anxiety these days, I have learned and taught myself to ignore it and always remain calm, so don’t believe my shooting pains are to do with stress.. also not in the temples it’s on the side of my head though not too far from where the lump is.  Have been experiencing that for about a month but on and off so have ignored it up until now (but now I am like is this a coincidence or is it related to this lump!)

well I am hoping and praying it’s a shotty lymph node then as at the moment I’ve been worrying that it’s a malignant lymph or the start of a bone mass like osteosarcoma.  I am usually good these days with health anxiety but this one has come up and bitten me in the a**.  I think it’s because anywhere you look, a rock solid immobile lump is sinister so my rational mind isn’t able to come up with any other excuses for it to be benign. 

Let me know how you get on on Thursday, I will update you tomorrow, although don’t hold much hope for what the GP will say, suspect they will say let’s wait and see in few weeks if it’s still there! 

Feeling sick with worry or stress can cause other symptoms. I get ice pick headaches all over my head but mainly on the side I have tinnitus, yet I've had a full head mri last year for it and it was completely clear. Headaches can happen for so many reasons.

Thats exactly what I said! Immovable, hard, painless... everything you don't want a lump to be. However I admit, I've been on tiktok and reddit all day about this and I've seen so many lumps in the exact same area from so many people, ever single one turned out to be clear. Just a swollen lymph node. The constant prodding will cause swelling too. 

Sadly I feel that they will say its a lymph node and to come back if it gets bigger, isn't helpful really. I'd be prodding it all day everyday forever. I really hope you are given clear positive advice tomorrow. I'm sure you will be, have to keep remembering that nearly all lumps are harmless, which is what the NHS says. You've got this!

Hi I have a tingling in my head and arm and leg also have been sick and walking makes me dizzy. I’m absolutely petrified it’s a brain tumour and have took myself down a rabbit hole with google also got ringing in my ear. I know this is a tumour. I went o the doctor and she just told me to point at her fingers that were moving follow her pen with my eyes lift my legs and lift my arms. Then said no you havnt got a brain tumour how can that be a diagnosis. My blood pressure is through the roof and she’s gave me anti depressants. Sorry I’m just so scared

I am sorry you're feeling so scared, I will always say drs first, push for an mri for peace of mind. However, this is just my experience, I've had all these symptoms at once... the tingling in head and limbs, ringing in ear (which is permenant now), dizziness. All signs of stress and anxiety. I had the mri done, all clear, I saw an audiologist for the tinnitus, no known cause (which is common with tinnitus). That was all a year ago, I still get all these things, it's mainly linked to my anxiety disorder. I get ice pick headaches now, pressure headaches. Pins and needles, my ear rings all day everyday. I too thought it was a brain tumour, but scans are clear and it's been over a year now. I saw something recently that said "do you ever get random pains and sensations all over your body? That's because your body is extremely noisy, it's busy and working hard 24/7 to keep everything working. Most people just aren't aware of it because their not paying attention, but those who become hyper aware of their body, will notice everything" your body is a noisy thing, random pains and sensations happen all the time. As someone with health anxiety, I would push for further testing to give yourself peace of mind. But honestly, it sounds exactly what I had. Even now, I'm aware of a band of pressure around my skull and a twitching eye, only because I'm now aware of it.  

Thankyou so much for your kind reply. We sound so similar. I just Google everything and it’s all bad. When I’m doing things I don’t feel so bad. I guess because I’m not thinking about it all. I’m on antidepressants now but only started today and apparently they take six weeks to work. I’m also going to doctors tomorrow about my ears and balance. My blood pressure is through the roof. So have to give readings tomorrow. Maybe the blood pressure is causing symptoms but dr Google says no. Dr Google says brain tumour or Multiple Sclerosis. Oh my I’m scared. 

Sorry, has been hectic…. Doc said “it’s a reactive lymph node” and sent me on my way!  so wasn’t shocked tbh, as was expecting to be told I am worrying about nothing.

BUT I am not happy with that, so am going to wait a week or 2 more and then have another docs appointment (requesting a different doctor) to get a second opinion (if the lump is still there).