Hi folks,

Wondering what you make of my symptoms.... so just after Christmas there (December 2024) I felt a tad under the weather. My little 18 month old had a cold so I thought I'm probably catching that and took my temperature. It was slightly raised - 37.3 or so, so thought nothing more about it other than to take paracetamol and ride out the cold. However no cold came and my fever has stayed. Every day since then I wake up with a normal temperature and it rises steadily throughout the day. It can peak at 37.5 to 37.7 by dinner time then it will revert back to normal at night. I have no night sweats. My normal temperature is always around 36.6 or so.

After experiencing this for a few weeks I turned to Google. Google suggested checking for enlarged lymph nodes. This I did and found one enlarged on each side of my groin - small under 1cm and moveable. I went for a blood test at the GP (who was quite dismissive) and organised a private pelvic ultrasound scan. Both bloods and scan came back clear (with the exception of low vitamin D on bloods - now on supplements) They also scanned the nodes at the scan and the sonographer said these did not look malignant in the slightest. I went away feeling quite reassured.

However everything persisted and in February I decided to make an appointment with a virtual GP through Bupa. On speaking to them she shared my concerns this was not normal and referred me to haematology. I got an appointment in March and had a physical examination. There the consultant found I had small firm nodes in my right supraclavicular fossa and also found the inguinal (groin) nodes. He said he suspected the lymph nodes to simply be reactive but was unable to explain the low grade fever and so requested a CT Scan and more bloods.

In between times I did some of my own digging. I did various blood tests through Medichecks - thyroid including antibodies, hormones incase of perimenopause (I have just turned 40), cortisol incase this is all caused by stress and various inflammatory markers. All totally normal apart from very low in ferritin (iron). Not anemia - red blood cells fine. I have really heavy periods after giving birth 18 months ago so putting it down to that. So after that result now also on iron tablets and B12.

Next CT scan - went for this at the start of April and this was the outcome -In the neck, there are a few shotty lymph nodes seen particularly on the right side. These are not significant by size criteria. Similarly few small bilateral axillary (armpit) lymph nodes are also noted, again not significant by size criteria. No significant axillary, mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. Minor atelectatic changes in the lungs. Allowing for this, the lungs are clear.
In the abdomen, the liver, gallbladder and biliary tree are satisfactory. Similarly, the spleen, pancreas, both kidneys and adrenal glands are unremarkable. No significant intra-abdominal or pelvic lymphadenopathy is seen.

I was short of breath for a few weeks on and off. Put this down to vaping which I have done for 9 years. This may explain the minor atelectatic lung changes at the time. I stopped fully after reading this and have now been nicotine free for a week, Breathlessness has now gone. I asked the consultant what these changes were and he brushed it off as nothing,

Consultant's letter to GP stated "small reactive nodes in right neck probably due to her sensitive skin and recurrent rashes ( I suffer from on and off eczema). She did report one week without any temperatures. That week however was the exception and temperatures up to almost 38 degrees have been noted. I discussed possible lymph node biopsy but our interventional radiologist felt that this would not deliver an adequate sample for analysis. I have explained that she is a most unusual case. She looks extremely well so I would propose a simple plan of watch and wait. If her temperatures do not settle then I can see no alternative but to proceed to surgical lymph node excision."

What on earth is wrong with me? I am getting no answers and I have a small toddler who I need to be here for.

Could it be psychogenic fever? Can lymph nodes respond due to stress? I remember when my first husband and I separated 10 years ago my armpit (auxillary) nodes all swelled up along with my skin and my immune system tanked. I didn't have a fever though I don't feel stressed as such but becoming a mum and having a toddler is obviously not an easy task. There have also been several emotionally stressful events in the family over the last year. I have noticed over the last 6 months or so I am having early morning waking insomnia which I have had before during emotionally stressful times so maybe I am - especially with all this going on too in the background. 

I am petrified of the suggestion of surgery to remove the supraclavicular nodes as there are so many nerves there. I don't want to have to put my body though the risk of this is they are in fact just reactive.

Any insight, experiences or next steps I can take to find out what's going on would be appreciated. Many thanks.