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Getting concerned about my swollen lymph nodes but still no answers - should I be pushing for further investigation and tests?

LoopyJuice
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Long one so bare with me please:) 

Hi all, about a year ago I started having migraines and ear ache on a daily basis, I've been waiting for an ent appointment since September with no luck  since then it just seems more and more symptoms have been popping up, about 8 months ago I noticed the lymph nodes in my neck were always inflamed, bloodwork came back normal but I had an US anyway in which they weren't concerned because they weren't "big enough to be concerning". In the last year I've been on and off with illnesses which isn't normal for me.

Anywho.. Since early January (2026) I was getting pains in sort of my kidney area which I admit I did ignore because I thought I wasn't drinking enough until roughly 3 weeks ago when the pains came more consistent so I did go doctors who prescribed antibiotics for a UTI. At the same time the pains became more frequent I noticed a purple spotty rash across my abdomen and upper thighs which has been coming and going since then.

This last week and half where the rash is across my stomach it has become painful and tender under the skin. I did go for blood works yesterday which has once again come back normal, but I still don't feel okay within myself. 

I have also found a hard lymph node in my right side groin area with a small ball bearing size lump next to it, I did inform the doctor yesterday who said to watch and wait a month and if it's still there to come back for further investigation.

I could be spiralling with worry at this point but I'm sure all of what I've been experiencing this last 12 months is all linked together, I've heard that cancer doesn't necessarily show up in blood work, I'm trying not to assume the worst but since I have enlarged lymph nodes in my neck already and have recently discovered the one in my groin it's hard not to assume.

Should I be pushing for further investigation and tests? 

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    Hi LoopyJuice, 

    Poor you - having to deal with migraines and ear aches for the past year on a daily basis can't have been easy and it's a long time that you have been waiting for an ENT appointment and it sounds like you have experienced more and more symptoms and you did well to flag the fact that your lymph nodes were always inflamed. It's reassuring that the blood works came back normal though and the ultrasound wasn't concerning but you did well to keep informing the doctor of any new developments you noticed - make sure you also tell them about that purple spotty rash if you haven't done so already and the pain and tenderness under your skin where the rash is. 

    I think it might be worth going back to the doctor's or getting another opinion  especially as you are not feeling reassured and I think it is important that you are able to voice your concerns to the medical experts and let them know how you are feeling, that you think that all these issues you have been experiencing for the last 12 months might all be linked together. Try though not to assume or anticipate the worst as there are other conditions that could be causing these issues and the important thing is that you get to the bottom of what it might be and get a definite diagnosis. So I would suggest you bring up all your worries and concerns when you next talk to a doctor and you could ask whether there are any further investigations or tests that they think you should be having. 

    I hope that you manage to talk to someone soon and that you get some answers and also a proper resolution to these issues. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Just thought I'd give an update for what's happened over the last month.

    So I went back to the GP still suffering hip and flank pains and the GP has referred me for an ultrasound and transvaginal scan as she suspects my symptoms could be pointing towards ovarian cancer, I have that scan in 2 weeks.

    But also I finally got my ent appointment which was yesterday and they said my ear/hearing is fine but with the headaches I've been suffering, hearing loss and tremors in my hands, they want me to have an MRI scan which she said would come in a few weeks time because she wants to rule out a brain tumor or cancers...well I just had a phone call and my MRI is this saturday, she had initially told me  not to worry or be stressed about brain tumors or cancers etc but given how quick this appointment has come through it sounds like they might suspect it

    Now I have been worried anyway over the last year about the pain in my head it being more sinister, but it's becoming real now, having doctors suspect it and how quick this MRI is happening, ofcourse I'm starting to spiral a little bit haha.

    So there's a chance April could be the month I find out I have not one but two forms of cancer....if I don't laugh I'll cry

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