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enlarged lymph nodes - worried!

SunshineEm
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Hi all! Sorry if this is slightly long to read.

I'm 21, and female. In november, I noticed one of my lymph nodes in my neck was enlarged, without any other signs of illness. Shortly after my groin swelled up, and then I noticed another in my neck was enlarged too. The groin 'swelling' seemed to go down, I occasionally worried about the ones in my neck, but didn't do anything about it. Since november, I have been getting increasingly tired, however this comes and goes. Some days I am fine, other days I am exhausted, and it is completely unrelated to how much sleep i've got! One in particular on my neck seemed to be growing larger, and I then noticed I could actually still feel the one in my groin. I've also seemed to have slightly tender side of my breast, on one particular side, which comes and goes too. I don't know if this is related.

I finally went to my GP on monday, and she examined me and found some more  - another in my neck, one above my collar bone, and another in the other side of my groin. So in total I have 6, that I know of. I'm also convinced another one has swelled up in my armpit since I saw her, but I don't know if this is stress related? The day it felt swollen, the side of my breast on that side was also tender to touch (the opposite to where it has previously been sore). I've also seemed to have developed a 'tight chest' feeling and a chesty cough when I breathe in deeply since seeing her, after she pressed down on my stomach and told me to inhale/exhale, but then again, maybe its always been there/ is stress related? I'm just noticing it now?
I had a chest x-ray this morning, have a CT scan on my neck in just under 2 weeks, and blood tests in about 3 weeks. I feel a bit confused to be honest, I know they're testing 'to rule out' cancer, but what does this actually mean? a specific type of cancer? any cancer? I don't really understand the stages of diagnosis, and how likely really is this to be cancer? I don't think I've had any significant weight loss, and I definitely have not had night sweats to the point I've drenched the sheets, i've woken up hotter than usual some nights but that could be a whole range of things.

 I know lymphoma can cause enlarged lymph nodes - does anyone know if 6 palpable nodes is a bad sign? The one in my neck that I had originally noticed seems to feel quite hard and doesn't move, but my GP did say the ones in my groin area are movable and so that is more 'promising'. I'm trying to stay positive but the worry is really eating away at me, at a time where i'm trying to write my university dissertation too!

Any kind of insight/opinion would be really helpful/appreciated, its driving me crazy!

 

EDIT: I also had glandular fever 2 years ago, so we know it isn't this. 

 

  • Offline in reply to Halfcent

    Hi Halfcent.

    The extra CT scan is simply a wise precaution. It's like taking your car to the garage to have one brake lining changed.  A good garage will check the other three wheels, just to be sure. 

  • Offline in reply to Halfcent

    Thinking of you halfcent hope all goes well for you xx 

  • Offline in reply to Halfcent
    Hi Halfcent, The CT scan is often used to rule out any spread to other parts of the body, hence the full torso scan. It seems that your consultant is being thorough, but better that than ignoring/missing any metastases if present. I am sorry to hear that you have had some sleepless nights worrying about this. I don't think that it matters how strong you are. even the strongest amongst us tends to find their emotions all over the place. You will not find that your emotions settle until you have a full diagnosis and start getting treatment. I see that it has been 10 days since your last post. Have you had an appointment for your tonsillectomy yet? I sincerely hope that it all goes well for you. . Kind regards, Jolamine xx
  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi all,

    After reading a few posts I'm wanting to comment for some reassurance and postivity!

    I am very laidback but lately a few symptoms have been niggling me more often than not.

    I am 27 years old, with only a history of glandular fever as a teenager. I suffered with night sweats over a year or so ago which I shrugged off due to stress with a new job. However, my night sweats have returned which are now drenching me in my sleep, I don't have any current stress but have also felt extremely fatigued the past few months. I wake up very groggy and find myself craving sleep, I am an early riser and am finding it impossible to pull myself out of bed.

    On top of this my preauricular lymph node (next to my ear) has become hard and painful to touch along with a series of pain in my jaw, neck and shoulders. I've also developed a rash on my back. I've just got a general unwell feeling if that makes sense? One other odd symptom I have at present is the pain in my abdomen when  I pass urine, which I am struggling to pass when I feel at bursting point - ive had water infections in the past but this is a different feeling.

    I try not to worry and google symptoms, its only after speaking with a colleague that they pointed me in the direction of this forum just to see whether I should be worried or to book and see a doctor?

    Anyone's advice would be greatly appreciated, sending lots of well wishes to those awaiting results.

    Thank you :)

     

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Jolamine,

     

    I've not got a date yet but the consultant suggested it would be in the next couple of weeks. I've had another sleepless night, but got up with a slightly different mindset this morning. I'm still terribly worried and feel quite ill from it, but ready to tackle the tonsillectomy now. I need it gone!! 

    Thank you so far all of you, it so helps being on here, as much as I despise myself for writing woeful stuff and being a wimp, I think my mental being would be far worse if I didn't. I will keep you all posted. 

     

    C-Robert 1992, I feel for you, but please make an appointment to see your doctor. You will just worry and worry if you don't. You could be just run down, but best to get checked out. Come on here instead of being tempted to  google symptoms, it really doesn't help, been there done that. 

    Make that appointment today and let us know how you get on. 

  • Offline in reply to C_Robert1992

     

    Hi and a very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am not a doctor and most of us on this site are merely cancer pilgrims .

    You have been having these problems for too long and should certainly make an immediate appointment with your GP.

    I hope that all goes well, but please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine

  • Offline in reply to Halfcent

     

    Hi Halfcent,

    I am glad that you have managed to get yourself into a different mindset this morning and hope that this will stay with you for most of the time. You are bound to be worried still and will have some blips along the way, but a positive attitude makes it so much easier to deal with all that you are going through.

    I hope that all goes well with your pre-op on Monday.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    I wrote on another post last night but I’m a little worried, I have a large swelling at front of my neck (also was diagnosed with under active thyroid last year been on thyroxin and ok until dec time) I feel shatttered. However I have on occasions had a night sweat not major drenching but wet back etc. My ear on left feels full has for a month or so... the back of my neck aches so much so it’s like I have to rest my head on something is car seat headrest when driving. I’m always cold and have lost 11lbs in 11days event with eating two Sunday dinners and pork scracthings but loads of fruit. I had bloods taken which should get results Monday. 

    Im just hoping they give me some answers as I just hate the waiting to know!

  • Offline in reply to naganddog1

     

    Hi Nagandog,

    Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear that you too are having trouble with the swelling at the front of your neck.

    I sincerely hope that your results on Monday are good and, that there is a simpler explation for them. Are you bringing someone with you to your appointment? It is always a good idea to do this.  It can also help to draw up a list of questions for your consultant.

    Waiting for results is never easy, but you are nearly there now, so hang on in there.

    Let us know how you get on. Remember that we are always here for you.


    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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