Hi Holly

I think you said you've had it for a month. I know that might seem a long time to you, but plenty of people who don't have lymphoma have nodes that remain swollen for much longer.  A node may remain swollen for a few weeks AFTER the triggering infection has been cleared, and sometimes a node remains permanently swollen and never properly settles down back to its original size.  So, one month is not particularly unusual, nor is it anything to be overly concerned about. Please try not to worry too much. 

Hi all,

I am honestly so glad I’ve found this post! I too found a slightly swollen ‘pea sized’ lump in my neck. I found this before Christmas 2018 and didn’t think too much of it at first as I thought it may be a cyst or something and that it would go on it’s own. I had been ill for a few weeks around Christmas time with losing my voice, colds and flu like symptoms. The lump had been there for about a month so in January 2019 I started to google what it could be and began to really worry myself to the point that I wasn’t able to sleep or concentrate at home or in work. I went to the doctors on the 24th January and my doctor examined my neck to check all of my lymph nodes, he actually couldn’t feel the lymph node that was enlarged. He said that the routine examination that he carried out did not show that anything was abnormal. I showed him where the lump was and he said that it does feel like a lymph node that’s swollen/enlarged, however, this is normally because of illness or an infection and is nothing to worry about. He asked whether I’ve had any other symptoms such as, weight loss, other lumps or night sweats, to which my response was no. He also asked whether it has grown in size, which it hasn’t. He said that because I am of quite a slim build, that quite often, the lymph nodes can be felt. He even pointed out that he could even feel some of his and this was quite normal. His advice to me was not to worry, the size of it was not big enough to warrant further tests and that it’s very rare for one swollen lymph node to be the cause of anything sinister. It’s been over a month since I went to the doctors and I do still have days where I worry, as like everyone else has mentioned, it’s somerhing that we unfortunately do naturally. As he could tell that I am a worrier, he told me to set a reminder in my phone for three months time and to come back if it has not gone or has gotten bigger so that they can re-examine it just to be on the safe side. I think it has reduced in size slightly, but I can’t be sure. But it hasn’t got bigger, so that’s a good sign. This post has really helped calm my nerves and it’s very reassuring to hear all of your positive results, so thank you so much!  I hope my post also helps someone else who may be in a similar situation. 

Hello

I'm so worried and so anxious because of my lymph node at the bottom of my neck.. I have it now for 5 years. It didn't cause any problems I saw doctor twice 5 years ago and he said it is still small, movable and soft and I shouldn't worry. 

And I didn't until now. Since Christmas I have terrible pain in ma shoulder and hand on the same side as my lymph node. I had lots of stress before, I saw my GP 4 times and he finally refer me for chest and shoulder x Ray which I had last week. Still waiting for results.

I'm so stress worried, I can sleep I feel sick all day long. To be honest I don't have any other symptoms of lymphoma but my anxiety become so huge. I read Google and I think 90% I have cancer.

My family thinks my pain is from stress ... And because I had this lymph node for 5 years already.. Think the same size around 1cm I shouldn't worry but I can't. 

All I have in my head is cancer and leaving my 2 year old son. May someone say what you think. Possible to have lymphoma for 5 years without other symptoms? And even be pregnant and deliver healthy baby? What do you think?

Caroline 

Hi Caroline. Welcome to the forum.

I should start out by saying that I'm not a doctor. 

Lymph nodes swell up normally in response to infection, and don't always shrink back down again once the infection is cleared, so while your swollen node isn't common, it does happen. It was evaluated by your GP five years ago, and you have no other lymphoma symptoms, so I think it's most likely that your family is correct and this is nothing to worry about.

That leaves the shoulder/hand pain. It could well be caused by some form of trauma and it's just coincidence that it's on the same side as the swollen lymph node, but almost certainaly not connected to it in any way. 

I know it's easy for me to say, but please try to calm your fears and stop worrying. 

Hi everyone,

I've been reading the thread after a trip to my GP this morning and am now getting myself in a tizzy!

I am 35 and only went to the GP as I have been having some pain in the right side of my neck. Just like a normal muscular pain it hurt when I turn my head to the right, some days more than others but it's pretty much always there over the last month or so. I also noticed quite a large swelling above my collar bone which I assumed was some sort of "fat pad" as I'm quite overweight   It really is quite large, visible by naked eye above my right collar bone. I wouldn't describe it as a lump, but it is quite hard. The GP noticed it straight away when he looked at my neck and said to have it scanned and have my Thyroid tested. They were running very late so I didn't feel I had a chance to ask questions so naturally I Googled swelling above collarbone and now I find myself here in a panic. 

He asked if I have had night sweats, fevers etc but I haven't. Aside from some fatigue I feel like my normal self. He did also ask if I had a sore throat, I don't now but I did a few weeks ago  Is this pertinent? He gave me Amoxiciilin to take for a week and said to wait and hear from the hospital. I'm just very confused as I don't know what I am waiting for or if I should be all in a flap? My little boy has swollen glands in his neck and they're also visible (palpable and soft) this is normal for him. I wouldn't say my collar bone issue even felt remotely similar.

I'd appreciate any advice or insight... I'm deeply confused. Thank you!

Hi Littleoldme. Welcome to the forum.

The very first thing I want to say is DON'T PANIC!

The second is a standard caveat that I'm not a doctor, just someone who hangs around here for the company. 

The symptoms you have mentioned (including the sore throat) are frequently caused by an infection.  If it's bacterial, the Amoxicillin should take care of it. If it's viral then it will go when it's ready. Lymph nodes swell when they're fighting an infection, and can remain swollen for several weeks afterwards; sometimes they never return to normal but remain a harmless reminder of the work they've done.  So having a swollen lymph node and feeling generally grotty are really just part of the human condition.

However, there is a small risk that your lymph node could be the start of lymphoma.  It's unlikely because lymphoma isn't particularly common, and you don't have the classic symptom of night sweats. But your GP would be failing in his duty if he didn't refer you for an ultrasound and the other tests you mentioned. Your GP is really just covering all the bases and making sure that this unlikely prospect is eliminated. 

I know it's difficult, but please try not to worry.

Thanks so much for your response :)​​​​​​

I suppose my confusion was mostly that number 1, it really doesn't seem like a lymph node to me, if it is its massive and number 2 why after looking at that on my collar bone and without even touching my neck he jumped straight to thyroid. I was baffled but had my son in tow and he was monkeying around and the Dr was running late and we did feel a bit rushed...I wish I had asked now! My sore throat has been gone for around 3 weeks, but it was quite a nasty one. The neck pain just feels muslular, like when you've slept at a funny angle.

He didn't give any indication how long I will wait for a scan so I suppose in the mean time I shall just carry on. I have blood tests booked for Wednesday  I don't suppose there is much sense worrying until I know I have something to worry about  Thank you again :) 

Hi Littleoldme,

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear about the worry you're having with your lymph nodes. Like Telemando, I  am not a doctor either, but he has given you a pretty accurate account of how the nodes work and why they swell.

I am glad to hear that your GP has referred you to the clinic. I wouldn't expect that you'll wait too long to be seen, possibly a couple of weeks. I hope that, when you do get there, they will be able to do the necessary tests and, that they will not find anything untoward.

Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Holly,

Have you had any results back yet?

Kind regards.

Jolamine xx