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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 SP77

     

    Hi SP77,

    I am so sorry to hear that this is how your results were given to you. Waiting for a month after that to get an appointment is not really acceptable. This is a long time to wait to ask pertinent questions. It is always a good idea to draw up a list of questions before every appointment. This way you don't forget any important questions. It is also a good idea to take someone with you to all of your appointments if you can.

    Try to distract yourself from the wait by keeping busy and do your best to stay away from Google.

    Please let us know how you get on on 2nd May. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Rach86

     

    Hi Rach,

    I'm sorry to hear that you are still worrying about your lymph nodes. Did your doctor not inform you that they often swell up when you have an infection?  Some will go down and others will remain up for quite a while. I hope that your antibiotics have the desired effect on your throat and, that the swelling in your lymph nodes will go down accordingly.

    If they are still up when you finish your antibiotics, go back to your GP again for a referral re further investigation.

    Kind regards,
    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    hi just a update doc has just rang. Its not lymphoma or cancer if throat or skin. He said there are abmormal cells but they dont know what they are so he is refering me to the soft tissue unit(sarcona). The core biopsy was a good sample so said shouldnt need anymore taking. So feel better i know still not got a answer but feeling good and staying positive. 

     

    Thanks

  • Offline in reply to nicci20


    Hi Nicci,

    I'm glad that you have heard from the doc and that you can rule out cancer or lymphoma. It is good to hear that you dont need any more biopsies.

    Did your consultant say how long you are likely to wait for an appointment at the soft tissue unit? I hope that you don't have to long to wait andthat they'll be able to finally give you a diagnosis. Don't forget to keep us updated when you find out. We are always here for you.

    Knd regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    thank you so much i have found this group so helpful and supportive. He said if havent heard by next week get in touch with him and he will chase it. It is a weight of my mind just want to know what next. 

    Will keep you updated once i hear or know anymire thank yoh once again jolamine. 

    My wedding shoes came today to. Silver clouds etc

     

    Xxxx

  • Offline in reply to nicci20

     

    Hi Nicci,

    Next week sounds reassuring. I am sure that you just want to get on with it and, see exactly what you are ddealing with.

    Wow exciting times, glad you've got your wedding shoes and hope that they're nice and comfy. When is the wedding planned for?

    Look forward to getting your update.


    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    yeah just want to get sorted before wedding in august. Had a fall yesterday landed on my left side which is side lump is and shoulder is sore. Slipped on wooden floor. Big dope me.  

    Will keep you updated and you really dont understand how much your support and words/advice have helped me these last few weeks. Xx thank you again xxx

  • Offline in reply to nicci20

     

    Hi Nicci,

    I know that there is never a good time to go through something like this, but it's certainly not what any one of us would expect when planning their wedding.

    It's so easy to slip on a wooden floor. Sorry to hear that you are sore on the same side as your lump. Did you hit your breast too, or was it more your shoulder?

    I am glad to hear that you have found my support, words/advice helpful during the past few weeks. Remember that we are still here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    my lump is in my neck which i twisted when i fell but my neck and shoulder are sore more so now coz of fall. I’m abit stiff to.  But i’ll be ok just takkng pain killers and been putting hot water bottle on it. Clumsey me. Xxx

  • Offline in reply to nicci20

     

    Hi Nicci,

    These things always happen when you could best do without them.

    Hope the additional stiffness and pain settle down soon.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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