Hi everyone, 

I hope it’s okay to post here. I just came across this thread and found it reassuring (if that’s the right word) to see that I’m not alone going through all of these tests and emotions. I am a young mum of 2 (5 and 2) and am so scared regarding my symptoms, especially as they have been going on for so long and now I also have a lump on the left side of my neck under my ear. Does anyone have a number of other symptoms other than the lump? I have had chest & back pain since Oct, I’ve had bowel issues, have been spitting blood, have numbness & tingling on the left side of my face & in my left arm and leg and pain along my shins as well as tinnitus, and now this lump has appeared (again on the left) I’m going crazy with worry. My symptoms are so far ranging it’s been hard to get a diagnosis. I had a neck Mri a few weeks ago which was clear but now I’m petrified because of the lymph node. I hope everyone has positive news regarding their upcoming tests and results, such a stressful time xxxx 

Hi Young Mum, 

I probably won’t be much help (as I am super anxious about it all too) but I didn’t want to scroll past and not reply! Those symptoms sound like a nightmare for you, and I have the same with regards to chest and back pain (the back pain being directly behind the area of my chest) but no spitting blood. It may be wise to get that checked out as there can be various reasons for that happening 

I’m not experienced medically but hopefully a clear MRI so recently would have picked up anything untoward and I hope that’s been able to calm your anxieties a little!! Lymph nodes can swell for so many different reasons, most people I’ve read about are told to watch and wait for a couple of weeks to see if it goes back down as it may be some sort of infection that your body is reacting to? 

Theres never ever any harm in going back to the docs as it is a new symptom and hopefully they can put your mind at ease by examining your neck! And an onward referral if that is needed. 

Waiting for an outcome is the hardest part. There’s nothing worse than the fear of the unknown but this thread I find is really helpful as most stories have had positive outcomes! However, lumps and bumps are always worrying and it’s impossible not to let your mind go 100 miles an hour with what ifs! 

Let us know how you get on if you follow up with the doctors re: neck lump! 

Best wishes and there are lots of people to support you (probably with more useful advice than me) xxx

Hi Scotland0194,

Thanks so much for your reply. Yes the mri is reassuring and I was beginning to feel like maybe all these symptoms could be from a crazy virus or something but now I have the lump and I’m still getting leg and arm pain, I’m just a bag of nerves. They thought the blood was from the ulcer they found when they scooped me, but no sign of it on mri and now they can’t find it again! Going away the weekend so the kids will hopefully take my mind off things then going to see the ENT consultant next Friday so hopefully will be sent for more tests. Hope all is okay with you, do you have any tests coming up? Xxx

I totally understand! No matter what tests say, if symptoms persist then so does the anxiety around them... I am the exact same! 

Did they say what they thought it was since it wasn’t from the ulcer?! It’s horrible when you leave without answers. 

That’s good that you have an appointment with ENT, hopefully they’ll be able to give you more information! :) 

i have an ultrasound next Wednesday. I was referred by my GP but I have decided to go privately as I am so anxious and the waiting list I was on for NHS ultrasound was months long (I think I would’ve driven myself nuts waiting) and I’m lucky that my family have helped out with payment!  I’ve got a swelling at my thyroid that’s been there for weeks, along with bowel problems, fatigue, chest pain and breathlessness. All bloods have been normal and so doc thought next step would be the ultrasound as she couldn’t be sure what was going on with my neck. Of course I’ve taken myself on to google... big mistake lol. 

Hope you have a lovely weekend!! You deserve it, let your mind and body relax and get some rest (if you can with little kiddies)! Xxx

I hope the ultrasound goes well for you, is this the first test that you’ve had? How long have you had your symptoms for? I too have gone private as the nearest appointment I could get on the nhs was June 11th! So am happy to pay to see consultant next Friday instead. I was on the usc pathway but as my abdominal ct and neck mri came back clear I was taken off it. Although now this lump has appeared who knows, perhaps they’ll put me back on. Such a stressful time, it’s nice to speak to people going through the same thing as they know how you feel. Please keep me updated with your results xxxx

Yes this is the first test I’ve had for my neck! I’ve had this swelling for quite a while and I had been ignoring it until I started getting my bowel symptoms and fatigue. The waiting lists are a nightmare, especially with being so anxious. 

Sorry I’m hopeless I am not aware of what usc stands for!  It is really nice to be able to share any worries/concerns and get advice and reassurance, as my GP certainly isn’t great in the reassurance department lol. 

Hope you’re feeling a bit better today xxx

I am doing the same from 4 days

Hi Lilabelle,

I am glad to hear that your GP has now referred you to ENT and, hope that you won't have too long to wait before you get an appointment. Hopefully they will be able to trace the source of inflammation and nothing untoward will be found.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx