Thank you for your positivity SunshineEm. I have just come back from the doctors today and I'm quite anxious. Reading this has even me some ease. I have 3 sore nodes in my groin, I got the first one 2 years ago and hoped it was a cyst. When being examined today, the Dr also found enlarged nodes in my armpits and neck. The Dr took bloods and I have been referred to a hematologist. I'm 22 and feel overwhelmed but just need to keep positive till I know more. 

Well wishes to all on the chat x x 

Hello,

i was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I have a hard lump in my neck, starting under my right ear lobe around where the jaw connects to the neck. I’d say it is about an inch in size. I noticed it 5 days ago, it was hurting then, I think because I was prodding it so much, but now there is no pain. You cannot see it but it feels very prominent and is not on the other side of my neck.

What concerns me is it’s size, how I haven’t noticed it before suggesting it has grown rapidly, and the fact it is rock solid and immovable. I would like to get it checked out but am wondering if there is any point going now, as wait times might be long and I am also worried of putting any unnecessary strain on the NHS, or whether I should just wait until this calms down. However obviously we do not know how long that will be. I am only 20 so the risks are low but I am scared. 

I also have a lump behind my left collarbone which I know from research is not good. I had a chest X-ray which showed no abnormalities in June but since then it has grown and I have (stupidly) read cases where people have still been diagnosed with cancer after clear chest x-rays. I am concerned that something is wrong, especially with this new lump in my neck. 

What do you think I should do? 

Thank you and I hope you are all safe and well in this frightening time. mabs. 

Hi Mabs,

It sounds as if you need to get this investigated. If you feel that this has grown quickly, you need to get it seen to soon. Phone your GP and ask for advice. You may need to explain your symptoms to the receptionist before she gives you a slot to have a telephone consultation with your GP.

Your GP will then decide whether you need to be seen or not. Please do not worry about putting extra strain on the NHS. It could take quite some time for this COVID 19 hype to settle down, so don't delay, get this seen to as soon as you can.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

Thanks for your reply. I finally got a doctors appointment today and much to my frustration the doctor said he couldn’t feel anything! I find this bizarre as I can feel it easily and it feels so big to me, and it’s not on the other side, and my mum could feel it too. I didn’t mention the one under my collarbone as I knew he would just say if the x Ray was clear it’s fine. I honestly don’t understand, but the doctor said there is nothing there to worry about so I’ll just have to leave it I suppose. I am still concerned so I don’t know what to do. I guess I will have to wait and try seeing a different doctor after this calms down. It is so frustrating when a doctor laughs at you about something you have been so worried about.  

Best wishes, mabs. 

Hi Mabs,

I am glad to hear that you managed to see your GP today, but am sorry that your GP didn't feel anything. This must be frustrating, when you and your mum both felt it easily. You should really have mentioned the swelling under your collarbone too. It is some time since you had your x-ray in June so, don't be fobbed off by the fact that everything seemed all right then.

As you say, you'll just hae to accept your GP's word for now, but if things worsen, make an appointment with another GP in your practice and see if they are any more helpful. Don't necessarily wait until the current crisis is over.

Here's hoping that this all turns out to be nothing too significant.

Please keep in touch an, let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

[@mabs170]‍  mabs,

hiya!

im in the same boat! I originally found a couple swollen lymph nodes in my throat in December after antibiotics and ultrasound they've been deemed reactive (although bloods confirmed no infection) however I also found one in left collarbone and one in armpit which was investigated separately and apparently normal lymph node but it feels huge to me. I accepted this was all fine and then now my left rib has been hurting well it has for a while, I did mention it to the the doctor about two months ago who said it was nothing to worry about but it gets better and worse some days and now am worrying that it's my spleen. I've been given a walk-in chest x-ray but I've not done it due to being home alone with my baby as my partner works for emergency services and is isolating at his mums due to his grandad contracting coronavirus. It's stressing me out not knowing and the fact that if it was anything sinister then the new virus could be a lot more devastating. 
Also worried about visiting hospital atm for obvious reasons.

Hopefully symptoms dissapeR for us soon!

becky x 

Hi Becky,

I completely understand your worries about going to the hospital during this time! I would go if possible, if you still have the appointment, to alleviate your worries about the lump. You don't need any extra stress at the moment, so it would help to have this checked out and hopefully be cleared. Also - hospitals will have much stricter cleaning processes than anywhere else at the moment! I am sure you will be fine but understand your worries. 

And yes - I really hope our symptoms go away soon! I am going to try and see my trusted regular doctor if this neck lump hasn't gone down in a couple of weeks, or if it has gotten bigger. Hopefully it will go away on its own before then!

Best wishes,

Mabs x 

Hi Becks, 

I have near enough the same as you, I've had a swollen node in my neck for years which I've seen the GP about numerous times, in the past year I've also had two more nodes in my neck swell and become hard and fixed (well they feel like that to me) I've had ultrasounds and ent checks and they came back to say reactive nodes (not sure what to!) 

I also get a pain under my left rib that comes and goes, my GP felt my spleen and it doesn't feel swollen.

im trying to reassure myself that I've had numerous tests and nothing suspicious has come back but it is hard to switch the worry off when you feel lumps! 
 

I know it is hard but try to feel reassured your lumps have been checked. If you still feel unsure in a few weeks I would go back to the gp or for your x ray once we are over the worst of the virus.

i know exactly how you feel though. You just want answers.x

Hi [@Farah1]‍ , 

my mum has several nodes inflamed in her neck put down as reactive nodes which started in like 2005 and then re checked in 2014 I think around those times. My fiancé can dig and find some in his neck, i think it can be quite common. i think sometimes they stay swollen after an infection.

i wish mine were all localised to my neck as the literature I've been reading on that suggests a lot better outcomes. Unfortunately mine are in my neck, collarbone and both armpits although one is a lot larger in left armpit. None of the doctors are taking me seriously at all. I've got a chest X-ray which can not rule out lymphoma to do so I'm not forcing myself when I'm alone at home with my baby to put myself in more risk. I've had ultrasounds also "reactive" and long nodes in my armpit she thinks?!??  All blood tests say no infection. 
 

I do however, need a couple fillings one that's been there a while and one I managed to do biting a frozen twix last week so hoping it is something as simple as that but my gut says otherwise. I don't have any b symptoms of lymphoma, but I've seen many people don't. Biggest node is about 1.5cm in armpit. My throat has always had quite big glands and only one submandibular node on left is tender‍♀️ Unless I wiggle them (I do lots) 

just frustrating because of the current situation diagnosis is harder to achieve yet if it is lymphoma it's on the shielding category of health conditions.. luckily my fiancé brings me my shopping and stays away but it's difficult to not worry at home all day with a 17 month old one of the doctors (locum) did suggest because of my symptoms to isolate as much as pos except medical reasons. 
 

my partner staying away as he works for fire brigade and I've previously been in icu on a ventilator and freaked out at the thought of it again so he decided to not risk it bless him. 
 

other symptoms include achy neck, sore throat on and off, pathetic cough on and off, protruding rib cage (left side) but this looks more like a muscle issue . How are you getting on ?? 
 

Becky x