Hi Sunshine,

You can certainly still see your GP despite the current Covid situation. It is up to your GP to decide whether or not this is necessary. You see adverts on the television telling us not to ignore any possible signs of cancer and advising us that our GPs are there still for this type of situation. I suspect that the fact that you are still on antibiotics for a middle ear infection, may cause your doctor to advise you to wait a little longer. Tell her that you have had enough of 'wait and see' and now want some investigation.

The swelling of  some of your lymph nodes may well be due to your current ear infection, but you've not had this infection for 2 years I expect, so the earlier ones still need to be checked out.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

Yes she told me that the lymph nodes under my jaw were normal with my symptoms when I called a few weeks ago. She didn't call me back today so I'm hoping to get it sorted tomorrow, but I can't help but worry profusely that this is something sinister. But surely if it were cancer, then I would have had more symptoms by now and they would have come on gradually throughout the two years? I am definitely going to try and get a physical appointment - even just to put my mind at ease.

Take care xx

Hi Sunshine,

I'm sorry to hear that your GP didn't call you back today. Don't be afraid to tell her how anxious you feel and, what you suspect it might be.

Cancer doesn't always show symptoms. There are also a number of different types of cancer. Some grow very aggressively, whilst others are slower to grow. Like you, I would expect that, if it were cancer, it might have grown a little in the two years, but, if it were my body, I would still want to check it out.

I don't want to scare you and, I sincerely hope that it is nothing untoward, but better sure than sorry.

Good luck with your GP.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi everyone,

So I finished my antibiotics and I haven't been feeling any better so I rang a different GP at my practise and he's sending me for a blood test as he thinks it might be glandular fever that would explain my symptoms (toredmess, swollen glands, sore throat, etc.) so I'll keep you posted. 
 

Take care all xx

Hello everyone, 

I just wanted to update you all, I first posted in this thread around a year ago concerning a large swollen lymph node in my neck (it's one cervical lymph node that is around 4cm now).

Long story short I am still none the wiser as to what is causing it. But thankfully they have told me it is not cancer!!!!!!!!

The waiting times have been ridiculous! I mentioned previously I had an ENT appointment about my lymph node - this took ages to get and was booked far in advanced so meant further waiting. The Ent sent me for an ultrasound - which took even longer to get an appointment for. My first ENT appointment was in Sept 2019 (I found the lump in June 2019) and then the ultrasound was in January 2020 - a ridiculously long wait. At the ultrasound they did tell me it looked unsuspicious but my official appointment about the results was not until a week ago!!!!  I had a telephone consultation due to the current circumstances and it was a different ENT doctor than the one I first saw, I was so glad as the previous one was rude and unhelpful. This new doctor was happy to tell me it was a reactive lymph node in my neck and he was sure if was not cancer but was concerned as it is rather large (almost 4cm) and had been like that for a year.

The new ENT told me he'd book me in for an urgent consultation to try and find out what it is, this was all last week and I have been waiting for the letter appointment confirmation. However the same ENT has since rang me back today to say that the next urgent appointment was months away! He was not happy by this as he understands how long I have been waiting. What he is going to do about it is refer me as a priority by referring me as suspected cancer, so that I get seen quicker. He does not think, at all, that I have cancer as the lymph node was clearly reactive but he wants me seen within two weeks as it's been so long and that is the only way to get past the long waiting times. I think he is concerned by the lymph node and just wants to know what has caused it to become so big.

I am so glad that this is being taken seriously!!!! I will post here once again when I do have results but I may be silent for some time. I hope you are all well!

For those who may be in a similar situation and had not read my previous posts in this thread: I have had this 4cm enlarged lymph node since June 2019 with no change. I have no symptoms relating to cancer or infection, I do however have symptoms of an autoimmune disease - fatigue and painful joints. I also sweat a lot in the day while walking or when changing location - if I go from somewhere hot to somewhere cold quickly (I thought this may be my thyroid), no sweating at night however. I have been tested and am still being tested for an autoimmune condition by rheumatologists but I have since been dropped by them as I missed ONE appointment (there are reasons why). Their working diagnosed was an undifferentiated connective tissue disease as my blood test was ana positive. I also have celiac disease - another autoimmune disease which may make you more likely to have another. I have a feeling my lymph node may be to do with all of that, so I am going to focus on the lymph node at present. I will have to contact the rheumatologist again soon but I can't deal with that alongside the lymph node as having too many appointment can get me really stressed out. Also as a note, I am 24 years old, so I should be fit and healthy but obviously there is something wrong.

Hi Sunshine,

Thank you for your update. I'm glad to hear that you had a more helpful GP this time and, that he has sent you for blood tests. If it is Glandular Fever, this would certainly be preferable to any form of cancer.

Do please keep us posted.

Fingers crossed for a good result.

Kind regards,

Jolamimne xx

Hi Buffytvs,

Many thanks for your update. I am so sorry to hear that you are no further forward after all this time. It sounds as if this new ENT doctor wants some answers. I'm sure that with the long wait you've had, you'll be quite happy to have an emergency appointment, even though your doctor doesn't really feel that you need one.  you must feel quite relieved that you have at long last found someone who wants to expedite matters for you.

I sincerely hope that you get some answers soon. Don't forget to keep us posted.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi!

I've had my blood work back and everything has come back completely normal. So my glands are probably swollen from an infection I've had previously and haven't gone down. 
Is this reassuring news?

Hope everyone is doing well xx

Hi Sunshine,

This does sound like reassuring news. Do I take it that there was no sign of glandular fever either? Some people find that their nodes never settle after an infection but remain swollen. Despite this they are not cancerous and don't seem to cause any further bother. If however, you notice any further changes, don't hesitate to see your GP again.

I am so glad to hear that it was good news for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx