Swollen lymph nodes in neck

Hi guys,

I was wondering if you can help. Since February this year I have felt terrible with fatigue and body aching. I went to the doctor and they said I had a viral infection and it will pass. It didn't and at the end of may I found some small fixed hard lumps in my neck, 2 in the left and 1 in the right.

I went back to the docs at the begining of June and the doc did some blood tests they came back clear. He said I am just run down and sent me home. 

At the end of June still suffering from fatigue and body aching, I had enough and went to see a different doctor. He told me the first doctor only tested me for glandular fever and thyroid function. So this new doctor sent me for the full works. 

These new bloods came back that I had a very low immune system, very low vitamin b12 and a folic acid deficiency. He said that I must be getting over a heavy viral infection and recommend I pop to Tesco and pic up some vitamins. I explained I don't think i had a viral infection but he had none of it.

We are now in September and I am still the same, i get home from work at 5.30 and need to got to bed. I wake at 6.30 and still feel tired and get worse through the day. Over lithe last 2 days I have felt more small hard fixed lymph nodes. I now have 4 in the left side of the neck 2 in the right side and 1 in the right shoulder near the base of the neck. I have also started to get what I can only describe as hot flushes (I am a 31 year old man) I go really hot for about 15 mins sweating and then cold and shivery straight after.

Could this be linked to lymphoma? I did the bad thing and googled my symptoms. Could it be a viral infection that I can't shake? I am reluctant to go back to the docs because my blood tests were clear other than the low immune system, vitamin b12 and the folic acid deficiency.  

 

  • Hi Bigman and welcome to the forum.

    I'm sorry to read about the various symptoms you've been suffering but I'm glad you decided to see another doctor to get a second opinion.

    Is the doctor aware of the increase of lymph nodes you've found around your neck and the hot flushes/cold sweats you've been experiencing lately? If not, it may be worth going back to make them aware of this and see what they say.

    Although our cancer nurses can't diagnose you, you're more than welcome to give them a call to see what they say and try and find out where to go from here. Their lines are open Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m on 0808 800 4040.

    I hope you start to feel better soon Bigman.

    Kind regards, 

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hello all the symptoms you are saying you have I have as well but with my low b12 I can’t take mine in naturally so I have B12 injections when there wearing off my hole body’s aches and it’s hard to move my gland come out in my neck and I also get panic attack’s from In don’t panic because if it is that it’s easy sorted out just ask your gp about the injections I fall apart with out mine lol 

  • Hi 

     

    did you you find out what it was I’m having the same symptoms 

     

    thanks 

  • Hi did you ever find out what was going on hope ok

  • Funny you saying this (I know it's an old post) but my gp has stopped everyone's b12 jabs and I feel awful. Tingling in the hands fatague and sore tongue and today my nodes are so sore in my neck. I feel absolutely awful 

  • I empathise. I've had swollen lymph nodes in neck for 3 months, terrible fatigue and now painful neck. Dr found I had low vit B12 so I'm getting injections but nodes still swollen. I've had antibiotics but didn't help. Did your Dr tell you or let you know if swollen lymph nodes in neck are a symptom of low vit B? Regarding the Dr stopping your jabs couldn't you buy some high dose Vit B12 from chemist to help tide you over? 

  • I have had nodes for a while come and go I've had bloods and scans done which showed them to be normal reactive nodes. My doc never said nodes could be a sign of low vitamin b12. I do have a woleomh diagnosis of fibromalagia and psoraitic arthritis so possible could be that? I don't absorb the tablets hence why I've always had the injections. My levels are on the low side but not low enough for a Jab they said. I've had them for 6 years and have always been able to tell when I'm due with how I feel. How many nodes do you have? 

  • I see, yes I have absorbtion problem too. I have swollen nodes on both sides of my neck one on right showed 14mm on ultrasound but radiologist said 'reactive' like yours, but I don't have any infections that I know of and AB didn't help. Dr has finally agreed that probably not an infection due to how long they have been swollen. They seem to be getting more persistant (pain in neck, literally) and I feel so tired and foggy all the time. I've had bloods which show low vit D as well as B but apparently Dr says they are not connected as D is absorbed through skin not stomach like B. I have a haitus hernia which could be why I can't absorb Vit B. Going for ENT camera of throat on Sat. Just wondered if Vit B deficiency could be a cause as a few people on the forums seem to have similar issue not getting to the cause of the swollen glands when no infection present.

     

  • I have a camera up my nose and down into my throat and nothing abnormal I've also had chest xrays as I had pressure in my chest but all normal too. I'm always deficient in different things each blood test. I also have a stomach hernia too. The strange thing is my nodes never go they just increase and decrease in size all the time. I've had antibiotics too and still there. I have inflammatory markers in my body but the rheumatologist thinks it's due to my probable psoratic arthritis so who knows. I just don't know why the gp has cancelled everyone's b12 it seems strange to me to be honest. I self administered in first lockdown but now they are saying no one is to have them 

  • That's terrible. Especially when you know that the jabs help. Can't you get it done privately? I live in the Algarve and it costs me €20 for the jab (worth it not to feel so run down). Not sure how much it would cost in the UK. My bloods are also all over the place with high calcium a few months ago which has now levelled to normal/high, as well as the low vit D & B. I was thinking it might be hyperparathyroid as it is often missed by GPs but my TSH levels were normal. Ultrasound showed nodules on thyroid but apparently they are quite common. It's just a worry when you feel the throat pain everyday without knowing the cause I always imagine the worst. I hope you can get the injection soon and feel better.