Lump found on neck. Terrified, Please help!

Hi Guys,

Found my way to this forum as I'm very concearned about a lump on my neck. A little back story to myself and where I'm at ; My dad suddenly passed away in december 17 and ever since then I have had really bad anxiety about my health. I went through a stage where I thought I couldn't breathe and was having heart attacks or strokes. I've learnt to deal with that alot better now.

Around about 3 months ago while at the doctors I showed her a small lump ( bump ) on my shoulder which I was stressing over, she told me it was most likely little bit of fat and not to worry. I wasn't feeling right and wanted to know whether it was the anxiety or not so eventually about 2 months ago I got blood tests for my liver thyroid and something else which I can't remember. Since I had them I noticed my gland on one side was a little swollen and I noticed on my other side of my neck a really hard pea size lump right at the bottom of my neck above my colerbone.  I went to the doctors to see about my blood results and he said everything was fine, I showed him the two lumps which he felt and told me to stop stressing however I forgot to show him the tiny pea sized one at the other side. He told me if there was anything to worry about my bloods would have shown this.

Fast forward to last weekend where I had a really bad night sleep ( I have a cinstant stiff and sore neck ) not sure if its my pillows but they're constantly sore and always waking up during the night as it's sore. This morning my left side was in agony and I noticed this pea size lump only it was now around 2cm and rock solid. If I touch it it moves but by moving I think it;s more my finger rubbing over it rather than it moving. Its more inside my neck and you can't see if by looking at my neck you can only see it by feeling. I got a massage as I thought it could have been a knot but it isn't sore to touch although the area around it can be. Even showing my mum last night she was suprised at how hard it was and said go to the doctors straight away. I have an appointment booked with the same doctor for monday however last night woke up during the night and I have a very tight throat and not major struggling to swallow but it feels like I have a throat infection coming on.The passage between my nose and mouth felt blocked and throat feels swollen. 

 

Please someone give me some advice as I'm terrified. I can't stop touchign the lump it's probably only about 1cm deep and between 1-2cm wide and feels the size of the top of my finger would be. 

I'm a 26 year old male, with no underlying health conditions bar being over weight. Only thing I would say is I am constantly lying on my side watching tv which gives me a really sore neck or shoulders and it's always my right side I lie on so my left side is always the one stretched.

 

I've spoke to my girlfriend about it who thinks I'm just over reacting and it will be nothing. Part of me thinks I only had blood tests 8 weeks ago so if they came back fine then I should stop worrying but then everything I read on the internet to do with cancer lumps is  what I am feeling in my neck with the same symptoms

 

Sorry for rambling, I'm just worried.

  • Hiya Daniel, 

    Im really sorry to hear about what you`re going through and im really sorry to hear about your dad, I completely understand all the worrying that you cant help feeling. Any lump, in my opinion should be checked out, just in case. I would call up your docs again and let them know the added issues you've experienced, since they may want to see you sooner or they could be completely unrelated. Try not to worry until you get some answers since all your previous tests have come back good and thats great. Symptoms that resemble cancer most of the time are something harmless, I would get in touch with your docs, if they think it needs quicker attention they will bring you in sooner. I can understand about how you are feeling and I know its hard but im sure you will be just fine. I hope you find you peace of mind soon, and we are here if you need a chat. 

    Bex 

  • Thanks for the reply Becs, I actually feel like its been getting softer and maybe a little smaller the last few days. It still doesn't hurt to touch which is worrying. It's hard but it moves if I run my fingers along the top. Hopefully everything is fine!

  • That’s ok, that’s a great sign, I’m sure everything will be just fine, try not to worry yourself too much. I hope everything goes well on Monday :) 

  • Hi Daniel,

     

    It's natural to be anxious and let your mind run to worst case scenario. Hope all turns out well. By your description it sounds like your lump us near your thyroid gland at the base of your neck?? As someone who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer a few months ago, here is my advice. Your situation might not be the exact same as mine but I found out some interesting things from my experience. 

    I'm a 28 year old female who had no medical complaints and was healthy until this. I was told I had gotten pale and thin in the face so decided to get bloods taken. Never noticed the lump on left side of neck at the base/above collarbone. It was my gp who noticed it by chance when I swallowed after talking about how I felt.

    Firstly i had no symptoms and thankfully my type of cancer was slow growing. Also I'm a firm believer in trusting if something isn't quite right with your body, it doesn't necessarily mean something sinister, but any lumps I would get checked out for peace of mind. Also 2 sets of bloods I had done came back 'ok/within normal ranges'. Some nodules are benign too remember. Some of your symptoms sound like the questions the gp asked me, not trying to scare u but waiting was by far I thought the worst part of my experience. Remember time is key and thyroid cancers can be very treatable depending on type and when found. Hope it's nothing, maybe I'm slightly anxious since my diagnosis is still relatively fresh. Hope all goes well. Ps: stick to reputable websites for info, random searching will have u thinking allsorts.

  • Hi hoof,

     

    thanks for the reply. Mines is actually on my left side of my neck at the top of my collar bone. Where my

    shoukder meets my neck. It’s not rock solid but it does feel almost like how a bit far would feel. Moves when I touch it but when I push down it’s like a ball of fat would be, quite stiff.

  • Ah ok, so it's on the side of your neck.

    Well my bro has  a lump on his side and it sounds similar to yours as in it moves under the skin. His is benign and hes having it removed but defo get it checked out for your own sanity. My mam has a lump on her neck- at the back and base of the neck and it's benign thankfully too so try not to jump to worst case scenario. Hopefully all will be well. 

  • Thanks for the reply again. Yes, it’s on the side. You can’t see it but if you feel my neck you can feel it. I was trying to show my Girlfriend and last night was the first time she had actually been able to feel it. It moves when I run my fingers over it but not sure if it changes form. Hopefully all is well when I speak to the doctors on monday.

  • Hi Guys,

     

    Just a little update, I had an appointment at my doctor today. He said that the lump is my lymph node and although it's been enlarged for over 4 weeks its not grown to it's size until around 10 days ago. He then checked my throat and said I have a throat infection and gave me penicillin. He knows I have been really worried as I had already been to see him about another lump but in his words ' you have absolutely nothing to worry about' 

    He said the lymph node will go back down to it's normal size within 6 weeks. When I started to have trouble swallowing and a sore throat I googled it and it made me even more anxious but he said not to worry and to stop googling my symptons.

     

    Thanks for the replies here from everyone.

  • Glad to hear the good news. With so much cancer about it's the automatic worst case scenario mode to go to! Mind yourself and only use Google for shopping lol.

  • Sorry for the message, but I’m a little worried about a lump Iv found on my thyroid. It’s just under 2cm firm but not hard, it does move if I poke it.

    Iv had bloods and they were clear, I have a doctors appointment tomorrow to discuss what next but only because I asked.

    iv also lost weight but Iv been trying it people say my face has gone very drawn.