Lump above left collar bone

I'm  a 27yo female and about 3 weeks ago I found a lump above my left collarbone. It's about the size of a tic tac, it's movable And I think quite soft? Even though the more i touch it the harder it seems! I went to the doctors and she didn't seem too concerned as I've had no other symptoms. She said it's just a shotty gland that popped out because I've had a cough at the the beginning of the month. She told me to come back in 3 weeks. I went back after 2 with anxiety levels through the roof. I stupidly googled the symptoms and read all the horror stories about the swollen lymph nodes above collar bone always mean something bad... I think I could also feel another lump above and under the first one, my cough came back as well, however, it's not that bad (it wasn't the first time). She's examined my neck again and ordered a full blood test, but no scan or anything. Is the blood test enough to determine whether more tests are needed? Or shall I push a scan? Also, can touching a swollen gland make it swell more/make glands around it swollen as well?

Apart from a massive anxiety about this and a bit of a cough I'm feeling okay, keep going to the gym etc. I've had an odd ache there and then but I'm not sure how much of it is anxiety and how much can be a symptom. Did anybody out there had a similar situation? 

  • Oh and I'd also like to add that back in May I've had full blood test and apart from my iron levels being slightly low everything was fine. I've also been at the breast clinic around the same time with a lump and discharge from both nipples. They've never treated the discharge as they said if it's from both breasts it's nothing sinister  and a lump was a false alarm too. I've also had a full abdominal ultrasound scan back in May and that came back normal too. Not sure if that helps!

  • Hi I'm dealing with something similar, I had some neck/throat pains and started feeling around when I felt some squishy lumps on both sides of my collarbone actually on them not above or below. I've had sooo much blood taken with normal results. I go for head and neck mri 2mo morning to find out what's causing the pain, no doctors seem interested in my bumps. Hope you get on OK. 

  • Hi Greengirl, hopefully the fact that they're soft and both sides is a good sign.  Hope your scan goes well today, let me know how you got on.

    I've got my blood test on Thursday morning. It is frustrating to have the doctor not being worried about something the internet is full of red flags about. 

  • Hi J1991 it is frustrating when you feel something is wrong but everyone thinks your just being silly. Thank you, I went for my mri this morning wasnt very nice, was very claustrophobic felt like I was in there forever. Should hopefully get results by end of week. Hope you get OK with bloods and they come bk quickly. It's waiting and not knowing that's hard. I guess we need to try put faith in the doctors and stop googling. The googling is sending me crazy. 

  • Hi J1991 :) 

     

    Sorry to hear what you're going through! It can be so scary can't it? I found a similar 'lump' just above my left collarbone a few months ago. At first I thought maybe I was imagining it but it's definitely there. I used to work in healthcare and remember that you always treat clavicular lymph node swelling as 'abnormal' until proven otherwise. Something that should calm you (hopefully) is; 

    1. Very rarely is it actually a sign of metatstic cancer (a recent study found 25% in under 40s and only 54% in over 40s) so chances are on your side.

    2. There are a million reasons you can get isolated lymph node swelling but mauling with it generally will make it worse haha

    3. Whilst a blood test may not tell the full story if you go back to the doctor armed with that information and with your low iron levels, it should maybe push for them to have a look into it further. Sometimes your mind plays horrible tricks when you find these things, you start feeling symptoms you never have before! 

     

    Stay positive, it's highly unlikely to be anything serious :) I have an appointment for my own in a few weeks, I imagine they'll look into it and then not much will come of it!

  • Hi WC09990,

     

    Thank you so much for these, they did make feel a little bit better. Sorry to hear you're going through something similar, even though it seems you're a bit more chilled about it, lol, how do you do it?

    What baffles me is the fact that she wasn't worried about the fact that the lump is above the collar bone, but from my own research and what you've just said the position of it is worrying. 

    I'm driving myself crazy by touching my neck and I think I keep finding more lumps And getting more symptoms. Let's just hope it's all in my head, like you said.

    I hope your lump turns out to be nothing, please keep me posted about how you're getting on with your appointments x

     

     

  • Hi hun I had my mri tue morning, got called back in yesterday as 'they found something' and I needed to see an oncologist. Got to hospital prepared for the worst. Turns out my nerves at the top of my spine are compressed, could of been damaged or from birth, which is causing my pain. I was so relieved! Apologised as nurse meant to say neurologist no oncologist!! I mentioned my lumps and he said they are nothing and showed nothing on mri, collarbone is just fatty deposits. Said because I'm anxious my symptoms are heightened and feel ten times worse. Although I still have this pain I'm so greatful it wasn't what I thought. Il never forget that day for as long as I live. Hope your doing OK. 

  • I can’t believe they said oncologist instead of neurologist. I suposse it was just a mistake but that poor nurse must have been feeling awful. Anyway let’s focus on the good things, it was great news for you :love:

  • Oh my days! Bless you, that must have been awful. So glad you're okay though, you can breathe now!

     I keep feeling worse but I think it is the anxiety rather than real symptoms, been stressed for days now, I probably wouldn't be feeling any of it if I didn't Google it first! 

    I've had my blood test this morning. They said it takes about a week so will see the doctor on Wednesday  (had this appointment booked for a check up anyway). Fingers crossed it'll be okay. 

  • It wasn't the best day, but as lemonice said focus on the good. Was so relieved. I certain everything will be fine, and it's just your lymph node doing its job. You just need the reassurance. If you could you could get a private mri just for piece of mind xxx