neck lump worried sick.. help needed !!

Hi, 

I am a 25 year old female, i have had a swollen lymph node in my right neck for the past 6 weeks, I am not ill, have no signs of infection etc.. bloods have come back normal, I went to the GP who refered me on the fast track to ENT, I went to see them yesterday who told me via ultrasound scan I have the one obvious large node but now multiple others near to this one, the doctor did seem concerned and refered me for biopsy and x-ray, has anyone had similar situation? Im worried now its cancer, I dont know why i would have multiple in the same area?? as for night sweats, my back is always dripping wet the last couple of weeks, but i dont know if this is a cause for concern?

Any bit of help/ advice/ support is very very appreciated as google is saying only one thing!!

 

thank you xxx

  • Hello mcaf and welcome.  Please do not use google as a diagnostic tool; it is no good and just spreads unnecessary fear.  Because, unlike a real flesh-and-blood doctor who asks questions, feels, looks and generally gets a broad picture, the people who post diagnoses on the internet have none of these things to go on so they cover absolutely everything remotely possible.   Your doctor is being thorough and arranging testing to rule out what is not causing  your situation as much as anything else.  The vast majority of people being sent for these tests come back with a clean bill of health.  And, in the event that you are one of the rare unlucky ones, the fact that it has been picked up early will stand you in good stead.  But don't theorise ahead of the known facts (as the saying goes).   I hope you don't have to wait too long for an answer because it is human nature to worry; it would be nice if you could let us know how you get on (but of course you don't have to do this!).  Best wishes.  Annie

  • thank you both for your kind comments, I appreciate everyones support, I will keep updated on how I get on, I think the fact they have refered me for further testing after the initial ultrasound has made my mind go into overdrive, I actually also only thought it was one lymph node and now to know it is multiple I am fearing the worst! 

     

    xx

  • Hi mcaf,

    Again I would advise to stay off google as so much information.

    Am sorry to hear of symptoms but good that being checked. Many referals and biopsy are in fact further checks to rule anything untoward out and biospy does not mean automatica cancer.
    I am into my 7th week post treatment for throat cancer and although had to be treated, its highly traetable and curable and my consultant is, like so many others, looking for a complete  cure.
    Your night sweats could even be the result of anxiety but if helps, talk through with GP

    understand your anxiety and hope you will be seen soon as waiting is one of the most unfortunate by poroducts of all this, but I wish you well and hopefully tests will all come back as normal.

    Please feel free to ask away anything I can help with

    kind regards

    ian

  • Thank you for your kind words, has anyone had experience of ultrasounds not really being conclusive? what is worrying me more than anything is that i have seen so many people just get to the ultrasound stage and being discharged, the fact i am going for further tests is making me worry even more! 

    any advice welcome x

  • Hi mcaf 

    I'm so sorry what you are going through I understand your fear although no recall as of yet - I attended my ultrasound yesterday and I was absolutely terrified after readingDr Google, noticed a huge lump under my jaw last weds, felt fine my colleague told me to get to the docs anyway he ordered ultrasound and bloods, more and more lumps and swollen lymph nodes have come up since, my bloods have come back anaemia I have started on folic acid, vit d, ferrous fumerate three times per day, feeling awful, tired now - I do have a coldsore, during ultrasound they took so many pictures and asked if I was bleeding heavily which I'm not, and said I do have Alot of lymph nodes enlarged, and I heard him dictating to the Dr that they were mildly abnormal, he advised me as such a short space of time like 1 week, to continue with other investigations (has to have further blood test after my scan to test for viruses) and if are still there in 4-6 weeks to attend for a biopsy. I was concerned that I maybe had infection in my wisdom teeth as well causing it? they commenced me on antibiotics despite infection markers in blood not really indicating it and no temperature- so fingers crossed praying will go down and that's all it is- but they are not budging so far, just swelling more and more lots of them. How are your bloods? Just with you having multiple like me.. When is your biopsy? Xx I just wanted to say hi Really and I was so scared yesterday them taking do many pictures so just to offer my support :) the not knowing is scary isn't it please keep us posted how you get on xx 

  • Hi, 

    thanks for sharing your story, its so scary when you dont know exactly what is going on! my full blood count has come back normal, i originally thought it was just the one swollen lymph node i was dealing with so i was so suprised to find it was multiple in the one area, i havent had any other issues no cold, tooth problems nothing! I should be having the biopsy next week, then a follow up with the consultant the week after, they are moving things along quickly which is just so scary, trying my best to think positive but when you are at the ultrasound and they are not really saying much and just taking lots of pictures like you say you do worry! I suppose with you having a cold sore maybe you are just run down? xxx

  • Yes I really truly hope so :) I had no other syptoms either initially just that big lump under jaw which is why I think they referred me :) but gradually have started to feel pretty tired so yes definately hope just run down with the anaemia or virus or something :)  reading Google definaty doesn't help, I was so terrified during that ultrasound yesterday when it came to it :) I was like good so I'm OK then as I was jumping off the bed and they said. . Nothing was like arrgh! Thinking of you! Good luck next week xx

  • Its so frustrating isnt it... they need to understand that saying nothing really doesnt help! Thank you, and good luck with your next steps also i will keep you up to date xx

  • Hi mcaf how have you got on? They have hammered me with antibiotics since initial ultrasound however the glands are still swollen but have reduced slightly and have now Been given an urgent referral to the neck lump clinic so just awaiting appointment, my gp feels there is nothing sinister, he was worried initially due to the size but this has now reduced so fingers and toes crossed, I hope you have had some good news with yours lovely was thinking of you x