Cancer Research UK main site

2ww ENT referral for enlarged lymph nodes, next step CT scan

Mumtothree
Offline

Hi, first time post for me and it’s quite a long one, so bare with. 

Around the time my children went back to school after their summer holidays, I noticed that I was becoming extremely fatigued. I put it down to loss of routine, having to start the day a lot earlier to get my son to his new SEN school etc. 

By october i could hardly function so decided to go and visit my GP. After blood tests I was told to make an appointment to discuss my results. My B12/foilate was very low, so I was prescribed three months worth of foilic acid and told to come back in January to have my bloods done again. 

Around the second week of January I noticed a lump in the crease of my neck / under my chin. I already had an appointment Pre arranged for a week later so decided to wait until then. At that appointment I was prescribed antibiotics and referrd for an ecg as I have a rapid heart rate and told to come back in a week. 

My latest GP appointment was today, she checked my throat, lymph nodes etc. The lump hasn’t changed, but now my lymph nodes are swollen too. She’s made a referral for me to be seen at my local hospital by ENT within 2 weeks. 

So now I’m just driving myself mad with worry. I know that 9 out of 10 referrals turn out not to be cancer and that these referrals are more to rule out than diagnose, but I just can’t help myself. 

I just can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. I’m tired 24/7 even after a full nights sleep, I never feel fully rested. I have a dull aching pain in my shoulder, Color bone and armpit on my right side that never goes away. I feel weak, I have an awful taste in my mouth that I can get rid of and I’m having to sleep with the window open and fan on. 

Ive tried my best not to start googleing my symptoms, but I’m trying to find out what this ENT appointment is going to involve? Should I take someone with me etc? I’d probably take my mum, but haven’t mentioned it to her yet as I don’t want her to worry over nothing. 

Not really sure what I’m asking for, it just felt good to write this out, if you made it this far then thank you. 

  • Offline

    Hello i was in the same situation. At the ENT appointment the doc discussed symtoms atc and then put a camera up my nose which went down my throat- uncomfortable but not sore. 

    I was then referred for an ultrasound scan at the scan they didn't take a biopsy as they said it was a reactibe node. 

    Looking back i wish now id pushed for a biopsy as im still worried and uneasy.

    Hope all goes well for u xx

  • Offline in reply to Mummyto2

    Thank you for the reply, I suppose the fear of the unknown is the worst. At least I haven’t got to wait long, my appoint letter came in the post this morning. It’s on Monday! Xx 

  • Offline in reply to Mumtothree

    Feeling so down today. I got the kids to school then slept until pick up time. Things just seem to be getting worse day by day. I’ve now found more enlarged nodes in my armpits, the left side being quite large. It seems the more I poke and prod, the more I find. 

    I feel like have no one to talk to.... 

    roll on Monday x

  • Offline in reply to Mumtothree

    Such a stressful time. I remember the days before my scan i constantly felt sick and was so teary. Kept thibking the worst.

    Ill be thinking of you. I always feel small lymph nodes in my groin but they try to say as im thin ill feel them.

    I think since this all (even getting a posotive outcome) i have awful health anxiety and just cant shake off something being wrong x

  • Offline in reply to Mumtothree

    I am in a similar situation your not alone, I’ve only just been to the doctors with swelling in thyroid area (was diagnosed with under active thyroid last year) the back of my neck aches and only really comfortable when I rest my head, for a few months I’ve had achy armpits and do have a lump in left armpit that was biopsy a few years ago as benign cyst. My arms feel heavy and I just feel none-discrip really! Couldn’t tell you how I feel. Tried to run on treadmill last night did 15mins felt dizzy so that’s why I thought best start the ball rolling and get this lump looked at! I do hope that the outcome for you is all good and nothing too bad but the more you read the more worried you get x

  • Offline in reply to Mumtothree

    Hi, I know how you are feeling, this waiting around is the worse thing we have to go through. I finished chemo in November for lymphoma so I know all about the waiting. If they take a biopsy on Monday it takes a few weeks to get results. There are quite a few tests after that if it is positive. But one thing at a time, get this one over with, it may be nothing. I had an excellent ct scan in December and was in remission. On my second follow up appointment my doctor found another lump on my neck so here I am again, getting my ultrasound and possible biopsy on Thursday, I am still in shock as even my doctor said it’s very unusual for it to come back so soon, so fingers crossed for both of us and it’s a negative result. Please keep in touch and let me know how you get on. X

  • Offline in reply to scones

    I went to my ENT appointment today. I’ve been poked and prodded and had a camera down my nose into my throat. Apparently one of the biggest nodes is near a nerve, that if damaged could potentially cause facial paralysis!! 

    So they’re skipping out the biopsy for now and sending me for a CT scan of my neck, chest and abdomen. 

    I went down to CT with my letter that stated Urgent CT within 1 day, to be told that they have no availability today or tomorrow and they will call me in the next few days....

    so here I am with the dreaded wait once again. I’m booked in for more detailed blood tests on Thursday. I was told today that my last lot showed no change to my foliate (still very low) and something about kidney function... although my GP didn’t bring this up with me.... 

    i was hoping I’d feel a lot better after this appointment, but I just feel a whole lot worse. I’ve searched and searched this forum for a similar experience, but can’t find anyone who’s been sent for an urgent CT scan after an ENT appointment.... I’m so worried now. 

    Hope everything goes well for you on Thursday Scones, I’ll update once I’ve had this CT scan x 

     

  • Offline in reply to Mumtothree

    Hi, oh no, more waiting, very unusual to be told to go for a ct scan like that. Even when I was admitted to hospital it took 4 days to get one. I had to wait around 2 weeks for one after my biopsy then another 3 weeks for the report to be done. My haematologist read my scan on her computer herself before the report came in. There must be a back log in that department. Did they give u a wee bottle of stuff to drink before you go, I got one then had to drink more when I arrived for scan. It seemingly shows up cells more clearly. I also had the dye injected in arm as well. If it tells them what they want to see they can do anything they want. I was wanting to book a wee holiday for my birthday and my hubbys and it’s our anniversary, but again I can’t do anything. The waiting is just awful, even the second time around. My head is still saying it can’t have come back so quickly . So I’m living in hope. I really hope your appointment comes back quickly x

  • Offline in reply to scones

    Just a little update for now, I had my CT scan on Monday 18/2 and I received a letter today with an appointment to discuss the results next Wednesday 27/2. I think I’ve got used to the waiting now. The CT wasn’t too bad, but when they injected the contrast dye it made me feel like I was wetting myself! 

    Im just praying that all is well now and trying to enjoy half term with my little ones xx 

  • Offline in reply to Mumtothree
    Hi, that made me laugh, I’ve had quite a few ct scans with the contrast, they usually warn you about the feeling of wetting yourself, I honestly was sure I had the last time as the feeling went on for longer. It’s a horrible feeling but I guess it’s necessary and you know when you get that it’s almost over. I’m still waiting on results hopefully shudnt be much longer. 2 weeks tomorrow since I had my biopsy done. Taking my phone everywhere with me. At least they shud hav all your results to hand when you go on Wednesday. My fingers are crossed for you xx

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.