Hi Riley,

A very warm welcome to our forum. I am so sorry to hear about your symptoms. Where were you left after your telephone consultation with ENT on Friday? It is only natural to be scared when there are so many unknowns surrounding you at the moment. You will feel better once you know either way.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you so much Jolamine for taking the time to respond.  The ENT specialist felt the lymph node was unlikely linked to my thyroid and shared that the next step would be to for an ultrasound, following which, I would be offered a telephone consultation to discuss the findings.  It's hard not to be anxious about any lump or bump. I will definitely keep in touch and thank you again xx

 

Hi

I read your post and wanted to tell you of similar condition i had approx 15 years ago.

I noticed large lymph node on right side of neck, whilst brushing my hair. The lump was hard to touch and of course it was frightening. My GP ordered blood tests which came back normal. The lump was removed at hospital as day surgery using local anaesthetic. The offending lymph node went off for biopsy.

The lymph node didnt show any signs of cancer.

The lymph node was filled with chemicals used in hair dye.  

I no longer use hair dye.

The nodes in your neck and head are a first line of defence for anything that gains entry through your scalp, possibly a cut or a scratch from comb/ brush etc. There could be many reasons for an inflamed node in the neck area. 

Hoping all turns out well for you.

Sending prayers and blessings to you and yours at this worrying time.

Hi Riley,

This is always a worrying time, until you get some answers. Have you got a date for an ultrasound through yet? This should show up the lymph nodes well and help to identify a cause. Some people have reactive nodes, as a result of a mild infection or as in Harbour-girl's experience, chemicals from hair dye.

I hope that the cause of your symptoms will be easiy identified and can be easily dealt with by treatment.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Harbour-girl,

Thank you so much for your post. I am sure that this will not only reassure Riley that not all swellings are ominous and, that some can have good outcomes, but also help others who are undergoing similar tests.

I am delighted to hear that you didn't get a cancer diagnosis.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx.

Thank you Jolamine 

The ultrasound will take place a week on Thursday,  it's one of case of dread and in some part relief getting it over and done with. In the interim I'm trying to distract myself and when that not possible I'm trying to stop thinking about it. 
 

Thank you again xx

Hi Riley,

The wait is always an anxious time. You're doing the right thing in trying to distract yourself. Do you have any pastimes that could keep you occupied for the next ten days? Keeping yourself busy makes the time seem to pass more quickly.

I shall be thinking of you a week on Thursday and hope that all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine

I've been able to keep myself busy and I can swallow again which  was as I suspected an anxious response. If I'm not working or busy with other things I'm listening to an audiobook as it's nicely distracting.  

I will keep you posted, just over a week to wait for the ultrasound now. I'm hoping that I will be offered an appointment soon after with ENT to discuss the findings. For the first time ever I'm not looking forward to a long bank holiday weekend. 

Thank you again xx

Hi all

im so so glad to see this active atm! I'm in the same boat! I've had a swollen lymph node in my neck now after getting a wisdom tooth removed due to infection but I'm having the doubts if it's been there before? Anyways. I've had the issues with my scalp and my ent said that could be causing the node I've had a massive outbreak from hair dye lots of spots! My ent wasn't concerned at all about the node and said it was very soft. This node has always come up when I'm sick I believe to the best of my ability but self doubt always kicks in like (has it really ever been there in the past!) but my mum has confirmed I'd always feel it when I was sick and say mum the weird lump is there again! anyways my ultrasound seemed to have gone well that the node wasn't big at all but I'll be hearing more today from my ent I'm meeting him about 6. if anything I'd like to push for the biopsy just so I know once and for all. So reassuring to know others are in this situation right now with me don't feel so alone. Would love to keep updating you all! Just wondering if touching it a lot causes problems and makes it bigger?