Hi

Did you have your scan? How did you get on?

I have enlarged lymph nodes on one side of my neck, behind my ear and on in my armpit. All on the same side. Been a couple of weeks now. Had bloods all came back normal. Back to GP Monday and last time she mentioned she could request an ultrasound if I'm worried. I too have GAD and currently struggling with irrational fears of cancer and death.

I hope you're feeling better.

Rachel

I'm sorry I missed this post first time round, so the answers won't be relevant to the original poster, but someone else in a similar position might find them useful.

● How long does it take?

Just a few minutes. The sonographer puts gel on the nodes and then runs the probe over the gel. It only takes a few seconds to get an image and it doesn't hurt.

● Will I get any answers there and then?

Possibly. Sometimes people are given results immediately, sometimes not. I think it depends on whether the sonographer is qualified to interpret the images.  You should read nothing into the sonographer's silence.

● Will they ultrasound in front/behind my ears too? As I have enlarged nodes there!

Point out all enlarged nodes to the sonographer and ask for them to be scanned.

● How long after the ultrasound did you have results?

It depends. If you're not given the results at once it should only take a few days for the results to come through to your GP.

● I have enlarged nodes under my armpits too but my ultrasound has only been put through for my neck - could I ask for a test on my armpits while I'm there also? 

Point out all swollen nodes to the sonographer and ask for them to be scanned.  

● Am I wasting their time? 

Absolutely not!  Your doctor wouldn't have referred you for the scan if it wasn't appropriate.

Hi,

I’m in exactly the same situation as you - I have 6 swollen lymph nodes on my neck along with two pea like lumps under my chin.  My ultrasound is on Thursday and it can’t come soon enough, I’ve been waiting two months!

I hope it all goes well for you and the results are nothing to worry about.  Good luck. 

Also, [@telemando]‍ that’s an incredibly helpful reply for all of us who are facing ultrasounds, thank you. 

Hi lilabelle,

I wish you nothing but the best for Thursday. If you want to talk about anything then add me as a friend and we can message about it ! :) I had to wait around a month for my referral. It could have been a lot worse! 

I just want answers, that's all ! 

Hi vinylfan,

How did you get on at your scan? 

I hope all is well

Hi Rach

It went ok. The lady doing the scan took lots of screen captures of swollen nodes. She confirmed they were definitely enlarged. She said they are 'superficial' She also told me that they look normal and nothing to worry about. She will write to my doctor so will wait to hear what she wrote about them. I just want to know the cause of them being swollen as she seemed to find more than I even knew were enlarged!

Has put my mind at rest a bit. Just hoping the letter to the doctor repeats what I was told while having the scan. 

Hope you are well x

That’s great news!  I’m so glad to hear that the lymph nodes appear normal.  Sounds like they’ve been enlarged from an infection, maybe fighting one you weren’t even aware of.  Reactive lymph nodes look different on ultrasound to lymphoma, so I’m sure the report to the GP will be the same as what she told you.  Hopefully mine will be exactly the same, roll on Thursday. 

Great news, vinylfan262! 

That's fantastic news. Did they scan the ones under your arms too? How long have yours been swollen for?

My lymph nodes are still swollen bloods came back normal and a throat swab showed strep throat so now on antibiotics. I have several swollen on one side of my neck, one under my jaw, one behind my ear and one under my arm all on the same side of my body. Dr has suggested I take the antibiotics and wait a couple of weeks then if they've not gone down to go back again.

The longer they stay up the more anxious I'm becoming, everything online says that under the arm nodes are not likely to be caused by the strep. I wish I could switch my mind off from it all.