Raised lymph nodes - Ultrasound all clear

Just wanted to update as I found it really helpful when other users did this.

I have what feels like a small matted cluster of nodes on the side of my neck (cervical nodes I think), slightly smaller than pea-sized each but definitely at least two together, and then another pea-sized one an inch lower nearer my collar bone, but not a supraclavicular. Cluster has been there about a month at this point, and hasn't shrunk. I also have enlarged glands under my jaw on both sides, they feel firm and quite bulky compared to the nodes lower down on my neck.

Had a Dr appointment and she said the nodes were enlarged, it was due to an illness I had weeks ago and they seemed fine. Also had a blood test which came back fine, blood count normal.

Just had an ultrasound, got a private referral and a private scan. I'm not rolling in cash but I was driving myself mad using the NHS, I have bad health anxiety and just needed this issue sorted before it got out of hand. 

Great news, the ultrasound went really positively, the wonderful doctor let me look at the screen and explained that the nodes I could feel usually live several inches under the skin, but they'd been raised due to infection and WOULD PROBABLY NEVER GO DOWN, which I feel is a very important point as I've been driving myself mad waiting for them to disappear. He said they all look fine, I'm to check them again in two months to make sure they haven't grown, and then he told me to forget about them. He told me I must stop prodding them though, or I would irritate them further and they might swell as a result.

For reference, I haven't suffered any other symptoms like night sweats or continual fever, and none of my lumps ever got past the 1cm size.

Wishing everyone the best of luck with their journeys, whatever stage they're at x

  • That must be such a relief for you.  

    I had read that some lymph do remain permanently swollen.  It's nice to hear confirmation from a doctor that this is a real occurence.

  • Yes I'm hugely relieved - thanks telemando :happy:

    I wish there was more verified medical info available around swollen lymph nodes... for instance I read that one doctor told a patient that they don't worry unless the lump is like a golf ball, another source said if they can't see the lump across the room they're not concerned, today I hear that my lymph nodes might never go... this is all stuff that could stop unnecessary anxiety but just exists in anecdotes. My Dr basically said I was stressed and run down, and sent me on my way! Maybe if she'd told me my swellings might never go, I wouldn't have spent £300 on an ultrasound!

  • Hi there

    I've been suffering a great deal with this lump issue.. Under my ear left side .. under the jaw..feels hard and I also get pain in the jaw whish the doctors said could be TMJ ..after going to 2/3 GPs for a scan..I finally got a referral and an ultrasound appointment..but that got cancelled due to Covid.. I'm still suffering with anxiety and it's affecting my day to day life.. been months since I'm going to the doctors for some peace of mind. 

    I started getting night sweats ,closer to mensturation though..so I don't know if that could be related.Blood results normal.

    Now since 4 days I have a weird odour that I can smell continously...I spoke to GP who advised to do nasal rinse. I'm really worried and I have just emailed my GP about going private because I have no idea how to go about this.

    Can you please let me know what I should be doing to go private..again like you said I'm not rolling cash either but the anxiety..the sleepless nights and the pain is bothering me a lot.

     

    I'm glad you got the answers. 

  • Hi Luvlymas

    I Googled private healthcare and took it from there. I went with Spire Health who have a hospital a short drive from me. I had to book a private GP appointment first to get a referral, she then sent the referral to the Scan department who rang me to book the ultrasound. All done in less than a week, from initial appointment to scan results. 
     

    You may be able to get a referral from your NHS GP to have a private scan, but my GP kept telling me I was fine, so I went private for the referral too. Turns out my GP was correct, I am fine, but I wanted reassurance and now I have it, thank goodness. 

    Hope that helps, best of luck with everything. The chances it's not cancer are very high, so do try to stay calm (I didn't manage it myself!).

     

    x

  • Hi Fi82

    Thanks for the info, I emailed my GP last night and asked for the procedure to go private but thankfully got a call from NHS today and they booked an appointment for Thursday.. so in 6 days.. sigh..finally.. I'm anxious! Hopefully it's nothing but yes need that reassurance..my GPS said it's nothing too..but today I felt a swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck (at the back) which I don't remember feeling ever before.. 

    I hope they tell me the results or something reassuring then and there and don't keep me waiting for gps to get back to me.

    Thanks for your reply. I'm trying to be positive

  • Hello,

     

    jusg wondering if you had your scan? And what the results were? X

  • Hey sp14, 

    As Luvlymas was last on the forum nearly a year ago, there'ss a chance you may not hear back from them.

    I will be hoping they do come back to update you but if not, you're welcome to reach out to others on more recent threads or even create your own discussion.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi

    Yes I did have my scan and I was told it's nothing to worry about and the node is quite small. Sometimes after an infection they can swell and don't go back to original size and it's nothing as long as they are not increasing in size. Mine is still there but I don't think increasing in size. I have tinnitus in the ear 24/7 on the same side too. Seeing ENT in May  

    Hope you are okay x

  • Hello,

     

    thank you for replying and brilliant news about your scan.

     

    I'm going through something similar and about to have an ultrasound in about two weeks time. Hopefully it's nothing serious too.

    All the best to you x 
     

     

  • Hey 

    Good luck and I'm sure it's nothing.  Do let me know.  Best wishes and try not to worry x