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All-consuming anxiety: tests on mastoid lump

emb44
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Hi Folks,

I'm posting here really to vent, and to see if anybody has any advice for someone who is really frightened.

I'm 28, and I discovered a lump on my mastoid (behind ear on skull) a few weeks ago and my GP is concerned, so I am going in for urgent blood tests today, and have been referred to the ENT department which I should be getting an appointment for over the next few weeks.

The lump is hard, doesn't move very much and seems to be attached to the bone rather than the skin. It is smooth but very hard.

I am absolutely terrified to be honest and worrying a lot. I don't really know what to say, but just that any soothing advice would be appreciated. Whatever it is I will do my best to overcome it, but it's just terrifying.

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    Hi Firstly it is good your GP is urgently referring you, and you are bound to feel anxious.

    Worry wont help though, even though its hard not to, I get that. A good tip is not to google your symptoms.

    Please come and let us know the outcome of your referral, hope it is good.

    Wish i could say more to help.

  • Offline in reply to Hope2bcancerFree

    Thanks for your understanding comment.

    Waiting on initial blood test results now and not received an appointment for ENT consultation but hope it will come in the week. Been crying and having bad thoughts all day. I'm usually quite strong but I'm not going to cope well with this waiting. I live overseas from my family and don't have much support here. I will let everyone know what comes of it 

  • Offline in reply to emb44

    Big hugs to you. Sorry to hear you have no support over in the UK but you have plenty support on this forum. if you want you can send me a friend request and then we can message each other privately and maybe I can give you some support.

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    Hi, I hope you're well. 
     

    I've had a lump behind my ear by my mastoid since November now, it's stayed the same size until this past week, where granted I've had tonsillitis, so I think it must be an enlarged lymph node, I've yet to go and get it checked by the GP but after seeing this post, probably need to? 
     

    How did your test results come back in the end? All good I hope? X

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