referred 2ww for swollen lymph nodes

Hello - thank you for taking the time to read this post.

 

I was referred yesterday to head and neck I think after very politely losing my temper with the GP.

 

I spent the beginning of lockdown whizzing about in the sunshine. Stressed as self employed but fairly accepting of the whole pandemic situation. I had been taking prescribed Vitamin D after months of fatigue and a positive blood test of low levels. I have also had night sweats for about 6 months - hormone levels were checked but they were fine.

 

Around the 16th May I became really fatigued. Ill with it really. Just getting up and dressed felt like a milestone. My husband noticed my nodes under my ears were swollen. Apart from the tiredness there were no other symptoms. Did econsult and was diagnosed with post viral fatigue. Husband (dentist) concerned about lymph nodes so we waited for 4 weeks to see if they went away. Left side very noticeable, right side not so much. Did another econsult at 4 weeks- invited in as also have weird numbness in right hand along index finger. Doc not really worried about nodes. Ordered more blood tests incl. glandular fever. 

Another econsult last week (week 6) I wrote everything down in the econsult- nightsweats, fatigue, facial flushing, fatigue, pain under left rib (had that for ages). Doc called - glandular fever result negative. Maybe I've had mumps he suggested. Or the Cororna virus. Requested mumps blood test. Which is next week on the 8th. 

 

Yesterday husband checked nodes and the left is bigger. My neck aches - like my head is too heavy (bit dramatic). Having to go for a nap every afternoon as it's like someone has just flipped a switch and turned me off. Brain function just gone like an idiot and exhausted. So sent slightly cross econsult to GP stating that if we wait for the mumps results probably take 2 weeks plus 2ww referall it will be a month. He said 'Hmm.. lets have alook at the guidelines.. nearly 7 weeks.. hmmm.. yes we'll refer you'. Felt like I was persuading my kids the benefits of doing something they don't want to do!

 

Feeling very English about the whole thing and embarrassed that I've caused a fuss. Feel like I've 'wasted' my lockdown as I've been too tired to do anything - haven't even baked a cake! Feeling that every tiny thing might be a symptom of something. 

 

Why am I posting? Bit of a rant I suppose. I don't want to tell family and friends as I don't want to worry anyone unneccessarily as I'm probably one of the 'worried well' that waste the NHS time. I don't know what to expect at the appointment? And I don't know whether to make a list of all my niggles in case I just look like a neurotic nutcase.

 

Thanks for listening x

  • Felt much better after having a bit of a rant this morning on here. 

  • I can understand your frustration.

     

    I've had a persistant low grade fever since janurary, not felt right for a while. My inflmmatory markers have been raised on every test since august. Generally drained and fatigued but still managing to get to work so the doctors haven't thought anything of it because im 'obviously well enough to go' im a nurse so would only not go if i were in hospital myself. I was investigated for lymphoma last june and referred to haematology but they couldn't find anything at that time. Now a month ago i noticed a lump on my jaw line and swelling on the same side of neck that for 4 weeks they have refused to physically see as they dont think anything of it. I got concerned due to my history of symptoms and things getting worse and finally ive been referred to ENT. i hope we both get good outcomes! 

  • I also know how frustrating it is!  
     

    I kept going to the doctors because I'd been having persistent generalized itching, swollen neck nodes and night sweats but they just kept fobbing me off saying it was nothing to worry about. They said it was all probably due to an underlying infection even though I told them I didn't have any and my symptoms persisted for another 6 months. I ended up asking the GP to refer me to the haematologists. 
     

    Since being under them I've had various blood tests and a CT neck, chest, abdo and pelvis. The CT came back saying I have slightly enlarged nodes in my neck but they are not significant and all my blood tests came back fine apart from my LDH which is slightly elevated. I googled this and it has just made me more worried as it says that LDH is commonly elevated in lymphomas and even though it has a number of other causes, I know none of them apply to me. I've had a repeat test so I'm just waiting for the result again which I think is the worst bit! 
     

    I imagine at your appointment they will also do different bloods tests and some sort of imaging / scan. 
     

    Definitely make a list of all your niggling questions and ask them - there's nothing wrong with doing if it gives you answers and puts your mind at rest! 
     

    I know what you mean about being the 'worried well', but it is better to get these things checked out and addressed sooner rather than later even if it turns out to be nothing! 
     

    Hope everything works out :)

  • Thanks Worrywart95 and Sammyg2010. Fingers crossed we get the answers we need soon x

  • Hi there 

     

    I thought I would leave a little bit of insight from my own experience.

     

    I have one enlarged tonsil on the left and an enlarged lymphnode on the right. I first noticed this back in October and was referred to the ENT. He had a look and said the tonsil doesn't look suspicious but he wanted it out to be sure (still waiting for surgery) and the lymphnode didn't feel suspicious but the fact it's been there for so long with no change he booked me for an Ultrasound which I had a few weeks ago. The consultant called me today and told me that looking at the images the lymphnode didn't show any characteristics that would make them believe it was cancerous, he explained that they sometimes just do not go back down after infection, even though I don't remember even being sick or anything. And you he fact the tonsil and node are on opposite sides are unrelated and not a reason for concern.

     

    i haven't really had any B symptoms apart from fatigue but I think I have been stressed over this for 8 months and made myself exhausted!

     

    I don't know if this even is helpful but there are plenty success stories out there 

  • NallyP I too have one enlarged tonsil and ear ache on the same side , I’ve had an mri and it came back as normal but they suggested tonsillectomy to me too :( I really don’t fancy that and I’m confused if the mri came back ok why are they suggesting surgery . I’ve stressed over this for months too! Wx
  • Hi Winnie 

     

    They told me the only way to be 100% certain that it isn't cancer is to remove the tonsil and biopsy it. It probably is the right thing to do!

     

    I don't fancy it either as I've heard the recovery for adults is really rough :(

  • Yes they said that to me too ... I'm thinking if they are happy to leave me until October they can't be concerned (or I hope) 

    I have no swollen nodes and also had a nasel camera which was clear . My only symptom is earache really . Do you get any ear pain? 
    yep I don't fancy the operation either , sounds a bad recovery for an adult . I'm 41 

    how much bigger is your enlarged tonsil compared to your normal one? They suggested to me it could be tonsil stones .

  • Tonsils can get stones?? Wow - I had no idea 

  • Hello,


    I hope you are okay.

    how did you get on after your referral? My boyfriend has just come back from the doctors after going in with a swollen lymph node on the front of his neck. I am very scared as the doctor has said he has suspected cancer and he has to go to the ENT unit on Tuesday for further tests. He also suffers badly with night sweats and has swollen nodes in his groin area also. He used to have very small swollen lympnodes on his neck but they came and went and thought nothing of it. He is early 20s. As his new lump is so big (size of strawberry) he went to the doctors today about it and that is what they said :( Doctors were very concerned. I am so terrified. I haven't stopped thinking about it