Unexplained lump above collarbone

Hi everyone, 

 

I hope this post is okay, I'm not sure what's wrong with me and I don't want to offend those who have been diagnosed but I'm so anxious right now. I'm 20 years old, and I'm at university right now. About 4.5 weeks ago, I found a small lump above my collarbone on the left side. It feels about 1cm and is oval shaped, smooth and I can move it around easily. I noticed it the day after I had a flu jab so just thought it as an effect of that. It hadn't gone away in a week so I phoned the GP and they agreed to phone in three weeks. Three weeks later and it was still there, they ordered some bloods which all came back clear. They've referred me for an ultrasound after examining it - he said it felt like a lymph node and that from feeling it there shouldn't be anything to worry about. I just keep jumping to the worst conclusions and thinking that I have lymphoma, because I've had really bad fatigue for the past few months. I had glandular fever in summer 2019, and I'm so scared that it could have caused lymphoma. So sorry for the ramble, I just don't know what else it could be apart from that. 

  • Same situation here. It was exactly 6 years since I was diagnosed with oestrogen-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer that had spread to lymph nodes, and had to undergo a lot of different treatments for over a year, starting with chemotherapy before surgeryto halt it in its tracks.
    I noticed a hard movable swollen node just behind my right collarbone (the side I had the Oxford AstraZeneca jab) six days after vaccination, and it's still there 3 weeks later. Not sure if it was there before or not, as it was so hidden and I found it by chance when sitting with my arm propped up on a chair arm, which revealed the little lump. This morning I found a tiny, grit-sized movable hard lymph node under the other collarbone (on the left), too. Nine days ago I was so worried, having read the same online articles as the rest of you, including some medical journal ones, that I was really panicking and making myself feel ill and thinking the worst, so I saw a GP and she said the node feels smooth (a good sign of being benign, she said) and to wait 3 weeks to see if it goes down.
    It's been so reassuring to read all these posts and feel I am not alone, and it might all be OK. Thank you to everyone. I have not reported this to the yellow card scheme so far, but maybe I should, or might the GP do so?

  • Hi

    Yes it's so hard not to assume the worst when you have been through so much in the past. I find I have days when I assume it's all ok and too much of a coincidence to be cancer related, and other days when I feel really panicky!! 
    I also discovered my node when I had my arm propped up on a chair - my partner is convinced that I would have discovered it earlier had it been there before the AZ jab. 
    It's just over seven weeks since I first felt it - it definitely hasn't increased in size - although some days I convince myself it has!! It's smooth ( which I'm now relieved about) and very moveable. I think if it hasn't reduced in size after the second jab I must see my gp though. The thought of more scans and waiting for results terrifies me, but I know at some stage it should be investigated. It's seven years since I had my breast cancer treatment and I normally manage to put it to the back of my mind - until something like this happens!!

    It does make you wonder if this is a more common side effect than they expected. Did your gp mention any other similar cases?

    I would think that your gp would have reported it to the Yellow card scheme but might be worth asking.

    I agree it is reassuring to know others are going through the same experience - do let us know how you get on and hope it all works out ok.

     

  • I feel just the same as you. Waiting for results is the worst. I recently had a problem with unexplained abdominal pains so I was fast-tracked because of my cancer history and had an ultrasound, which seemed to show a swelling on my kidney, then kidney X-ray with dye, then CT, then nuclear medicine, and there was no cancer in my abdomen and less swelling than the earlier scans seemed to show. I feel basically very fit, and am waiting to hear whether anything needs doing or not, but feeling reassured by the scan reports. Don;t want to be fast-tracked again, and don't want to seem like the 'worried well' finding ongoing reasons to be scanned unnecessarily.
    The very same evening that I saw the reassuring kidney CT scan letter, I found that hard, movable lymph node behind the collar bone, so no chance to celebrate. It's like waves of worry coming into shore while you're wading in the sea. You see them coming in and sort of ride up the worry wave, then it crashes over you when you feel utterly desperate, then it subsides and you're still there, in a lull getting on with the rest of life before the next wave comes. There have been long periods of calm, but those worry waves are potentially still out there waiting for a reason to roll in!

  • Hi

    I'm so sorry to hear what you have been through recently and hope it all works out for you. The results you had do sound reassuring. I can wholeheartedly relate to "worry waves" - you describe it so well. I have been feeling fine since my treatment 7 years ago but it doesn't take much to send me back there! I had a complete panic attack when I discovered the node - and unable to focus on anything else for a while. I've even started Couch to 5k at the age of 66 just to prove to myself that I can do it!! 
    I have been taking Anastrozole since treatment - I'm never sure if the aches and joint pains are side effects or something more serious. Another thing to worry about. The running ( if you can call it that!!) does seem to get me moving better. 
    Take care - and keep us posted 

    Jx

     

  • Hello, have you made a GP appointment yet? I've had an enlarged lymph node by my left collar bone for about 5 weeks. Having googled it a few weeks ago I read if a lymph node is still enlarged after 3 to 4 weeks then to make a GP appointment. I remembered yesterday and did an online consultation and the GP phoned and invited me in and has now referred me for an ultrasound. I didn't know it might be linked to the covid vaccine, but now I I hoping that is all it is. I had my first dose at the end of January and my second dose a week ago. I have had cancer before though, so now the GP has referred me on I am really panicking. The GP asked lots of questions which my googling tells me relate to symptoms of lymphoma or abdominal cancers. I have no other symptoms at all so it was a no to all the questions. The GP said it is most likely enlarged due to an underlying infection that I've had no symptoms of. 

  • Hi

    I haven't made an appointment yet - over the past few days my node seems to be reducing in size. I shouldn't really put it off any longer though, especially after reading your post. Was your swollen node on the same side as the vaccination?  I do hope your ultrasound goes ok and you don't have to wait too long - waiting is always the scariest part. I have routine blood tests coming up soon so that will be a good chance to discuss with my gp if it hasn't resolved by then. Do let us know how you get on. 

  • Yes it is on my left side and I had my left arm jabbed both times. Fingers crossed this is all it is. It is horrible to think I might be back in the same place I was in 13 years ago. Please get yours checked out, it reducing in size sounds good though x

  • Hello again,

    Sorry for the delayed reply. I have been taking Anastrozole since treatment, too. For a while my joints were really stiff, so that I found it hard to walk after sitting in a car, for instance, and had to start off hobbling to get them warmed up, and my fingeres were stiff. That wore off. I have had a few problems sleeping and I still get muscle aches that I have been blaming on other things, and hot flushes, but otherwise the Anastrozole doesn't seem to have had bad effects. I walk the dog in the countryside every day, which is my version of running, and sometimes have a game of tennis. 
    I'm glad I'm not the only one who really panicked when they found the node. Today the node is still there and the glands under my chin are slightly sore. Might be unconnected? 

  • So glad to hear the node is reducing in size. That sounds really promising. 

  • Hello,

    This is my first post, I've been trying to find some answers on this area so am a bit relieved to find this thread. I had my Pfizer vaccine 4 weeks ago and I too have a lump just above the collar bone, the doctor is sending me for blood tests to check for lymphoma which has sent me into a bit of worry! I have also been warm overnight, I don't know if it qualifies as night sweats but I've been sweating at night. The weather is warmer though so I don't know if I'm just too warm, but this combined with the lump is where the worry is. I'm almost 39, and had been wondering if I was perimenopausal but it feels a tad early. 
     

    I am hoping that the swollen lymph node above my collar bone is vaccine related, I'm seeing things about six weeks to go down etc now, so perhaps the doctor has jumped the gun a little? I have 3 children, 2 of which are under 5, so I'm feeling quite anxious. I won't know for another week! 
     

    Sending positive vibes to everyone's way here, I wonder if there will be a link to the vaccine for this sort of thing. 
     

    edited to add - it's my left side, the same side my as second vaccine four weeks ago