Swollen lymph nodes in neck

 

Hey all!

So I discovered a couple of swollen lymph nodes in my neck 7 weeks ago and went to see my GP straight away. He had a feel and said they were probably due to an infection or one I'm about to have and to come back in around 4 weeks if they are still there.

4 weeks later they were still there and I hadn't had any kind of infection, so had some blood tests which were fine. Then I went for an Ultrasound, where he found 4 enlarged lymph nodes in the neck of an abnormal structure, the largest being 18mm, I can still only feel two, they recommended an ENT opinion.

As a result of ENT referral, I had a MRI yesterday and have a FNA biopsy on Thursday, just not sure what to think.

I have no other symptons and feel as normal as ever, has anyone had a similar experience? All the wait is so hard!

  • Hi Sam

    I'm in a similar situation at the moment.

    I found a lump in my collarbone area about 5 weeks ago, I went to see the doctor the next day (luckily). He said it wasn't normal so referred me to see a ENT consultant at a Bupa hospital within 2 weeks. During the appointment she checked my ears, nose and throat and did a couple of examinations on me. She said 'oh I think it's muscle but I'll send you for a us scan'

     

    Last Wednesday I had my us scan on my neck and received a call later that day to say I had enlarged, unhealthy lymph nodes in my supraclavicular area (collarbone) on both sides. I went in to panic mode. The consultant said these needed looking in to by having a CT scan followed by a ultrasound guided biopsy. 
     

    I had my CT scan last night at 7pm and my ultrasound biopsy is booked in for next Thursday which is my birthday. Not great but at least it's getting done. 
     

    Apparently the radiologist is the one who 'suspects' these things and can tell by the size, shape and consistency what it could be.

    I have been told I have possible Lymphoma but it could also be sarcoidosis or another auto immune disease. 
     

    I have done nothing but cry for 4 weeks being terrified of the outcome, I have 2 young children under 4. 
     

    I hope you get some answers soon x

  • Thanks for your reply Jen, the waiting is so terrible isn't it!

    Ive been private too, so managed to get stuff done quite quickly, the ENT doctor who referred me thinks I should have the MRI and Biospy results by next Wednesday.

    I hope things go well for you, whichever way it goes, I think having answers will make things easier overall, do you have any other symptons too? x

  • Hi Sam

    i have no symptoms at all, I haven't even had a cold in recent months I feel great. 

    The consultants specialist nurse is trying to push my biopsy forward but I think the demand is so high they are struggling at the moment. 
     

    Did they give you any indication off the ultrasound scan what it could be?

    Have you got lumps both sides? xx

     

    the waiting is awful, I've googled day and night diagnosing myself with alsorts 

  • Hey Jen,

    Get off Google honestly, it just makes you feel so bad, I was doing it loads but have tried to stay off it last few days, and feel better doing so. 

    My ENT doctor said the ultrasound is so dependent on who is carrying it out, remember it can never diagnose anything, only give an opinion. Only a biopsy can diagnose Lymphoma. Have you gone private for your biopsy too?

    I have lumps on one side of my neck.

    It's a good sign you don't have any other symptons, think positive, I'll have my fingers crossed for you! x

     

     

  • Ah it's terrible isn't it, the support nurse was telling me today that google just tells us the bad stories, which is so true. 
     

    I was referred in to the NHS for the biopsy the wait is the same time unfortunately. I'm hoping they have an earlier date for me so we get some answers and know what we are dealing with. 
     

    how are you feeling regarding it all?

    I had a similar situation 3 years ago, suspected bowel cancer and it was a polyp. The health anexiety started then and hasn't gone.

    I hope you get on ok, keep me updated and let me know. 
     

    Xx
     
     

  • I'm just keeping it to myself and not really talking to anyone about anything, just pretending everything is fine to friends, I just don't know what to feel really, I've never had anything like this before.

    I will do, please keep me updated how you get on too, just try not to think the worse, whatever the outcome, we will get through this. x

     

  • Hey 

    let me know how you get on I've had a lump in the side of my mouth in front of where my tonsils used to be. Also lymph nodes behind both ears are enlarged and i have one enlarged near my maniable and gum on left side waited two weeks so far for my referral and no letter yet pretty worried.

     

     

  • I've just had some reassuring news from my ENT consultant who rang with my MRI results ahead of the FNA biopsy.

    The MRI show some enlarged nodes on the left hand side of the neck with the largest on the high side but still within normal scale of 1.4cm, the ultrasound said it was 1.8 cm.

    Also unlike the Ultrasound, they all look like they have a normal structure so seems like the Ultrasound wasn't accurate here either.

    I feel a bit better ahead of the biopsy tomorrow, which will hopefully give a better idea of the cause.

  • Hi Sam

    In glad you got a bit of good news, how was the biopsy yesterday? 
     

    I have mine on my birthday next Thursday. 
     

    dreading it xx

     

  • Hey Jen,

    The biopsy was not as bad as I thought, the doctor was really good and reassured my again as he looked around with an Ultrasound before doing the procedure, so it's a good opportunity to ask any questions on your mind.

    I got my results today and the lymph nodes are reactive so good news.

    I hope all goes well tomorrow, do let me know how you get on and Happy Birthday too! x