Swollen lymph node in neck. Ultrasound clear but it hurts!

Hi there, happy new year!

 

im struggling to remain positive for 2021 as I have some health worries, and I am feeling that I am being fobbed off by my GP.

 

i just want to be taken seriously so it can be fixed asap!

 

i have had a lump in the collarbone area of my neck / shoulder for a while now.

its measuring around 4-5 cm. doctors aren't worried and I have had an ultrasound on to be told the nodes look normal and the lump is a cluster of nodes.

 

i feel like I have a fullness in that area of my neck / shoulder and it can cause a dull ache in my armpit area too.

 

i feel in my heart of hearts that something is wrong. Google is not my friend and each time it comes up woth lymphoma! 
I don't have any other symptoms but the lump. No night sweats or weight loss etc.

i have a 2nd scan on the 6th January to be sure. As I went back to the gp worried. I had a full blood count and all was normal. 
The doctor doesn't seem worried but something is happening and I'm really not sure what to do.

 

im almost at a stage where I would be disappointed it isn't lymphoma, as at least if it was I can start treatment for it and see if it improves or better goes away! I know that sounds awful but at least it is an answer to this issue.

has anybody else experienced a cluster of nodes and it caused aches etc and pain in that area but they've not been cancerous? 
What was the outcome? Is it just a case of lymph nodes needing to be drained?! 
 

many thanks!!!!

 

sophie 

  • Hi Sophieevelyn90. Welcome to the forum.

    I should start out by saying that I'm not a doctor and I have no medical qualifications.

    It seems to me that you and your GP is doing everything right.  The swollen nodes are normal under an ultrasound scan.  You're aware of the "B" symptoms for lymphoma and so far you don't have any.  Your FBC is normal.  You're going to have a second scan which I think is likely to be clear. 

    Swollen nodes are nearly always caused by an infection, and you could well be suffering from a low grade viral infection. That by itself could be enough to make you feel rotten and depressed; living through a pandemic adds even more stress to the situation.  Are you able to get out of the house, and maybe go for a short walk everyday? You may find that will lift your spirits and things won't look quite to bad.

     

  • Hi telemando!

     

    thank you for your response.

    I think I am worrying because why else am I feeling this pain and discomfort in my neck / shoulder? 
     

    I am planning on phoning my GP again Monday morning, and hassle them a bit more. My scan is on Wednesday but we shall just have to wait and see. 
    I feel like the swollen node has gotten bigger and much more uncomfortable, since the last scan. So I am nervous that this scan will show up that something is wrong.

     

    i have two young children, and I am starting a new job. It's hard to be all positive for the new year ahead when I'm scared it might be a year I am Fighting cancer!

     

    sophie x

  • Hi sophie.

    There are plenty of lymph nodes around the neck and shoulders so it's possible that an infection that affects the nodes near your collarbone could also affect those nodes, too.

  • You're right. Ill try and stay positive x