Enlarged lymph nodes for years

Hi everyone,

I'm after some advise or someone who has had similar symptoms.

I have had enlarged lymph nodes in my right axillia since 2015. They was measured at 2 - 2.5cm back then. I had a scan and following that the doctor at the clinic requested a biopsy when I attended my apoint I was told it was fatty tissue and unlikely to be anything as I was only 30 they sent away and the biopsy was not done. When I went back to the doctor they said that they see these all the time and felt it was nothing to worry about and she requested it only as a precaution.

I have over the last few month started getting pins and needles down my right arm and could feel the lymph node in my armpit when I moved my arm almost like it was being squashed when I put my arm by my side. I have recently been to my doctors who has referred my to the breast clinic as the lymph node feels a lot bigger than before and I have several others enlarged just in that area. Over the last 4 weeks I have started getting night sweats other than that I've not been unwell.

I'm concerned when I go to my appointment that they're going to say its just fatty tissue again and send me away. 

Should I be insisting for a biopsy this time or is it normal for them to be like this.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks for reading. 

 

  • Hello NicPaf

    Your story sounds almost identical to mine - except I am 51. I went to the doctor's last year to get my enlarged axilla lymph nodes ( on both sides) checked out, only to be told it was fatty/breast tissue and nothing to worry about. Now I have a very large, hard-centered lump and another smaller hard lump on my right axilla and am in extreme discomfort and distress. I have been referred for an ultrasound and biopsy if necessary...I am also getting night sweats and have the pins and needles sensations all down that arm to my fingertips.

  • Hi,

    I am so sorry to hear you are experincing very similar symptoms. How soon do you have your appointment? I hope you get the answers you need.

    I had another ultrasound scan today at the breast clinic mine has grown to 3cm and was told again this was just fatty tissue in the lymph nodes, they was going to send me home when I said I didn't feel happy as it had got bigger and my other symptoms were worrying me. They agreed to refer me to haematology but said they probably wouldn't do a biopsy as radiography had said they was just fatty and don't need one. 

    I really hope they're right but I can't stop worrying. Xx

     

  • Hi Nicpaf,

    Good to hear back from you - and your news sounds promising. Definitely worth insisting on follow ups though, until you feel reassured that there's nothing going on beneath the fatty tissue... 

    I had an ultrasound and mammogram one year ago and got the all clear. This time round the nurse who checked me said I should definitely have another ultrasound and a biopsy as the lump is very pronounced and hard - and very different from the other axilla lymph nodes. She said I would be seen within 2 weeks - which is 2 weeks of non stop anxiety and fearing the worst unfortunately...

  • Hi Nicpaf. Sorry to hear you're concerned about your symptoms. It's very positive that the scans came back clear though! Do you mind me asking if your nodes feel hard or soft? Thanks

  • Hey 

     

    i hope you don't mind me asking nearly 2 years on, how did you get on? I hope you got the answers you deserve. I have exactly the same symptoms and am so worried whilst awaiting my breast clinic referral.