Concerned about swollen lymph nodes

I'm not asking for someone to diagnose me. I'm currently in contact with my GP and I'm still waiting for a referral for ENT (five months so far). I wanted to share my story and see if anyone has had similar experiences. I've been feeling quite alone with this, to talk about it with people who may have had similar experiences may help. 

About eight months ago, I got a lump on my neck. My ears would block constantly, swollen eyes, dizziness, tiredness, freezing, none stop headaches/migraines. I've been given nasal sprays, antibiotics, blood test for thyroid - nothing worked. I had a wisdom tooth removed and my headaches did reduce, but never left. I returned back to the doctor and received my referral to neurology and ENT (five months ago). I received an ultrasound scan which they said didn't look cancerous, but definitely swollen (five months ago).

I noticed myself getting sicker in the last week. I rang a pharmacy at the weekend and explained my swollen lymph node on the right hand side of my neck is sore, painful and has doubled in size. The opposite has swollen and I have a new lump on my thyroid gland. They informed me to ring 111. I did and they told me to speak to my GP the next day (Monday). Monday was my worse day. I couldn't eat, I was in pain and all the rest of the above symptoms. I can cope well for work but spend my time at home resting. I noticed areas of my body getting itchy (still occuring) - particularly on lymph glands. As I itched the back of my left shoulder, I noticed it had swollen and opposite side hadn't. An hour later, the other side was swollen. My collar bone started to hurt, behind my ears, upper back, lower back, armpit and groin (this felt achy). I've been having pain in my chest, centre - to the point where it is too painful for the shower to spray on my chest. This can reduce my appetite too. These areas are still uncomfortable now and if touched, they hurt. I'm waiting on my blood tests now and my doctor has made an emergency referral for another ultrasound.

I do not have a diagnosis and I'm hoping to get one soon with help from the doctor and ENT. I just hope I'm doing everything right what I've done so far and any stories or advice is most welcome. 

 

 

  • Hey lovley, I don't have any advice, but I can most definitely sympathise with you. I'm sorry your feeling so poorly at the moment and hope you get some answers soon. I found a lump in my neck in October, it was very small, about the size of a pea, a painless, rubbery. It's now the size of a marble. I went to the doctor as I've also been having severe body pains, crazy whole body itching, night sweats and shortness of breathe. When I went to the doctor she found 4 lumps in total. She referred me to the haematologist who said it wasn't for them to look into and they then urgently referred me too ENT. Waiting for an appointment. I know it's nice to talk to people when your worried, so here if you need to chat! 

  • I am new to this my son is going through the same thing he's 19 he's eating loads did lose weight but he have put a little bit back on he have had blood tests which come back normal except he is lacking in vitamins which he don't eat the right food he has a few swolllen lympth nodes the doctor said they are smooth and dont think they are sinister but she have arranged a x-ray because he got so many I am at my wits end worrying 

  • I hope you've managed to get an appointment. 

     

    A hard lump has appeared on my chest and I'm just so confused by it all. All my bones in that region can throb at times, it's truly uncomfortable. People have felt my chest and can feel the raised mass. I'm so exhausted. I'm really just fighting through. I want answers, it's been too long.

  • I hope your son gets better soon and he gets the care he deserves! We never stop worrying as parents

  • Hi there,

    I am to an extent basically going through the same thing you are. About a year ago I suddenly had continuous dizziness spells, constant headaches, fatigue etc and things have still lingered on to this day. My ears constantly feel blocked so I have to constantly pop them, I get strange sensations in my head almost like a band is around my head, swollen neck glands the whole time, pain behind the eye and my eyesight in general hasn't been the same, it's almost like my eyes find it harder adjusting from close to afar and vice versa.

     

    ive has numerous blood tests, nasal sprays for the ear thing and reaction studies from the GP and nothing came up and the nasal spray didn't work. I've got a referral to a neurologist now but I'm worried sick about what that could bring. It's the sense of not feeling the same as I did before it all started in the form of these sensations in my head

  • I have my neurology appointment next week and ENT the following. I've waited six months for these appointments. 

     

    I've perked up at the moment, still have my symptoms but I'm not as drained. I currently have a hard lump on my chest (near my collarbone), my doctor brought me in to check up on me today. She was going to rush the ENT, but luckily I got my appointment. 

     

    I'll update when I get more news. I'm hoping to get an idea of what's going on soon. 

     

    Take care of yourself, I hope you get some answers soon, nothing worse than being in limbo. 

  • I hope all goes fine at the appointment. I can't say I relate to any lumps anywhere other than the glands on my neck, but if our  symptoms are similar whose to say these could not come along in future.

     

    I totally agree being in limbo sucks. And googling doesn't help at all as you probably have also found out the hard way. I guess anything that can be done that makes someone feel completely themselves again though is worth it, as I can imagine (like me) whilst all this has been going on you've had this sense of it constantly in your mind and consuming yourself at times.

     

    let me know how it goes and what they say, try not to worry too much at this stage though, something that I know is annoying when people say as it's easier said than done :)

  • Thank you for your kind words. I'm keeping it chill, my bloods all came back fine and my Xray is fine too. It makes no sense... I'm hoping they could offer more information. We will see!