Swollen lymph nodes in neck

Hello, 

 

I've been following these forums for a while, but this is my first time posting. I found a swollen cervival lymph node approximately 6 months ago, on the left side of my neck. I kept an eye on it but I was too scared to go to the doctors, which I know is ridiculous, but I have anxiety and I suppose I just wanted to block it out. It's about the size of a pea at its biggest. It hasn't got any bigger, if anything it sometimes feels smaller and fluctuates in size, however a few more small one's have now popped up. Also the lymph nodes under my jaw are now quite swollen and tender. I did have covid about a month ago, and I've only noticed these new ones since then, however they are still there and now I'm worried sick. 

 

I've just seen the doctor, who had a feel and has referred me for an ultrasound and also a chest X-ray as a precaution. I knew he was going to do this, from reading all of your posts on here, however as soon as he did I broke down, as it made it feel so real. I know that's the only way to find out, but I have convinced myself that it's something serious and I can't ignore it anymore. I'm just so scared. I don't know what I'm looking for really, but I know many people on here have had similar experiences. If anyone would like to share their experience or if you're going through the same right now, then maybe we can support eachother. Thanks for reading. 

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  • Just an update in case anyone comes across this post. I will keep updating, as I know this forum has helped me so much and its always good to hear the final outcome, either way. 

    So, I called the hospital and I'm booked in for a chest x-ray in a few weeks. However, the ultrasound of my neck is going to be at least 16 weeks! So I have called a private hospital and I'm going to have my scan done there to speed things up. 

    I checked my notes from the GP on my online records and the GP is concerned and put the referral through as URGENT. However, there is also a comment stating 'doesn't appear to meet the 2ww criteria.' So although this is a good sign that the GP hasn't put it through as the two week referral, during my appointment he was concerned and said he wanted it done urgently. So on the one hand I'm thinking I should just wait as the GP can't be that concerned, but on the other hand, there is no way I can wait 16 weeks with this worry. So the cost of the scan will be worth it, even if just to save me 16 weeks of worry and give me some answers. Apparently I'll get the scan results there and then. X 

  • Hi, I am also playing the waiting game for a swollen lymph node diagnoses. My lump is in the right side of my neck and has been present for around 6/7 moths but getting bigger.

    I had a GP referral (non urgent) for an ultrasound which happened just over a week ago. The Dr took two biopsies and said that my results would be fastracked and the the hospital would be taking over my care. 

    I have an appointment with the haematology consultant on the 24th and the wait is really starting to get me down. I'm trying to stay busy and distract myself but it's tricky at times.

    Sending you strength and support xxx

  • Aww I've been thinking of you today. I'm so sorry you haven't got the results today. I really hope they come back soon with some good news. The wait must be awful. 

    Yes there's a really good chance that it's nothing to worry about and hopefully this will all be a distant memory soon. I hope you make a quick recovery and feel better soon. Xxx

  • Oh thank you so much for that reply, firstly- the anxiety is so raw and you seem to understand perfectly, and secondly- you have had your ultrasound and have been given good news so it's great for me to hear this type of story.


    I'm so pleased to hear that your Dr's have given you some type of reassurance. I know it's never enough for the anxious mind and we continue to terrorise ourselves with 'what if's'!! I'm sure you will get a handle on this in time. I have found limiting the amount of times I allow myself to touch my raised glands has helped me have calmer periods throughout the day. 
     

    I am praying that tomorrow brings some sort of reassurance for me. It is an appointment with a consultant- I have no idea if I will get an ultrasound there and then or if he will just order one for the future and I'll be back to the waiting game. But I'll be one step closer to knowing what these pesky glands are all about. 
     

    On the plus side, I managed to get a full 8 hours sleep last night without taking any sleep aids.. which is the most I've had for weeks, possibly months.

    Thanks again for your lovely response, it has been so helpful. I'll pop back in tomorrow if I remember and let you know how it went at the hospital. 
     

    Danielle xxxxx

  • Rose- I totally feel your pain as I'm in this covid boat too!! So sorry you weren't able to get your results, but as you say, this isn't an indication of anything to worry about- it's merely an annoyance! 
    Hope you and your daughter are feeling OK? My girls have it too (spreading like wildfire at the school) but thankfully we have all been alright. I haven't got much of an appetite right now anyway which means I haven't missed my tatsebuds too much! Xx

  • I'm so glad you had a good night's sleep. 

    Yes I'm much calmer now I have stopped messing with them too, but I know how difficult it can be. It's like we automatically touch them without realising sometimes. Don't get me wrong, I am so happy that my ultrasound went well and it has stopped most of my worry. I just still have a little niggle, which I think is normal whilst waiting for more tests and since I've spent so long convinced that it's got to be serious. But I feel much better than I did. Like you said, our own mind terrorise us. We can be our own worst enemy sometimes. 

    I really hope it goes well for you tomorrow. Yes I'm not sure what they'll do, as I was referred for the tests directly from my GP and I went private for the ultrasound to save such a long wait. But hopefully you get some reassurance, at least. 

    I hope both your Daughter's and RoseDreams and your daughter are all feeling better soon. It's the worst timing, when you already have so much worry going on. Myself and my Daughters had Covid in October and they were absolutely fine. I was unwell but nothing major, thankfully. Don't forget that any more lymph nodes that pop up now, could be down to that if you've recently had covid.

    Good luck tomorrow...I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you xxx 

  • Hi Danielle and Sallx, 

    Just checking in to say hi and hope you're both doing ok?

    Letting you know that you're both doing great and you will get through this and will soon be feeling lots better xxx

     

  • Oh bless you, that's so lovely. I hope you and your daughter are feeling ok. 

    I hope you're managing to take your mind off it all too whilst waiting for the results. It's all going to be ok and just pop on here anytime you need to talk. 

    Sending lots of love xxx

  • Hi Sallx and Rose,

    Thanks for the lovely replies, hope you're both feeling well today? 

    I had my hospital appt with the consultant. He was really lovely but as predicted, just referred me for an ultrasound of the raised glands, which will be in the next two weeks. So I have a further two weeks of fear  

    On the plus side, he struggled to locate both the raised glands that I can feel and said he doesn't really feel anything (they're definitely there as the GP felt them). I said you have to press really hard to feel the one above my collarbone and he said- if I needed to worry about a gland I'd be able to feel it, I wouldn't need to press hard. 

    I told him I'd also been having a low level dull pain in my abdomen but he wrote this off as anxiety. I'm still concerned it's more than that as it's been constant for two weeks. It's not sore to the touch but it's almost like a minor stitch. I'm hoping they will scan there too just to be sure. 

    Have you had any news yet Rose? How's your anxiety been today Sallx? Xx

  • Hey Danielle,

    I'm so glad your appointment went well - sounds like you had a good and thorough consultant. Sorry you have further waiting but great news that he's not overly concerned. 

    No news here unfortunately but my consultant said approx a week which would take us to next Wed so fingers crossed it won't be too much longer. I'm also expecting a call from a clinical nurse specialist next week so I'll try to prep some questions ready over the weekend xxx

    I hope you both enjoy the weekend and keep us posted xxx

  • Aww I'm glad your consultant was nice and that he has referred you for tests. Its good that he can't really feel the lymph nodes! I think they can sometimes feel bigger to us than they actually are. And I know that two weeks will feel like a lifetime, but try anything you can to take your mind off it and to take some reassurance from what the doctor has said. Sorry you've been having pain in your abdomen. Is it a particular side? It can be frustrating when they put things down to anxiety as sometimes it feels like they're just palming you off, but then anxiety can cause a lot of symptoms so it's hard to know. I know last week I was questioning myself loads as I just didn't know what was caused by anxiety and what wasn't. 

    I'm okay thanks. I'm not thinking about it constantly now, so that's good. But I am still worried about the chest x-ray on Monday in case they find something. Tonight I was shampooing my hair and my head hurt, so I had a feel and found a lump on my head! I haven't bumped it or anything so I've no idea what it is. It's probably completely unrelated but I'm sick of finding lumps everywhere. 

    Anyway, sorry for the moan. Rose, I'm so sorry you are still waiting for your results. It must be so difficult. Its good that you're going to prep some questions, as it's easy to forget them in the moment. You're both being amazingly strong and hopefully all of this worry will have been for nothing. Stay strong lovelies Xxx

  • Morning lovely,

    I'm the same, I feel like it's one thing after another! When you're conscious and anxious about your health, you seem to keep finding more things wrong! 
    I thought I would feel more relaxed last night, but I've gone the opposite way and feel more tense. Didn't sleep well, am worrying about this pain in my side :-( which of course just makes it worse. 
    I hope we all manage a decent weekend! I'll be thinking of you Monday- let us know how it goes. No doubt it'll be another example of feeling worried for nothing, but even so, I'm sending you the best of luck xx

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  • Morning lovely,

    I'm the same, I feel like it's one thing after another! When you're conscious and anxious about your health, you seem to keep finding more things wrong! 
    I thought I would feel more relaxed last night, but I've gone the opposite way and feel more tense. Didn't sleep well, am worrying about this pain in my side :-( which of course just makes it worse. 
    I hope we all manage a decent weekend! I'll be thinking of you Monday- let us know how it goes. No doubt it'll be another example of feeling worried for nothing, but even so, I'm sending you the best of luck xx

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