Swollen lymph node-Chest X-ray and Bloods.

[Mav]

Okay so I had a doctors appointment for a cervical swollen lymph node yesterday. She told me it feels benign and 'reactive' but I told her I haven't been ill or anything.

She wants a chest X-ray and bloods to eliminate anything serious. (The fact that she wants the chest X-ray makes me feel worried does that mean she thinks it's serious? or is she just trying to save her ass incase it is serious?).

I'm trying not to get myself into a state over it, but I always do.

I'm getting both done on tuesday but GOD I can't stop thinking of all the possible things that might show up

Lymphoma is my biggest worry

How can I make myself calmer?

[almamatters]

It sounds like your doctor is being thorough by arranging further tests for you, does not necessarily mean they think it's serious, just a doctor doing their job.

The fact that she said your node felt benign is a good thing, i have 2 nodes behind my ear, which swell up from time to time they have been classed as reactive but not to anything serious it seems, as I have had them for years, nodes can swell for all kinds of reasons.

I can understand you are anxious about your tests, i get nervous and cry during most of my scans! but I'm sure it will be ok.

[Fishmanpa]

It's called "CYA" (cover your ass) medicine. She doesn't feel anything s wrong and is covering her hiney. All will be clear I'm quite sure

Positive thoughts

[Mav]

Oh dear, medical tests tomorrow :( So scared, the lymphnode is still rather large and swollen.

Trying not to think too much about it but scared. Thank you for the advice.

[GlassPinata]

It scares me just reading this. :(
Mostly because I have a similar issue (swollen cervical lymph node that seemed to pop out of nowhere, when I haven't been sick), and I'm sure that I too ought to be seeing a doctor and having some tests. But since I'm in the US and uninsured since my divorce and rather poor, I have no way to see a doctor at this time.
I think your tests will come out fine, though. But I certainly understand your fear.
The wait for results will be the hard part, although perhaps you won't wait long for the xray results.... don't they usually read those pretty much on the spot?
Good luck tomorrow. I'll say a little prayer right now.

[Mav]

It scares me just reading this. :(
Mostly because I have a similar issue (swollen cervical lymph node that seemed to pop out of nowhere, when I haven't been sick), and I'm sure that I too ought to be seeing a doctor and having some tests. But since I'm in the US and uninsured since my divorce and rather poor, I have no way to see a doctor at this time.
I think your tests will come out fine, though. But I certainly understand your fear.
The wait for results will be the hard part, although perhaps you won't wait long for the xray results.... don't they usually read those pretty much on the spot?
Good luck tomorrow. I'll say a little prayer right now.

Here in the UK if anything worrying has been detected they usually call your house and I feel like I'm going to jump at every phone call for the next few days. I need to meet the doctor in 10 days. :(

I hope it isn't serious although I will update the thread regardless.

I hope you can manage to see a doctor soon but it's likely you will be just fine! Mine is rather large which is why I worry and it protrudes when I twist my neck :(

I hope it isn't serious, I really don't want to have to deal with that kind of stress

God bless, I'm sure we are fine. I've spoken to a few friends who have swollen lymphnodes in their neck and they are fine, I think the anxiety makes it all so much worse.

[SighNoMore]

May, I hope that you have peace and good news very soon! I went through a huge lymphoma scare several years ago. I'm so sorry you are worried. I pray and hope it's nothing. I agree, your doctor is likely just covering all the bases.

---------- Post added at 20:57 ---------- Previous post was at 20:49 ----------

GlassPinata, I hope and pray your node goes back to normal as well. I spent a better part of a year obsessed with the size of some and shape. The constant checking was such a habit. I always had a mental checklist of what it should feel like and would examine myself for swelling and protrusions all the time.

It's so hard when there is an actual issue and being able to process it rationally. The voice of anxiety speaks so much louder. We have to try and remember we are more powerful than that voice.

[NancyW]

Looking for an update Mav, how did it go?

[Mav]

Looking for an update Mav, how did it go?

Hi, sorry I haven't had my laptop for a week so I'm typing this from my phone. I did the X-Ray and bloods on Wednesday last week. It been a week and I haven't heard anything back so I hope that's good news. I will call the up soon and update this thread.

However I'm still worried about that node. It's 2cms, thin and moveable but when I tilt my head in a certain direction it looks almost grape sized. Even when my head is straight I can ever so slightly see where the swelling is.

I can't stop feeling like even if all the tests come back normal that they've missed something because this is a rather large node that popped up out of nowhere :(

---------- Post added at 11:59 ---------- Previous post was at 11:55 ----------

May, I hope that you have peace and good news very soon! I went through a huge lymphoma scare several years ago. I'm so sorry you are worried. I pray and hope it's nothing. I agree, your doctor is likely just covering all the bases.

---------- Post added at 20:57 ---------- Previous post was at 20:49 ----------

GlassPinata, I hope and pray your node goes back to normal as well. I spent a better part of a year obsessed with the size of some and shape. The constant checking was such a habit. I always had a mental checklist of what it should feel like and would examine myself for swelling and protrusions all the time.

It's so hard when there is an actual issue and being able to process it rationally. The voice of anxiety speaks so much louder. We have to try and remember we are more powerful than that voice.

Thankyou for your kind words. I've tried to keep myself busy and away from googling how a node should feel.

My biggest worry is its size, it's exactly 2cm from what I feel. I'm trying now to panic over it if the tests come out fine but there is still the anxiety telling me that they have missed something.
It's a vicious circle really.

[NancyW]

No update yet ?