manda95
01-04-16, 20:01
Hello everyone!
Quick recap: I'm a 20 year old female. Smoke/drug free, drink on occasion. I've had a painless swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck for about a month (I discovered it March 7th, but have no idea how long it's actually been there) and ongoing left-sided throat issues for over 2 years. I was supposed to go to the ENT when I discovered the node, but that fell through due to insurance reasons. I went to urgent care the same day, tested for strep (no symptoms and never suspected it) and was prescribed antibiotics. The NP at urgent care wasn't worried about the node because she figured it was due to the strep, but sent me a referral for an ultrasound to ease my mind. I had the ultrasound done a few weeks ago (March 16th), and the dimensions came out to be 1.8 x 1.6 x 1.0, I believe. The radiologist couldn't tell much so he suggested a CT scan, so naturally, I freaked.
I went to my PCP and had blood work. All came back normal, except something with my thyroid, but it didn't seem that "urgent" as I haven't had a follow up yet. I don't know what exactly it is, the receptionist who phoned me to tell me didn't really seem to know what she was talking about.
Anyway, due to insurance issues again, my insurance declined my CT scan, so my PCP suggested going to an endocrinologist and gave me a referral, but the closest one that accepts my insurance is far away, and it's hard to make time for that "soon".
The antibiotics (twice a day for 10 days) didn't really seem to do much and I haven't felt a noticeable difference with my throat or the lymph node. From what I can tell the node is located in between the left "sternocleidomastoid muscle", and my glands/throat bone (whatever thats called). I can only feel it when I stick my neck out funny, and it is not visible even when I feel it. So basically, the only reason I felt it to begin with was because I was looking for it. It's moveable, but doesn't feel "soft". It definitely hasn't gotten bigger, and sometimes I think it's gotten smaller but not by much (especially when I don't touch it for awhile), but if anything, it feels like it's stayed the same size.
I'm petrified of lymphoma because you always hear about that whenever you research a painless swollen lymph node. Whenever I'm itchy, I panic. Whenever I get hot, I panic. Whenever I'm tired after work, I panic.
Physically, I have felt completely fine otherwise, I'm constantly checking my temp throughout the day, and even when I'm "hot" I don't have a fever. I'm not as active as I'd like but overall I'm pretty healthy, I deal with year round allergies (sneezing, post-nasal drip), but I've hardly been sick over the past few years.
This whole ordeal has been dragged out for a month, and I can't ever find anything out quick, between my insurance and waiting for appointments or results. This is driving me crazy and I've been quite depressed. Suffering from GED as it is, you can imagine what that's been like also... It's become an obsession, sucking the happiness and any thought of a future out of me.
My question is, do you think this lymph node would stay pretty much the same size or gotten noticeably bigger after a month if it's something to seriously worry about - whether it's lymphoma, something related to my throat issues, or something else that is sinister? I am always reading conflicting things on the internet and I don't know what to think and I'm just so tired. I know I can't be diagnosed over the internet but I'm truly at my wits end and would love to hear anyones input, or anyones experience with what I'm going through...
Thanks:)
Quick recap: I'm a 20 year old female. Smoke/drug free, drink on occasion. I've had a painless swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck for about a month (I discovered it March 7th, but have no idea how long it's actually been there) and ongoing left-sided throat issues for over 2 years. I was supposed to go to the ENT when I discovered the node, but that fell through due to insurance reasons. I went to urgent care the same day, tested for strep (no symptoms and never suspected it) and was prescribed antibiotics. The NP at urgent care wasn't worried about the node because she figured it was due to the strep, but sent me a referral for an ultrasound to ease my mind. I had the ultrasound done a few weeks ago (March 16th), and the dimensions came out to be 1.8 x 1.6 x 1.0, I believe. The radiologist couldn't tell much so he suggested a CT scan, so naturally, I freaked.
I went to my PCP and had blood work. All came back normal, except something with my thyroid, but it didn't seem that "urgent" as I haven't had a follow up yet. I don't know what exactly it is, the receptionist who phoned me to tell me didn't really seem to know what she was talking about.
Anyway, due to insurance issues again, my insurance declined my CT scan, so my PCP suggested going to an endocrinologist and gave me a referral, but the closest one that accepts my insurance is far away, and it's hard to make time for that "soon".
The antibiotics (twice a day for 10 days) didn't really seem to do much and I haven't felt a noticeable difference with my throat or the lymph node. From what I can tell the node is located in between the left "sternocleidomastoid muscle", and my glands/throat bone (whatever thats called). I can only feel it when I stick my neck out funny, and it is not visible even when I feel it. So basically, the only reason I felt it to begin with was because I was looking for it. It's moveable, but doesn't feel "soft". It definitely hasn't gotten bigger, and sometimes I think it's gotten smaller but not by much (especially when I don't touch it for awhile), but if anything, it feels like it's stayed the same size.
I'm petrified of lymphoma because you always hear about that whenever you research a painless swollen lymph node. Whenever I'm itchy, I panic. Whenever I get hot, I panic. Whenever I'm tired after work, I panic.
Physically, I have felt completely fine otherwise, I'm constantly checking my temp throughout the day, and even when I'm "hot" I don't have a fever. I'm not as active as I'd like but overall I'm pretty healthy, I deal with year round allergies (sneezing, post-nasal drip), but I've hardly been sick over the past few years.
This whole ordeal has been dragged out for a month, and I can't ever find anything out quick, between my insurance and waiting for appointments or results. This is driving me crazy and I've been quite depressed. Suffering from GED as it is, you can imagine what that's been like also... It's become an obsession, sucking the happiness and any thought of a future out of me.
My question is, do you think this lymph node would stay pretty much the same size or gotten noticeably bigger after a month if it's something to seriously worry about - whether it's lymphoma, something related to my throat issues, or something else that is sinister? I am always reading conflicting things on the internet and I don't know what to think and I'm just so tired. I know I can't be diagnosed over the internet but I'm truly at my wits end and would love to hear anyones input, or anyones experience with what I'm going through...
Thanks:)