sherms
17-05-16, 07:48
Hi everyone. I've recently noticed a swollen area in what seems to be the lymph node under my jaw, along the muscle in the inside area of the neck (submandibular I believe). It's persisted for at least four months now. The first time I noticed it, I had cranked me head to wipe something off my cheek onto my shoulder and the lymph node (or some sort of mass) felt like it had pinched. The swelling feels large, about the size of grape, does not hurt, and is mildly movable and firm. It's not rock hard, but it's not really rubbery feeling either.
Fast forward about four months later, and the lymph node area is still enlarged. I went to my doctor who felt it, suspected allergies, ran my blood for allergies, all of which were negative. She also did a CBC, which was fine. She said to come back in a month, which I did last week, if it was still enlarged. It doesn't feel like it's grown, but it also doesn't feel any smaller.
I'm currently scheduled for an ultrasound of the thyroid and neck region later this week and an ENT specialist appointment next week. At this point, I've terrified myself that it's lymphoma, as I have no clue what else could be causing this. How far should I go in trying to diagnose this? I'm worried that an ultrasound won't properly tell me if it's malignant or not, only that it's enlarged.
Either way, I'm scared and can't stop thinking about it, but writing this out has made me feel better.
Fast forward about four months later, and the lymph node area is still enlarged. I went to my doctor who felt it, suspected allergies, ran my blood for allergies, all of which were negative. She also did a CBC, which was fine. She said to come back in a month, which I did last week, if it was still enlarged. It doesn't feel like it's grown, but it also doesn't feel any smaller.
I'm currently scheduled for an ultrasound of the thyroid and neck region later this week and an ENT specialist appointment next week. At this point, I've terrified myself that it's lymphoma, as I have no clue what else could be causing this. How far should I go in trying to diagnose this? I'm worried that an ultrasound won't properly tell me if it's malignant or not, only that it's enlarged.
Either way, I'm scared and can't stop thinking about it, but writing this out has made me feel better.