lymph nodes

[moggy]

I went to my docs today and he said i have a swollen lymph node in the right side of my neck ... im scared , i have been doing my nut over it , thinking i have cancer etc ... however my doc only wants me to go for bloodtests in 4 weeks time ... should i take it as the doc thinks it is nothing serious or should i be worried .. any advice please

thanks

moggy x

[RJP]

Hi, its surreal to read your thread as swollen lymph nodes on the back of my neck was what started my HA, I too had a swollen one and I almost lost my mind over it with worry, I saw three different docs and even two paramedics. That was nearly two years ago and I am still here and my lymph node still comes up at times. They come up whenever you have an infection. amd mine even comes up when I am feeling well. I also found out the more you touch it the more swollen it gets.

I am sure its fine, know its hard to believe as I have been there and sometimes am still doing it with mine but I am still here. x

[helpmepleas99]

Hey, please don't worry! If your doc says that it's nothing to be alarmed about, they are probably right!

Two weeks ago I massaged my neck because it was so painful (muscle and tension pain). An hour after massaging (quite heavily), I noticed the front and sides of my neck entirely swollen (and swollen lymph nodes too). There wasn't much pain in the swollen area, but it was VERY tender... when I touched it, my neck felt really soft and full of water.

I think I annoyed my nerves by massaging the back of my neck vigorously. I was fine in 2-3 days.

What was annoying was that I googled 'swollen neck'/'swollen lymph nodes in neck', and they all suggested an infection, but I had ZERO other symptoms.

[unweave]

I've done a lot of research on the lymphatic system, and although I'm NO doctor you have no reason to panic. The body is a funny thing.. it's complex and beautiful and totally confusing. I mean, I've learned this, and I have to curb my appetite of googling symptoms, but really you won't learn anything from WebMD or random health websites that try to help to diagnose. It's so easy to say this but so hard to do; but you have to be proactive. If you think you're at risk for something, the common cold or cancer or what have you, you have to see a doctor, even a nurse. They'll ease your mind, and if they have to they'll run tests to reassure you. I find myself always checking my glands to see if something's swollen, but even if they are... I can't fix it myself. You have to help yourself and love yourself enough to ease your fears and speculation.

My guess is, you're TOTALLY okay! So what if you have the flu? It's viral anyway, and it'll leave your system when it's ready. Fear not! :)

[moggy]

Thanks for that... i have had various bloods done over the past few months since i started with panic attacks etc , all clear , seen to ent specialists and nothing ,, im just scared cus cancer is my health anxiety at the moment... i googled and it just kept coming up with cancer etc ... i have no infection symptoms except a permanent stuffy nose

thanks

moggy x

[meg86]

Hey Moggy :)

Im sure it is nothing to worry about, also if your lymph nodes are pea sized they are not considered enlarged, but avoid prodding and poking as this can keep them up.

I have a grape sized lymph node under my jaw that has never gone down, i noticed it nearly a year ago and it worried me alot but my doctor said its nothing for concern and alot of people have these.

Also allergies can cause your nodes to enlarge, as you have a stuffy nose you might be fighting of a mild cold or allergy which can cause them to enlarge.

I have lots you can feel that are pea sized, i think if you asked most people to check they would feel theirs to! doctor said they are nothing.

Try not to worry this is very common, you can even search lymph nodes and there are hundreds of posts on this subject on this forum.

Take Care and stay away from google!!

[moggy]

Thanks Meg

I have read a lot of posts and feel a little reassured....however , since having panic attacka a few months ago , i have been paranoid about my health .... i had two blood tests done 7 weeks ago , do you think they would of shown up any abnormality ?.. I had a fasting one and a non fasting one... my doc said yesterday the bloods were clear several weeks ago , but asked me to go in four weeks if the swelling remains, im sure if she thought something was seriously wrong , she would of made me go today .... do you think im being irrational with all my fears

[meg86]

Hey :)

Yes your anxiety is making this a bigger deal than it is, if it was something like cancer something would show up on your bloods definately!! you dont have cancer hun i can guarantee it.

You are not alone though, anxiety makes us feel scared about our health, i get this to but i know im perfectly healthy, but anxiety makes us question everything!! xx

[moggy]

I suppose your right , im prodding every part of my boby , i have prodded my shoulder that hard its inflamed .... i need to get a grip .. thanks for you support

moggy x

[kevin121]

I am also worrying over my neck lymph nodes too! I have had them on each side for months and also 1 in my groin, i first noticed them when i had an ear infection, and after that cleared i am now suffering from an impacted wisdom tooth and gum infection, and even tho ive had a blood test done which came back ok, and had 3 different doctors feel them im still convinced i have lymphoma and its so scary! Im constantly rubbing my neck and feeling my nodes every day and its so hard not too! My neck is aching and i know its from my pressing them but it doesnt end my worry. I have an appointment with ENT on monday, this was scheduled when i was having neck pain and facial swelling before i new i had a tooth problem, but due to my worry ive still kept the appointment because again im needing another opinion, now im scared his gonna say im waisting his time if i know i have a wisdom tooth problem! im currently on antibiotics for this problem and the nodes have never gone down! there pea sized, no bigger, but are a massive concern for me, this is totally taking over my day to day life, i have a 9 month old son and feel im so distant from him and my wife because im in constant worry mode, I honestly feel like crying every day, the second I get up, lymph node check is on my mind! some mornings i feel out of breath, and im guessing this is anxiety! im such a worryier and feel im in so much of a rut right now and cant see no way out! i keep thinking come on kev, your a 24 year old man for godsake, yet im filling up writing this i feel rediculous! This site has helped as whenever I have the fear return, I always log into hear and its definatly reasurring. Has anyone had lymph nodes that have never gone down? I found it hard to accept that a nodes in the groin can come up due to an infection i have going on in my mouth, but my doctor said that if there is an infection in the body, any node can come up it doesnt have to be in the infected area, as the lymphatic system is a linked drainage system. Again ive probably asked this question a thousand times and am terrified im going to keep asking it forever more. My one wish is for this fear to go, enjoy my life and enjoy my little baby boy! Sorry to babble on x