Lymphoma Fear

[OutOfExile]

Swollen lymph nodes are an extremely common trigger for health anxiety - the forum is full of posts just like this.

For what it's worth, I had 2 episodes of pretty severe anxiety triggered by something lymph node related. Most recently I noticed one palpable node on the right side of my neck, and a smaller one on my left, where I had absolutely convinced myself was something sinister. Two doctor visits, one CT scan, and a month of blind panic later, turns out it was nothing but my own anxiety. I can still feel them if i look for them, and it's been about 9 months since the first time I noticed them.

What I found extremely helpful was challenging anxious thoughts. For you, focus on the fact that (1) You're not even sure what you're feeling - if even you think it's probably muscle or bone, then it's certainly not clinically swollen lymph nodes. (2) If you think something (swelling in this case) is due to your imagination than it almost certainly is. (3) Appetite loss is a common anxiety symptom, probably due to you getting yourself worked up over lymphoma. (4) As for the lumps on your neck, 'being there all the time' is in fact what all lymph nodes are - they're permanent fixtures and part of our anatomy. Lymphoma tends not to be particularly sneaky - if the lumps haven't swollen to the size of golf balls over the past 4 months, then you're fine.

Hard to see when you're in it, but this sort of thing is just your anxiety running wild. Try to relax and enjoy the new year!

[Halle0587]

I fear this same thing. My mom was diagnosed stage 4 melanoma 2.5 years ago. One tumor removed, a few clinical trial doses (before she wasn't allowed anymore due to stomach issues), she's been NED since her surgery, praise God! I however had HA since before she was diagnosed, only amplified by her diagnosed and the birth of my son. I have to be here for him, so I have to catch things early. It only makes my anxiety worse.

I have had pains behind my knee since around thanksgiving. I was told it was vericose veins making my legs feel heavy. I only have one that I can start to see (spidery veins) behind my left knee. I can't see any on my right. The ARNP I see said they are really under the skin and sometimes can't be seen. Anyway, I have had plantar fasciitis since I was pregnant. I wear flat sandals with zero support (Florida life) and bare foot around the house, I'm a Stay at home mom and online teacher so I'm home often bare foot. I've googled and read the fascia muscle could be to blame, but also Lymphoma. Two drastic sides of the spectrum. It doesn't help that 10 months ago I convinced myself I had lymphoma in my left armpit breast area mostly, but also the right,. I was told there weren't any lumps or swollen nodes and cancer isn't bilateral. I went back every two weeks complaining until I finally got busy and forgot about the pain. Plenty of people on here said it could be anxiety due to tense muscles or spray deodorant helps. Now I have left neck pain, I saw a chiropractor a week and a half ago, didn't help much for too long. I have horrible posture and I am on my phone a lot during nap time and in the evenings. I'm also currently snotty nosed and have popping in my ears (frequent fluid in the ears here) but I've never had this tight feeling in my neck. I don't know that I've ever had visibly swollen lymphnodes either. I don't notice swelling in the mirror, but I definitely feel tense. Today I had my husband check for nodules comparing to the other side. He felt tense muscles only, but he's not an MD so that relief was short lived.
I cried in the shower. I have so much anxiety I hate it. I'd love to leave it back in 2017. I made huge strides last year, (After armpit gate ended at the beginning of April, I was consumed with buying a house so I felt better and distracted, so the rest of the year, until the vein situation in December was doc free!) but this is a definite set back.

[smoothie]

Im sorry for posting so much but I’m in a really bad place at the moment.

I’ve had a small neck lump since September. Maybe I’m imagining it but then one popped up behind it and behind my ears feels lumpy too and give an occasional ache but idk.

Recently, I developed pain in my left armpit. First it was just the occasional ache but now it’s very frequent. Obviously I’m panicking a little. I also get the occasional ache in the area of my spleen in my abdomen. Plus my right hand is really dry but that’s probably because it’s winter and it’s my dominant hand and I’m sensitive to creams.

I don’t know. I had a complete breakdown last night and this morning. It feels like I’m not going to see 2019, despite not actually being diagnosed w anything.

(I don’t have any other lymphoma symptoms or illnesses, but it’s just worry worry worry.)

[smoothie]

Hi all. sorry this isnt in my general health worry thread.

i just feel so miserable. i have had what i think is a swollen node in my neck since september. i was ill with two back to back colds just after i noticed it but it never went down. there is another lump just behind it. i cant feel anything on the other side of my neck.

i think the nodes behind my ears on both sides are bigger too? or maybe im just hyperaware.

im not sure if i have anything in my armpits. cant tell whats a lymph node and whats muscle/ribs/something else.

lastly, and huuuge tmi. but i have a lump in my genital area on both sides of my, well, vagina. could be a cyst but they feel similar to whats in my neck. i dont think they were there before. i thought there werent any nodes right in the genital area but then i read somewhere that there were.

i dont have any other symptoms of lymphoma. no weight loss. no extreme fatigue. no night sweats. no severe itching or fevers. i have lost my appetite and have an almost constant feeling of general unwellness. but i just cant help but be convinced.

its hard for me to make a doctors appt as the only days i can really do so to avoid clashing with uni classes is wednesday and thursday. last week my mum was going to make one for me but she forgot. a few weeks before that I phoned too late and they were fully booked. this week theres a red weather warning for today and tomorrow.

another worry i have is a brain aneurysm. im autistic so i get angry really easily and that makes me worry a lot about my blood pressure. sometimes i feel a sensation in my head and sometimes i feel a twinge in the same area when i yawn.

im sorry. im just so bad, mentally, at the moment

[nomorepanic]

Hi

This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your thread was merged with another of your threads.

Please when posting on similar topics add it onto your previous post rather than starting a new one.

It is nothing personal it is just to make it easier for people to follow your story and to give you advice as a whole.

[au Lait]

I’m sorry you’re having a rough time. Remember that you’re not a doctor, and can’t diagnose yourself. you are most likely feeling things that are normal but assuming the worst due to anxiety. You can’t shake the fear if you’re not doing anything to treat your anxiety. Start with what you know you do have (health anxiety) and go from there. Focus on treating that and give yourself something to concentrate on other than your lymphoma fears.

[muffin2311]

HELLO, EVERYONE, CAN SOMEONE HELP ME. I'm a 17 y/o girl and at the moment I have a bit of a sore throat, a cold and a cough. IS IT NORMAL TO HAVE A SWOLLEN LYMPH NODE BESIDE MY TRACHEA? It's NOT MASSIVE ONLY ABOUT 1.5CM AND ITS MOVEABLE, BUT PAINLESS. i HAVE SEVERE HA IM ON 150MG OF SERTRALINE ATM THANK YOU EVERYONE SOMEONE PLEASE REPLY ASAP, IM FREAKING OUT

[golddustgirl1000]

I've been getting these lately.. in my armpits.. its been alternating armpits for 3-4 weeks now.. one will swell then shrink, then the one next to it swells.. then one pops up in other armpit..

Mine are always painful too.. trying not to worry.