Swollen lymph nodes for 7-8 years
Posted , 101 users are following.
Hello,
I'm a 22 year old male and as the title says I have had swollen lymph nodes in my neck and armpits for almost 8 years. It started when I was around 15 years old with a one or two nodes getting swollen in my neck. The GP said it was nothing so I haven't paid any more attention to them. Over the following few weeks I noticed a few more in my neck and a few in my armpits. They are around 0.5cm - 2.5cm in size, hard, painless and movable and haven't changed in these 7-8 years. I have no other symptoms.
Any help would be appreciated.
5 likes, 186 replies
frenchCha ivan43035
Posted
Hello, french 24 yrs Old female here.
I feel like my experience could reassure many of you. I had swollen nodes for 8 years as I can recall, everywhere in the neck, some in the groin area and one under each armpit. Very mobile, firm, some round under the jaw (normal shape in this area) the other are oval.
I have seen countless doctors about it, may it be general practitioners, dentists, obgyn, my blood was tested over 20+ Times, i underwent 2 abdominal CT scans, 2-3 abdominal ultrasound, two dental x-rays, one lung xray, and two cervical nodes ultrasounds. phew.
Biggest node is 2cm (submandibular area), I even rock small supra clavicular ones and you know what ? They are benign. Boring. I am healthy and young and should not be thinking about them all Day long (or so they say, but I still poke them urgh).
And I can promise you I have been freaking over them for 8 years, since I found them.
The worst part is the doctor laughing at your anxiety or brushing it off. Because even tho they are right and it was proven to be nothing, most of us don't get a final conclusion/answer as to why they're here (and I know Google fuels our fears like no-one).
I just learnt I had mono but never knew about it (blood test showed an Old infection)
-I have a very sensitive oral system (sore throat daily, dry nose, tonsil stones, GERD) so permanent irritations
-also being tested for Hashimoto disease as ultrasound showed thyroïd inflammation (=nodes ?)
-aaand I am diagnosed with hypermobile EDS.
I have been ignoring those conditions only thinking about more serious stuff when it's clear that my actual issues can 'trigger' the nodes to stay.
See, I myself am super frustrated I never got any satisfying answer from the medical team, but it seems like we are many to have this 'variant' profile. Or maybe it's normal but not everyone feel their nodes daily.
For all I know, my Mom has nodes over her collarbone, she's 52 and perfectly fine.
My latest doc even told me to FEEL HER neck nodes. They were hella big to me and she's alive and kickin.
Everybody is different. DON'T Google your symptoms. Try to get more than one feedback regarding your nodes if you're scared. Consider seeking psychiactric help if you are hypocondriac ( I am ), it helps A LOT to TALK about those fears to a professional.
I can tell you that many health providers told me the following : "when I was studying to become a doctor, there was always this one time when the whole class went crazy, because we all thought we had lymphoma, since everyone has nodes they can feel."
Sorry for the very long post. I hope you will find relief in my words, and sorry for the typos. Live long and have fun !!!
huiyu14199 frenchCha
Posted
Hey frenchCha! I'm so glad I've read your post. I discovered I can feel this tiny (rice sized) lump on my jawline last week. It's movable and painless. I was trying to google and actually thought I'm having lymphoma..
I went to see my doctor on Monday. He told me it's a enlarged lymph node, prescribed me some anti-inflammatory medicine, and ordered some blood work for me. I asked him if it's lymphoma. He told it's not (with smiling face)...The blood work comes back normal.
I have been taking the medication for few days now but do not feel the lump is going down. So here I am that's how I find this post. I am going to see another doctor next Monday. TBH I just feel my lymph node is just the way it is..But I feel my health anxiety comes back!!
I am doing cancer research and sometime attend those cancer survivorship events. They are the WORST. I consistently feel I have cancer ..breast, leukemia, and now lymphoma....
I will keep updating. Thank you all for providing a place for me to vent my anxiety out!!
frenchCha huiyu14199
Posted
hey Huiyu14199!
Glad to know your blood tests are normal. Were you also checked for mononucleosis, toxo etc, because those can cause your lymph nodes to stay swollen forever without underlying issues.
Also I woulnd't personally expect the medication to change their size. DON'T worry if they demain the same size, as you stated they are small and under the jaw, which is a common location anyway...my biggest ones are submandibular too and they never were a problem. Those nodes drain most of the oral area, so if you're prone to mouth issues (canker sores, cavities, tonsillitis..), nose/sinus infections, or even acne, it could point to an answer.
Honestly dont read survivors's forum it will mess with your mind ! You don't need to focus on a situation you may never be in, and those testimonies, tho they show strong individuals and hopeful stories, should NOT be part of your daily routine. It will just make your more stressed, and trigger your 'fight or flight' brain response and stress does damages to the body in the long run.
If really you can't get past those nodes (which are here to protect you btw) ask for a node ultrasound. You'll get results during the screening and given the small size of your nodes, you really don't need it. I wish mine were as tiny tbh !
DON'T poke them all the time also. Aslong as they don't grow bigger without a reason(big and painful is common in local infections, I had that for a mere lip wound...), and that you aren't having unusual symptoms for a while (heavy night sweats, weight loss etc) you don't have to check further.
(Remember also that stress/anxiety can lead your body to generate physical symptoms when you in fact are healthy. So try to keep a balanced, relaxed mind.)
And FORCE yourself to stay away from gloomy websites please. See a doctor if you feel your anxiety reaches an emergency state. And mention to your health provider that you currently are stressed over nodes. Otherwise they may not give you proper help/advice/referrals.
Have a nice Day and keep us informed : ) !!
huiyu14199 frenchCha
Posted
Hi frenchCha! Thank you for your kindly words! It means a lot to me. I've read your posts many times over the weekend before seeing my doctor today to calm myself down. This was my first time discovering this lump. I might have had it for a long time without realizing that it was a lymph node. But I'm really scared.
My doc didn't order the mono or toxo test for me. I've only done the CBC and lactate dehydrogenase (LD test). All showed normal results. The next step forward is to get an ultrasound (same as you suggested) in two weeks if the node does not go down. TBH I don't think it will go down in two weeks, so i'll just probably get the ultrasound. But she mentioned it might be hard to get an ultrasound along the jawline. Usually people get neck ultrasound or something. And she doesn't want to order me a CT scan for radiation exposure etc. So I don't know and I will see what test she will order.
The doc told me not to worry about it only if I develop some symptoms (as you mentioned) should I make an appointment as soon as possible. I'm perfectly healthy right now. She said it's unlikely for someone to get lymphoma with the enlarged lymph node along the jawline.
I'm much more calm down right now thanks for the kindly words from you, my friends, and my doctors. You all tell me there is nothing to be worried about. I won't keep poking my nodes and will keep you posted about my ultrasound result. Thank you so so much!!!
frenchCha huiyu14199
Posted
Aww this sounds like good news.
Your doc is careful, and ultrasounds always give an accurate and fast answer. I believe your submandibular node is here to stay just in case you've got an oral infection, and as much as I can recall mine could be clearly seen and measured through ultrasound, it shouldn't be an issue for you.
You'll know its size, shape and nature during or right after the screening, and I have good hopes it's a reactive or inflammatory node, or in other words, a benign one.
Srsly, I have two big ones, one under each side of the jaw, round, super firm and elastic. For eight years. Still have them without any problem whatsoever xD and with such description, I'd still only get death sentences from Google lol!!
I thought they were bad omen till one Day the right one hurt awfully. Thanks to the pain my doctor detected a badly buried wisdom tooth that was messing with the jaw itself !
Both were checked with ultrasound and the person who checked them almost sighed because if how BORING they were (we're talking 2centimeters large node here).
I do believe nodes may react differently based on your body and general health history. Since almost everyone has had mono at some point in their life, even without checking your blood it could come from this.
For now, be reassured for everything is taken care of, don't try to stress over the ultrasound appointement, and let us know how it went ! : )
And remember, nodes are here to protect you, everyone can feel one or more nodes in their necks ; )
All my thoughts are with you !
huiyu14199 frenchCha
Posted
Hi frenchCha! I can't tell you how much your words mean to me! I definitely suffer more from anxiety than having an enlarged lymph nodes. The lymph node there is just painless and invisible. It doesn't bother me at all. It is the health anxiety, the thinking that I might get a terminal disease that bothers me!
I'm 26 female a little bit older than you. As you said, I am young and healthy and should not think about this all day long! I should enjoy my life to the fullest.
Anyways, I just had a long talk with my roommate (Thank god she is a clinical psychologist). She helped me talk through my fears and concerns. Now I am feeling much much better!
I'll keep you posted about my ultrasound appointment. Thank you so so much for your words. It does mean a world to me!
noda49687 ivan43035
Posted
Hi
I don't know if you still following this discussion but i felt like talking to someone, it's been 3 months now since I discovered these swollen lymphs , it started with one under my ear then i just thought it's nothing, then by sudden I discovered 4 others in my neck and around my ears ! I was shocked and then i went to a doctor and gave me an antibiotic for 10 days but they didn't go away or even become smaller so i was very anxious then when i went to him he said he will make a biobsy with fine needle and made some blood test and ESR , the biobsy test came and it was saying that it's a benign tumor and that the doctor have to make an excision biobsy to confirm the diagnosis..
And the blood tests came with high ESR , high lymphocytes and high basophils and very low neutrophils and neut(absolute) also low
But when i went to the doctor he said it's nothing to worry about and that it's probably viral !
But damn it doc it isn't VIRAL !!
I don't have any viral infection!!!
And it's been 10 days since i went to this doc and I'm very anxious , i also suffer from losing weight and feeling sweaty at night and my skin is very itchy and my bones are hurting me for 1 month and half now and he is just saying it's nothing!
and I really don't know what to do or where to go ..
I discovered another two in the last week and I'm really wondering if it's nothing why they are still getting bigger and spreading !
Hope you guys help me ..
kristin60415 noda49687
Posted
I can understand how scary this can be, and I'm sorry you're in this position
Your body is obviously fighting off something, not bacterial since the meds didn't work, and since your ESR is high. Have you been tested for anything else? Like mono? Do you get cold sores? Ive gotten them since I was in middle school... it's herpes type1 virus, so that could cause swollen nodes since you will always have the virus. And have you gotten the full biopsy yet? Once you have that done, I'm sure you would feel a lot better mentally! A full biopsy will give you answers you need. I've had a few nodes in my neck swollen for a long time now, had a CT done back in June and it was normal, although lots of swollen nodes. I let everything go after those good results. However, I've been experiencing pains near some of my joints and occasional pains in my bones as well recently, and I'm waiting to here back about the results from my needle biopsy from 3 days ago. I didn't finish a round of antibiotics about a month ago after a skin infection bc I developed a really high fever, so I'm hoping my new symptoms are a lingering infection from not finishing the antibiotics. And I'll just need a new set of meds to clear it up. We'all see. Keep us posted if you get a full biopsy!!
noda49687 kristin60415
Posted
Thanks really kristin that made me feel better ?? I'm going to a doctor tomorrow and i hope i'll get answers and feel relaxed .. thanks alot i hope we all get better and go through this .. i'm really sorry you feel like this ??
noda49687 kristin60415
Posted
The doc gave me antibiotics for 2 months and if they didn't disappear he will do the excision biobsy .. I don't know .. I feel i want to cry from all the anxiety and thinking in my head , why don't they just do the scans and tests .. this situation just taking all my patience, and guess what ? I just found a big one above my clavicle.. i hate doctors they are really cruel. 😞😪
celia08089 ivan43035
Posted
Hi everyone, you all sound like me! I found an enlarged lymph node in the left side of my neck and one behind my ear 4 months ago. I saw the haematologist Thursday and he checked everywhere and said he wasn't concerned but has ordered a scan for both sides of my neck to give me piece of mind. I have been a blubbering mess for the past 4 months, I do have some relief now but still think about it on and off. I can see the node in my neck in the mirror when I bend my neck and too me it looks huge. I just want them to biopsy one so I can relax if it's nothing major. I get random pains in my neck area and it feels like my jaw feels weird and ears feel stuffy most of the time.
Riv78111 ivan43035
Posted
Hey noticed some people still post on here. I'm 24 years old and after dealing with a 3 week long bout of bronchitis. The last week and a half or so I started feeling some tenderness in my lymph nodes in my neck. Went to a ent and had a barium swallo done on my esophagus and he said all normal except a lot of acid reflex. Everything else looked normal. My worry is now I have been having pain in my collar bone it's a dull pain that when I touch or run gets worst. Do any of you feel the pain or tenderness? What's wierd to me is there's no lumps but I'm scared that now with the collar bone issue. My health anxiety is horrible! I sleep well through the night but as soon as I'm up at like 6-7 I can't go back to sleep. Wondering if it's my anxiety or more symptoms. Man this sucks I've been so down.
kristin60415 Riv78111
Posted
Hey there! I'm definitely no doctor, but that bout of bronchitis sounds rough, so I don't doubt it left some inflammation behind. Which can present itself in your bones from what I've read. Hence the pain after running and touching. I have a friend that told me a few weeks ago that she had horrible bronchitis for weeks and finally after a steroid shot all of her problems disappeared and never returned. If your immune system is pretty strong, maybe your doctor wouldn't mind a steroid? Anxiety sure can control your body and you not even realize it (I would know! ha)... when I'm having more anxiety than usual, I'll have more pains and wake up early not being able to fall back asleep as well. It's crazy how much our mind can interfere with our body.
adam87103 ivan43035
Posted
I am very relieved to have found this thread/forum as reading it has helped to calm my fears a little. I am 28 year old male and have had a swollen lymph node in the right side of my neck for 9 years now. I remember noticing it when I was around 18 years old after I had gotten terribly sick with strep throat. Since then it has not fully gone away. It will get a tiny bit smaller every now and then but if I feel a cold/allergies coming on, it was grow to about the size of an olive. May I add that it is not painful nor has it ever been other than when I first noticed it. It is moveable and not fixed in place. Also, I have never had any other enlarged nodes in the left side of my neck, behind my ears, armpit, groin, etc - only the one on my right side. I am a very big hypochondriac and am terrified I may have lymphoma. I have the feeling of a lump in my chest/throat but that could be caused by my constant stress and anxiety. I have trouble breathing from time to time but that is more than likely from smoking half a pack of camels a day (for the past 7 months) I have nightsweats from time to time but that's probably due to the fact that I wear two pairs of basketball shorts and an undershirt with a regular white tee every night with a comforter and only a small fan. I have lost a little weight but I know for a fact that's due to me losing my car and having to walk everywhere in the middle of summer in south Texas, So you see...while I may have all the symptoms...they can actually be explained very clearly due to other matters. Google does not help with my health anxiety because they always seem to tell me I'm most certainly headed for an early grave. Other than that, I rarely ever get sick as I have a pretty healthy immune system. I'm scared beyond belief of the doctors but part of me just says I'm being overdramatic. Ugh.
keith47173 ivan43035
Posted