Swollen lymph nodes for four months, paranoid they are spreading?
Three months ago, I became very ill with tender swollen lymph nodes in the neck, fever, some sweating at night, white patches on tonsils, spleen hurt when I breathed in, complete loss of appetite and fatigue. I had a CBC early on in the infection and it came back completely normal. I think I had mono but was never tested.
The lymph nodes have stayed swollen in the neck. I can’t tell if they have gotten smaller or bigger. About 2 weeks ago, I started feeling tenderness in the neck again, and began to be really paranoid about cancer. I have not had any other symptoms (no fever, weight loss, etc). I am just worried about the lymph nodes not going down.
Then yesterday I found a movable, soft node UNDER (not above) collarbone right where my bra strap goes on my right shoulder. I can see it in the mirror, though it is smaller than a grape, but bigger than a pea. I am worried that this cropped up suddenly since I already have swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
I know that I need to go to the doctor, and I made an appointment for Monday, but I just need peace of mind right now since there is so much scary stuff on the internet. Has anyone experienced what I have? If all those symptoms that I had in March have subsided, is it still possible that I have cancer? Would they have gone away like that?
Also, I know collarbone lymph nodes can be dangerous, but this is not in the hollow area of the collarbone, it is almost near my shoulder and sits on or below the collarbone. Also it is not hard or fixed. I can’t tell if the nodes in the neck are hard or fixed because I’m trying not to touch them.
I am feeling incredibly anxious and cannot stop googling this. Any advice? Much appreciated.
Thanks!
Also, I had really bad black mold in my shower and my apartment is really dusty. Could it be allergies? We just got it cleaned today so hopefully it will go help??
5 Responses
mtwaites
14 Mar 2010
Tarkarri
14 Mar 2010
You are aware that mono can recur months after the initial attack?
Yes it could be allergies.
Sometimes lymph nodes can take 6 months or even a year to return to normal size.
Wait for your Dr to advise and stop googling, you are only talking yourself into symptoms that you might otherwise not feel!
Billy M
14 Mar 2010
And if it is something serious, just what are you going to do about it? You have already done the best thing you can do – made an appointment with your physician. Beyond that, all you’re doing by looking all over the Internet is working yourself into a frenzy. That is absolutely not helpful.
Have a cup of tea, sit down and watch something on t.v. and relax for half an hour. Then get up and do whatever it was you were doing before you began to notice all these strange things going on. Keep busy until bedtime, then take a nice hot bath, sit down again and read something and then when you’re relaxed, turn over and go to sleep.
STOP READING SCARY STUFF ON THE INTERNET! That won’t help either.
ElfieFay
14 Mar 2010
You may want to do more research on cancer… There are few sites which are very helpful that could help you in many ways… Do visit them if you’ve the time… ^_^
http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Flatten-Your-Tummy-and-End-Food-Cravings-EFFORTLESSLY
Stay happy always… ^_^
Mike K
12 Apr 2010
Hey all, I have had a swollen lymph node for over 2 weeks now infront of my left ear. When i was younger it would swell up once every like two years i am now 20 years old and it has not swollen up in the past 5 years. 2 weeks ago i got a sore throat and over night it swelled up, as in the past i had my mother call the doc to get my amoxicilin as i normally always took for it. In the past the Amoxicilin would work within like 3 days of taking it and the swelling would go down. This time i have been on the Amoxicilin now for over 2 weeks and still no effect, my sore throat was gone 2 days after beginning the anti-biotic. last week i met with my doctor and he put me on methapregnazone and no effect on the lymph node swelling. Any ideas on the reason it has not gone down? also to note i have no other syptoms to mentions, no fever, night sweats, chills, tiredness. i feel 100%. One thing to possibly mention is a odd random bruise i developed on my right side of my chest. But as i read up on the methypregnazone odd bruising is a side effect of it
Let us know your thoughts!
I know that this is nerve racking, and it is a very frustrating time that you’re going through. Try to think of some good thoughts until you have your appointment on Monday.
If you should experience shortness in breathing, chest pains, extreme shoulder pain or fever or loss of appetite, then go to the emergency and they can always send a copy of the visit to your doctor on Monday.
Good luck, and try not to think about it too much!