i'm 17 years old & i have really bad health anxiety! in december i noticed a lump at the back of my neck and because of my anxiety i freaked out, i went to the doctor and he checked it said it felt normal so i kind of calmed down! Then over the course of january - february it hadn't gone down so again i went back to the doctors he checked again still said it felt normal, then i went to another doctor for a different reason & she also checked the lump and again said it felt like a normal lymph node! then in march i had gone to doctors again because of my anxiety and the doctor checked all my lymph nodes including the one on my neck & said everything felt normal even the ones that were swollen & he also took a full blood count to make me feel better (the blood test was all normal) it is now july & i still have the lump at the back of my neck & it's making me so scared i'm getting ill. I have no other symptoms of lymphoma so i'm so scared? I do get repeated boughts of tonsillitis & tonsil stones 1-3 times a month, but i just don't know what to do i'm so so scared. I have an appointment with the nurse practitioner about my tonsils so i might ask about the lump on my neck! I'm awfully scared & just some advice or support would be a big help!
Hi Karl, firstly you have done the right thing by going to the doctors. If they were concerned they would have done something about it, I completely understand it doesn't help anxiety! I am always wondering if something has been missed but we have to remember that they know their jobs better than we do. If you go again, make sure you tell them about the tonsillitis etc
Try some breathing exercises on YouTube or relaxation techniques, they have helped me stay calm. Remember you are not alone, these forums are great for support or to vent. Keep going!
Kar
I have had a lump like this since the 1970s, I now just accept it is there and that is it.
They can be removed although my GP told me it was to near my neck/spine, it was not Cancer. When we moved to a new area and change our GP practice they said the same thing, they explained sometimes these lumps can become reabsorbed by the body, so leave it alone it may go on its own accord. I have seen a lump removal done and it can be very straight forward depending on where the lump is.
I suppose if the GP is happy, get on with your life. Stop worrying
BOB
If there was anything wrong with the lump, the blood test would definitely have shown it! Many people have larger lymph nodes that just stay like that. Plus you would've have been getting other symptoms by now
. You are letting fear take you over and if you don't get in control of it, it will make your life completely miserable. Believe me, I wasted 20 years of my life worrying about every little thing but nothing bad ever happened. I hate to see this happen to you.
"What if " thinking is not based on reality. It's something that you created in your mind but it's not based on facts but driven by fear and negative thinking. You need to trust in your doctor , they see this all the time and know when something is wrong.
like I said your bloodwork would have been all messed up but it wasn't! It was fine. I highly suggest speaking with a counselor who specializes in anxiety. They can help you sort all of this out and help you create a more positive outlook. You are thinking worst-case scenario which isn't going to happen.
Also, check out the audio meditations on YouTube that deal with negative thinking and anxiety. They could really help you as they did me!
Go enjoy your life. If you spend a day with worry and fear, that day will be gone and you can never get it back.
Also, if your having a panic attack or you can go to YouTube and search panic attack emergency and they will guide you through it. There are several to choose from.
Thank you so so much, thank you ❤️
thank you so so much for this thank you! the nurse said it felt normal & that the lump was actually on my record but doctors weren't concerned, i'm still super scared so i might go back 1 more time just for that complete reassurance. & i have actually just started seeing a psychologist so i hope it helps, anxiety has already ruined my teenage years
Thank you! i suppose like, i don't have any symptoms, the lump is small, squishy & moveable.. but the 'what if' scares me. Thank you for your reply though