Swollen Lymph Nodes for 4+ Months

Allergies, blood and immune system
1

I am hoping someone can give me some insight into this ongoing health issue I seem to be having.

In February 2016 I noticed slightly enlarged lypmh nodes in my neck - I scheduled an appt with my GP and after my appt with her, she acknowledged my nodes were slightly enlarged, but not of concern, so she gave me a steriod shot and diagnosed me with Pharyngitis.

Two weeks later, I still wasn't feeling well, muscle aches in my upper chest, shoulder, arms - so I went back and I let her know I was still feeling unwell and I was concerned as I never get sick. She did some blood work, and checked around on my lymph nodes again, but said they no longer felt swollen. The only thing my CBC showed is that I am slightly anemic/iron deficient. 

At this point, I sought out a second opion at another GP, as my muscle pains/lymph nodes were not getting any better. It was almost like I could feel these aches and pains moving through my body. Across my chest/collar bone area, shoulders, neck, etc. 

I tested negative for any autoimmune. 

Mono negative 

Thyroid - OK

3 more CBC's - NORMAL

These visits continued for a few weeks, until finally I was explaining to her how my armpit area was bothering me as well as my rib area/sternum area under my breast. Again, dull achey pains. 

She did a breast exaime and found three masses in my left breast - I was sent for an ultrasound which revealed nothing but slightly enlarged lymph nodes in my arm pit, but the radiologist said they were not elarged enough to be of concern.

Next up, I had ultrasounds of my neck, thyroid, spleen, ribs, and also a chest XRAY. All of these yielded no results - my lymph nodes were said to be of normal size and showed benign on the ultrasound, but I can physcally feel them swelling/aching and my arm pain, rib pain, etc continues. 

I am currently waiting on my appointment with a hematologist-oncologist, but in the mean time, does ANYONE have any insight??? I am a 27 y/o female with no family history of cancer. 

 

2

Have you found anything out? I have had similar issues..swollen lymph nodes, random pains, etc. I've had the blood work, ultra sound, CT/MRI, biopsy, all coming back normal. My symptoms have continued to get worse and I feel like the doctors have basically given up. Frustrating when you know something is wrong!

3

Hi Lizzy!

No results yet, my appointment with the hematologist is not until the 13th of this month, so I am praying I can get some answers at that point. I feel so frustrated as I also feel my doctors have given up.

I have not yet had the biopsy, which is what I am really anxious about because they say that is the only true way to tell if it's lymphoma which is what I am most worried about.

Could you describe your symptoms more in detail? I have searched the Internet and have yet to really find any posts that describe exactly what I've been feeling.

Hope to hear from you soon!

4

Heather,

I'm 25 and have had my swollen lymph nodes for a little over 6 months. A few on the back of my neck and my tonsillar gland on the right is also swollen. I've had sharp pains in my head, my arms, and also occasionally in my chest. I'm tired all the time and have lost a significant amount of weight over the last year. Recently I've also noticed lumps in the back of my throat. That's where my biopsy was done and it came back showing reactive tissue but not lymphoma. I've spoken to an acquaintance who works at an alternative medicine practice who suggested getting tested for Lyme and additional blood tests to ensure that it isn't lymphoma. I have yet to do this but will hopefully be able to do so soon!

5

Hi Lizzy! Thanks for your reply! It's sort of comforting knowing I'm not the only one going through this! I'm getting anxious for my appointment on Monday, but ready for some answers.

Did your doctor give any insight as to why your lymph nodes are reactive? I read on another forum someone had the same results as you, reactive tissue but not lymphoma. Seems strange they cannot pinpoint the issue.

I haven't lost any signifigant amount of weight, which is why my GP said she would not consider or be worried about cancer, which is what prompted me to ask for a referral to a specialist. I don't understand why doctors don't choose to rule out the most serious possibilities first and then work backwards. It's been such a frustrating five months.

6

Hi Heather I was wondering if you had thought about Fybromyalsia or ME I have been exposed with both and swollen lymph nodes on or around the neck is one of the unexplained symptoms of both of these.Fatigue is also a very big part of it so I wondered if you were having problems with that.

7

Heather I was wondering if you ever got an answer on what was going on with you?? Ice had swollen lymph nodes in my neck for 6 months. Numerous blood counts all normal. Ultrasound normal. Ct finally showed 3 enlarged in my neck. See an ent next Friday. (Saw my usual ent who passed me off real quick with its nothing) b.s. anyways, I have one behind my Ear that's hard. I get pain down in my ear it. I got my wisdom teeth removed in hoping it would help but it didn't. I also have this weird raised place under my arm and sometimes I get pain there but my doctor, my obgyn, they've all checked and said there's no swollen nodes there. It's weird. I also get random pains that some and go underneath my breast bone, in my lower back, my shoulders and sometimes even my knees and fingers. Its so strange. & its SO frustrating not knowing what's wrong. If you could reply to me it would mean so much to hear your story. Im also fatigued often. I so have a condition with my stomach called sibo though.

8

Hi, did you get the answers you seek? I was wondering if you were unknowingly exposed to a harmful chemical or pesticide and your body is fighting it. Maybe go to a natural path and go through a strict detox for several months, if modern medicine doesn't give you any answers. I suffered from swollen nodes as a child and now I have a sore armpit, I am highly sensitive to peticides.

9

Did anyone get a reply on this I have had exactly thwe same symptoms for nearly 5 months now and I am going insane.... not had any biopsies but several US and just keep being told that my nodes aren't that enlarged.  All my bloods FBC/ESR/LDH have come back as negative so far (I have had 3 lots over the 5 months)....but now I have started with GI symptoms that they are saying it is just stress.... HELP!!!

10

Hi, any joy in finding any answers anyone? I too have got a hard swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck, directly on the main jugular view to be precise, it's been there for 3 months now add I've had an ultrasound which showed a "reactive lymph node", I've also found a lump in my right breast which I've also had an ultrasound on and it came back as glandular tissue. I'm pursuing further investigation as I've been experiencing fatigue, headaches and achiness in different areas of my body. Safe to say the past 3 months have been hell! Worrying constantly about these lumps and not having certain answers is really getting me and my family down. I too don't understand why they don't rule the most serious cases out first as they always say that it's best to catch these things early if it is anything. Hope everyone get some real answers soon. Take care and do best wishes to all.

11

I have a node in my armpit its hard and immobile from more than 2 months.. M of 23yrs..plz tell me also 

12

Hi Heather thanks for sharing it. Even i am facing the same issue currently. I have been having a swollen lingual lymph node which measures about 1.3 cm. My GP checked it and she said nothing to worry even my blood reports are normal. Been to Ultrasound except for the size everything was normal. The pain is on and off.. for a month there is nothing except for the swellling and within seconds it gets painfull. Not sure what is happening . BTW are you normal now or the problem is still persisting . Thanks 

13

Can anyone explain what is happening with my lingual lymph node... been to a gynaecologist too she repeated blood tests and everything was normal recently I discovered I have hypothyroid and anaemia. 

14

Have you been checked for sarcoidosis?