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O/T - freaking out just a little bit

queenofthedamned's picture

Submitted by queenofthedamned on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 12:46pm

So, last night I discovered three enlarged lymph nodes on the right side of my neck. I have not been sick at all, which might have provided a reasonable explanation for them being so enlarged, so of course I freaked out immediately.

A friend's husband was recently diagnosed with lymphoma after discovering almost the exact same thing on himself, which is what put my inner worry wart on high alert.

I called my doctor and went in for an appointment first thing this morning. He was concerned enough to order a shitload of blood drawn for tests. Possibilities include: Bartonella (cat scratch disease) since I work at a vet clinic and get scratched by cats on the regular; somewhat less likely since I have no other symptoms of it. Mononucleosis - umm, I feel fine and haven't been kissing anyone likely to have transmitted it. Lymphoma, which has me freaking out. Or some other random cause for non painful lymph node swelling.

The first of the blood tests come back tomorrow, so I guess I just have to wait and see. I tend to obsess over things like this even though it changes nothing, and I'm trying really hard to just chill until I hear back from the doc.

I think it might be time to blast some Eminem and Justin Timberlake and have a solo housecleaning dance party.

Comments

queenofthedamned's picture

Submitted by queenofthedamned on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 1:17pm

Thank you! I will try to remember how common this is. My brain immediately went to my friend's husband getting the diagnosis, and the fact that many many years ago my grandfather died of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Sometimes, the fact that Dr. Google is available for 24hr consult is a very bad thing lol.

Your poor kid! That doesn't sound fun at all.

Starla's picture

Submitted by Starla on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 1:23pm

Relax and wait for the results. Mine swell up all the time and even become rock hard at times which last a few days. For me, everything triggers them to swell. All tests came back normal and my DH often massages them and the swelling reduces for a while.

queenofthedamned's picture

Submitted by queenofthedamned on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 1:28pm

This has never happened before to me, but thanks for sharing. It makes me feel a lot better. For now I'm supposed to use warm compresses and a whole lotta ibuprofen to see if it helps.

Starla's picture

Submitted by Starla on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 1:37pm

No problem but don't take to much ibuprofen if you go that route, I've done that before but for unbearable monthly cramping. As for what your dealing with, I found that Naproxen {generic for Aleve} used as directed then add a few Tylenol later on in the day helps with the symptoms.

Journey1982's picture

Submitted by Journey1982 on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 1:30pm

I had this happen to me before. It turned out I had double ear infections. I wasn't in any pain so I had no idea my ears were infected. My prayers are going out to you.

hismineandours's picture

Submitted by hismineandours on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 2:29pm

My ds has also had the same thing happen when he's had poison ivy. Good Luck-hope its nothing serious.

z3girl's picture

Submitted by z3girl on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 2:30pm

Sending positive thoughts your way!

Just a little comment: my mom had Lymphoma twice (and finally died from Colon Cancer after the Lymphoma) and none of her lymph nodes ever looked physically larger than normal. If you had cancer, you would probably have other symptoms as well. (My mom had colds or low grade fevers that never went away as well as awful rashes that doctors couldn't figure out. The rash covered most of her abdomen, and disappeared as soon as she started chemo.)

queenofthedamned's picture

Submitted by queenofthedamned on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 3:33pm

So sorry about your mom! Sad

I'm guessing my friend's husband was just a fluke - young dude, perfectly active/fit/healthy, and bam! Cancer. Luckily he caught it early and didn't even have to do chemo - just surgery. He was probably hyper alert to it because he's a med student from a family of doctors.

stormabruin's picture

Submitted by stormabruin on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 2:33pm

I've had this happen also. I wasn't brave enough to go to the doctor the first time, but the swelling was gone within the week.

I've had it happen a couple of times since so I asked my doctor about it. She said that sometimes they get irritated & swell up. She did recommend I come in next time it happens & maybe she could help figure out what was causing it.

queenofthedamned's picture

Submitted by queenofthedamned on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 3:29pm

Ahhh you ladies are the best! I had no idea how common these enlarged lymph nodes could be! I kind of feel foolish for assuming the worst. FIngers crossed that the blood work shows I just had a bad case of dr. google!