My girlfriend who I have been with for a very long time and who I love more than anything, has recently (for about the past week) had a lump on the back of her neck right at about the hairline. She says it is very painful to the touch and she gets bad headaches on the right side of her head and vision sometimes gets blurry in her right eye...needless to say this frightens me quite a bit. She had a Doctors appointment today and they told her it was a swollen lymph node and that it should go away with the help of some muscle relaxers and they gave her headache medicine. I however dont have much faith in her doctors Because she is literally in and out in like 10-15 minutes..i have spent more time in Mcdonalds drive thru than she does in her Doctors Appt. I would like her to get a second opinion and she has also been advised recently to get a mri to see the cause of her headaches and pain in her neck and shoulders. I'm just really confused and I really need some answers. Hopefully something more reassuring and with a lot more info than what she is getting from her Doctor. Thanks in advance

I am sorry to hear that your girlfriend is not doing so well.

You should do exactly what you said..

•Get a second opinion
•Get a MRI

Usually (from what I'm aware of), if the swollen lymphnodes hurt in any way - it is most likely a good sign. Either she going through an infection or etc.
What I suggest is to wait it out for just a couple of more days, and if the swelling/headaches/hurting persists or gets worse, go see the doctor again. And hopefully this time he can run other tests to find out what may be wrong.

Everything should be fine, tell her to try not to stress it too much - as stressing can make her feel worse.

=oP

thank you for your reply. And yes she has an appt. to get an MRI and I told her that she needs to see a different doctor because I dont have much faith in her current one. I just feel they should spend longer than 10 minutes checking her out when its something that could be very serious. As far as stressing over it..i think i'm doing that way more than she is..I am just worried and I need to know whats going on. So I thank you for your response..and if anyone else has something to add please do.

A large number of doctors have the tendency to look over things. It's seems really hard finding a good doctor that is always thorough with his/her job. =(
It's all about trial and error. Alot of people jump from doctor to doctor until they find the right one.
I still haven't found one yet.

Like I said before, I'm sure it'll all be ok.
Because no matter what, they are still doctors and they know what they're doing.. (most of the time =oP)

So just cheer up and have faith.=)

Don't forget to keep us informed with new details!

I am also curious as to how the swollen node, being infection or otherwise, can cause her vision in her right eye to sometimes get hazey or blurry. Anyone ever experience this? If it is infection is it spreading to the eye? Or is it the swelling putting pressure on that side of her head/brain or whatever. I just dont understand that if its nothing serious and the swelling is on the back of her neck how its affecting her vision up front. Hopefully someone can clue me in. If anything I'll make sure to be with her at her next appointment and I'll be sure to ask the doctor all of these questions personally. MRI is scheduled for next Thurs. Thanks for your info and yes I will update on the situation.

You should definitely be with her during the visit.
My girlfriend always comes with me to see the doctor, and she makes me a list of things to ask.Because once I get face to face with the doctor, I seem to forget what to say.. =)

There's no definite way to know if the swollen lymphnode is causing the disoriented vision.My guess is that it's not, but only a doctor will know for sure. It may be something else.

Try to accompany her when she goes to see the doctor.. Not just this time, but always.. (if it's possible) It's hard and lonely going to the doctor all alone, especially if you're expecting a not so pleasant news. Plus she'll appreciate the support.=)

Good luck.

Thanks again. Does anyone else have anything to add any simular experiences? Some kind of input..its greatly appreciated. Thanks

I've had similar symptoms for quite some time now. Almost over a year. It started with a really intense headache that made me real sensitive to light and and I couldn't move around too much cause the pounding in my head would be way too painful. They would always be on one side of my head, either around the temple area on the right or left or on the top of my head in the back. So far I have been able to control them with some pain medication. I recommend either some Tylenol PM in the evening or 3-4 Advil at other times along with a heating pad or warm cloth.

It wasn't until recently however that I woke up one morning and my neck was very stiff and sore. The muscles on the right side on my neck were inflamed and it hurt to move my head around. I then started to feel around my head and massage the muscles to maybe get rid of the stiffness when I noticed right below my ear and behind my jaw was a lump, and then a pea sized lump at the base of my skull. Well I went to the doc and he said it is probably just a minor viral infection and that they should go away within a week. Well it's been over 3 weeks and they are still there, however the one below my ear has gone down some. I have not experienced any other sort of symptoms and right now I'm just kind of waiting it out to see if things get any worse cause at this point I know what the doc will say and I'll be spending more money just to go sit on a bed for 10 minutes.

Hope maybe this helps if not ask me anything about what I've said and I can clarify if need be. Hope things begin to improve with your girlfriend.

well my gf got her MRI Last Thursday and they told her That it is a Non Cancerous Tumor, and that it can be removed right in the doctors office. Also the MRI showed that she has really bad allergies..I wasnt aware MRI showed that but I guess so. And that the allergies coupled with the tumor could be the cause of her really bad headaches...They said once they remove the tumor and start to monitor her allergies they will know for sure..even though my concern is the tumor not the allergies. But they assured her it was non cancerous and a small procedure to remove it. So as far as I know for now things should be ok. I just hope and pray that they stay ok from now on. Anyone had experience with non cancerous tumors? Are they a sign of worst to come? Or just something that happens but once taken care of is nothing to worry about?? I thank you for your help up to this point and Thank you for future support.