I apologize in advance for the length of this post.

I'm a 24 year old female. About a year ago, I noticed a lymph node in my neck. Went to by GP. Put me on antibiotics for a month and did blood work. All blood work was okay, and antibiotics did nothing. (In case it helps, I had mono about 3 years ago. Pretty bad case. I was in the hospital).

I had a CT scan showing "numerous enlarge lymp nodes 3X3cm to 3X4cm". The radiologist said that they were "suspicious nodes". So I had my tonsils removed & a lymph node removed for biopsy. The ENT said that the node that was removed (the largest one) was a "hardened salivary gland and it shouldn't return". Well, being satisfied, I didn't go to my follow up appt.

Now, a year later, the lymph node has returned (it almost feels larger to me now). I now feel tired all the time. I'm also able to feel more lymph nodes now. Also, I've noticed the only time these nodes are painful is after I've drank alcohol.

So, here's my question. Is it possible that the one lymph node biopsied did not have lymphoma & others did? Or, did they just over look something? Or, is it possible that it wasn't lymphoma then, but turned into lymphoma now?

I don't want to be a hypochondriac, but am also a little concerned. Can someone give me some advice. What else would cause these huge lymph nodes & why do they hurt after I've drank alcohol?!?

Thanks so much in advance!!!

Biopsies can be wrong. Just go back and have this looked into. Another biopsy sounds like a good idea to me.

Thanks, Debbiefix, for you response.

Have you heard or does anyone know of other reasons that lymph nodes enlarge & are painful after drinking alcohol. Or has anyone else had a biopsy that was negative, but turned out they had lymphoma? Or has anyone ever heard of a large lymph node being a "hardened salivary gland" like what the dr. said mine was. As I said before, my lypmh nodes are huge (3x3cm to 3x4cm). That is what scares me. Thanks.

No, I never heard of the drinking thing. I don't drink so I wouldn't know.
Yes, people have had original biopsies turn out neg when they were actually positive.
No, never heard of a hardened salivary gland.
Doesn't mean I know everything, just in my experiences these are my answers.

Thanks for your response. I have an appt. scheduled at my ENT on April 10. If he feels nothing is wrong, should I insist on another biopsy or trust him. I don't want any unnecessary medical procedures, but I also want to be sure I'm okay.

That's something you have to decide. After going through everything I have gone through, I'd ask for another biopsy....but you do what you think is best.

Just an update.

My ENT said nothing to be worried about.

I work at a bank & we have a healthfair every year. The bank pays for each of us to get a CBC. I am not in the medical profession, but wondered if I should be worried by some of these results:

WBCx10e3 6.5
RBCx10e6 4.7
HGB 12.2
HCT 37.5 (marked as low)
MCV 79.7
MCH 25.8 (marked as low)
MCHC 32.2
RDW-CV 17.9 (marked as high)
PLTx10e3 210
MPV 9.6

Then on the general chemistry
Potassium 3.0L (maked as low)


The weird thing is, I've been taking prenatal pills for about 3 months now. Aren't those supposed to be jam packed full of vitamins?!? (I'm not pregnant nor am I trying to get pregnant. I'm getting married in 6 months & am just trying to get healthy.)
Thanks to anyone who can make some sense of this. I'm not even sure what all that stuff means!!!

I've heard of lymph nodes hurting after consumption of alcohol is a rare sign of lymphoma, but I would deffinatly go to the doctor and let him/her check it out again.