I as well as Aray827, have been posting on the thyroid boards.I just had a uptake scan on my thyroid.It was normal except my thyroid is simply enlarged.No nodules or cysts; and/or cancer.THANK GOD!I have to go back in 6 months to retest TSH levels.But, I have another problem.I have had a so called "swollen lymph node", in the left side of my neck(a few mm's below ear lobe and right behind jaw line), for little over a year now. I saw my family physician in November 2005 for this lump. He said it felt benign and not to worry. Well, in January of 2006 it was still there. I saw family physician again and then he said CMV,EBV; and /or lymphoma.So, he refers me to a seurgeon. I see her the followong week. As soon as she puts her hands on it she says it is benign.I probably had a infection at one time and this node caught all the infection and was like scar tissue and would be there for the rest of my life. So, I leave feelong good. Well, in February I find a new node.This time in the right side of my neck(a little farther down,though). Now, let me say this, when I first noticed these nodes they were tender.Well, I let it go thinking another benign node?In April they were hurting pretty bad, ecspecially the left one. I saw a head and neck seurgeon. He examined the nodes and felt inside my mouth and read my history.He said nothjing to worry about.Benign stuff. He said he would tell me if he thought it was something serious and would be doing testing.So, I leave feeling better.Now, here it is October and they are still there. They are a little bigger and the one in the left side of my neck hurts daily.It hurts at night, during the day,when I turn my neck; and sometimes when I swallow food. The other hurts off and on.I have no weight loss, fevers; and/or no night sweats.I get a little overheated at night, but nothing big. I have occasional itching. Nothing abnormal, I think? I don't know what to think?My GYN is getting me a referral for another seurgeon. What do you all think,is wrong? I been haveing some pain around my heart, here within the last three weeks.It comes and goes and is a stabbing pain when it does hit.But, I was just adjusted by a chiropractor two weeks ago. I have some pain in my back right beside my shoulder blade on the same side. So, I don't know whether its back related or not. I had a ekg and chest x-rays done on July 30th,2006 for a pulled back muscle.Nothing abnormal. Everything was normal. Why would my nodes be hurting more now, than before when I found them?I do have severe acne and boils on the left side of my face particualry.The right side of my face has acne to, just not as bad as the left. I know alot of information!But, any answers would be appreciated.I am so worried about cancer. I just hope all these doctors have been right all this time and its not something more?:confused: God Bless.

Didn't anyone mention the acne or boils as the reason for the enlarged nodes. This is probably why they are tender as well, trying to fight the infection in your face. They can also inflame from dental infections as well. Have you gone on antibiotics for your acne?

Jett456,
Thanks for the reply.I have always thought of that as a reason for the lymph swelling.I also have wisdom teeth that need to be removed.The ones on top, ecspecially.The one wisdom tooth on the left side of my mouth(same side as boils), hurts alot.I also have TMJ that affects the left side of my face(mouth)alot....more than the right side.I also had Bell's Palsy that affected that side of my face 7 years ago.Alot of weird things happing to the left side of my body?As for the antibiotics .....No I have'nt yet.I saw my GYN last week for annual check up and my thyroid issue.His nurse is suppose to be calling me with a prescription for the acne.Just stinks....there is always something wrong with me!Iam one huge immune problem!!Thanks again for the reply.God Bless.:angel:

First thing is, the more you touch and poke at your nodes the longer they will stay enlarged. Nodes are very sensitive. If you feel for them a lot for a long time they can actually stay enlarged. I have an anxiety for health problems and started to read about neck nodes. Well, guess what I found some and did not stop touching them. Now they are larger than they should be. I was also worried I had cancer. You should really only worry if they are the size of grapes. This is what a surgeon said.

Good luck,

Deb:)