I have had this lump on the right side of my neck for some time now (over a year) and I have had feelings of fullness in my head (pressure) Two cat scans and an MRI of neck and head and an MRA of head showed normal. I have been to the er room for this on one occasion because the pressure was very bad and I felt I needed medical attention right away. After I was seen and blood work done it showed that my Neutropphils count was high(79.2) range= 43.0 - 72.0% / Lymphcytes Low (14.2) range = 18.0 - 43.0%. My segs for the Differential Manual were high 78 range = 25 - 62% and lymphs low 15 range= 20 - 52%. I was also told the lumpo in my neck was a swollen/infected lymph node (2 doctors confirmed this) The ER doctor suggested I bring this to my doctors attention, which I did the next day, and she told me there was nothing wrong with me except stress due to the death of my mother (died of lung cancer in March 2006 - I was at the doctors for this in June 2006). So nothing was done except that she kept me on Ativan for stress, which did nothing for the feelings I get on the same side of my head that the lump is on. Over the past several months I have been getting night sweats, feelings of just not feeling good (always asking "do I have a fever?" and feeling hot and cold- wake up with night sweats which are not constant but enough to make me aware there is something going on) - I am just getting over a sinus infection that took two weeks to clear the infection but I still have a cough and achey feelings (like the flu) I had a chest x-ray which was normal. I did some research on the low and high counts of the blood and the swollen lymph node in my neck and it all led me to Hodgkins/Non Hodgkins disease. I am in need of some advice - Should I seek a second opinion from another doctor or wait until my symptoms get worse?

You can see a hematologist to look at your blood work and check the node. The only way to really know is a biopsy. You already had a negative cat scan right?

Yes, I had two cat scans of my head to check for sinusitis. The second was done in the emerregency room and that's when the blood work was done and the ER Doctor and another Doctor felt the lump and confirmed it to be a swollen lymph node.

You can see a hematologist to look at your blood work and check the node. The only way to really know is a biopsy. You already had a negative cat scan right?
Yes, I had two cat scans of my head to check for sinusitis. The second was done in the emerregency room and that's when the blood work was done and the ER Doctor and another Doctor felt the lump and confirmed it to be a swollen lymph node.
I think I replied to myself - I am new to this.

Hi Monique

Get a second opinion! I wish I had!!

Chances are it will be nothing but I took what my docs said as gospel ("There's nothing wrong with you, you're just a lumpy person, you'll just have to live with it") and by the time I was diagnosed properly (a further year down the line) it had spread to my chest. I initially had xrays, blood tests etc that came back clear but, like Jett says, a biopsy is the only real way to be sure.

Don't wait and see if it gets worse - even if it doesn't and there's nothing wrong, you'll just worry about it anyway!! I know that in that year I did - it was actually a relief when I was diagnosed, I knew for definate what was wrong and could start to get well again.

Like I say, it's probably nothing but if it turns out to be lymphoma, isn't 3 months of chemo better than 6? Even if it is Lymphoma - it's not the end of the world - it's sooo cureable these days but you have to get your medicine to get better!!!

Take care and I hope it all works out for you

Ails xx

Thank you for your response Ails - I have a doctors appointment Wednesday with my GYN Doctor because I found another lump under my right armpit near by breast - The nurse said to come in to see him - Hopefully he will have an answer for me or send me to another doctor to get an answer!

I am sorry to hear that it took that long for you to get a diagnosis, but happy to hear you are getting the treatment you need!

I will let you know how things went.

Take care!

Monique

Hi Monique

I'm in full remmission and have just passed the one year mark!!!!!

I'm living proof that even the worst case scenario isn't too bad - I didn't find the chemo that bad and would go shopping the morning after (nothing can keep a true shopaholic down). I even went on a hen weekend to Prague half way through my treatment!

Have loads of energy and can honestly say I haven't got a care in the world!!! Well except trying to get all the christmas shopping done, but hey, me and a few billion others!!

Good luck for wednesday - you'll be fine whatever the outcome.

If there's anything I can do or anything you need to ask feel free.:)

If I don't reply straight away it's just because of the time difference - I'm in the UK

Take care

Ails xx

Congratulations on the one year mark! It is good to hear that you didn't have too much trouble with handling the Chemo - I hear you about the shopping! (A favorite of mine also!)

I will let you know how Wednesday goes - I keep feeling the lump to see if it is gone - nope, still there, I probally should just leave it alone, then i go to the other lump, yup, that one is there too!

Well, I have to finish making goodies for my daughters Halloween party at school tomorrow - Thanks again Ails! I will post again on Wednesday!:)

Monique

Hey Hun

hope your daughter enjoyed her haloween party

Just posting to say good luck for tomorrow - you'll be fine!!!:)

Ails xx

Hi Ails,

Thank you for the post - yes, my daughter did have a good time at her Halloween Party - kids are so much fun when they are young and get verry excited about upcoming holidays and events!

Well, I had my doctors appontment today, and he had a hard time feeling the lump I was feeling, but because I was feeling it close to the breast, and the history with my mom's cancer he is setting up a mammogram just to be safe.

Maybe I wasn't feeling a lump under my arm, maybe it is just fatty tissue?
I am still concerned about the neck lump though, he asked about it and what was being done, and I told him nothing. I really think I am going to go with your advice and my gut feeling and get a second opinion. I know something is not right, just the way I feel - The pressure on the side of head that the lump is on, always tired, achey, night sweats (not constant) - just not feeling well! I am not one to look for a problem, but I am one to know when something is not right with my body - and I know it isn't stress related.

Okay - hope all is well with you, I will let you know when the mammogram is - and I will also let you know about getting a second opinion.

Take care! :wave:

Hiya Monique

Glad you're getting it sorted. I really am not trying to worry you but I'm glad you're getting a second opinion.
I only got diagnosed on an unrelated trip to another doctor at the surgery.

It's obviously on your mind and even though the neck lump may (an prob will ) turn out to be nothing, if you're constantly worrying that it might be something then the stress of that itself can manifest itself physically!!

Just remember - if it does turn out to be something, it really isn't the end of the world - it's an annoyance, yeah and a bit of a disruption to your daily life for a while - but not the end of the world!! I remember sulking with my consultant because he wouldn't let me go to the gym!!!!

Take care and let me know how it goes

Ails xx

I am surprised that the docs didn't want to do a cat scan. Much better than an xray. I just had one and it showed very small mm sized nodules in my lungs, most likely scarring from previous infection) All my lymph nodes showed as nonenlarged but even that doesn't mean they couldn't have cancer. It would give the doctors a better idea of what looks abnormal and then they could decide what to biopsy. Mamograms don't always show lymph nodes. Mine didn't. A breast ultra sound might be better. Also try and have a digital mamogram done vs the film type. They are more detailed and read by a computer as well as a doctor.

Thank you Ails and Jett for your response. I am going to get the second opinion on my neck - and I am going to mention when I talk to the nurse this morning about my mammogram the ultra sound - my mother had a lump she felt and the mammogram did not pick it up it was the ultra sound that picked it up - after being biopsied she found out it was cancer.

Now I just have to find a doctor who will see me for the second opinion! I will keep you posted!

Monique:wave:

Hi Monique

Remember to stand your ground and do NOT be fobbed off

Ails xx

Thanks Ails! I will!

My mammogram is all set - I will be going for that on the 20th of this month and an ultra sound will also be done because of the lump.

I will keep you posted on everything! Have a great weekend!

Monique:wave:

You too!!!!

Take Care

Ails xx

Hi Ails!

Hope all is well and your weekend went well!

Well, here is the scoop - I ended up calling my regualr GP back just to see if she would do anything about the lump in my neck - When I talked to her I told her the pressure on the side of my head was getting worse and now I have a constant ringing in the ear (all are on the same side the lump is on) - I then told her that I felt it was all related to the lump, I also told her I am not trying to find something wrong with me but I know something is not right. Well, she told me it was time to get another opinion from another Doctor (I almost fell over - luckily I didn't because I was driving:p ) So, her office is setting an appointment with an ENT, I should know by tomorrow when my appointment for that will be. I am worried - but I am also anxious to hopefully get an answer to everything! This has been going on way too long - ARGH!

I often find myself checking myself for swollen lymph nodes - Am I getting paranoid? The lump in my neck feels like it got a bit bigger, and the whatever under my arm is still there. I turned 40 in May - and all I have done is complain about not feeling well and achey joints with a big lump in my neck - Geez, I hate to see what happens to me when I am 45!:dizzy:

Well, like I said, I hope all is well with you - I will let you know when my appointment with the ENT is!

Take Care!
Monique

Hi Monique

Glad you're getting it sorted

Of course you're going to be anxious - you wouldn't be human if you weren't!! (That also goes for feeling old, know where you're coming from!!!)

Good luck and let me know the outcome!!!

Ails xx

Hi Ails,

My appointment with the ENT is scheduled for November 28. Thanks for your support!

Hope all is well!

Take Care! :wave:

Monique

Hey Monique

Just posting to say "Hi" - hope everything is well and you're hanging in there!!!

Have a fabulous weekend

Take Care
Ails xx

Thanks Ails! You have a good weekend too!

Monique:)

Monique

Just popping in to say "HI"

Hope you are well

Ails xx

Hi Ails,

I am ok - Concerned al ittle about these red spots appearing on me though - my thighs, stomach, chest, arms - I am not covered in them but I notice them, I seem to be breaking out just a little each day. I called my doc the other night about it and she asked me questions like, are they raised, if anything was coming out of them, and do they itch. Well, no I told her because they are flat and very tiny ( a few bigger ones) and the don't itch. She did ask me to try some cortizone on on area to see if they would go away and they haven't. I had read up on this and it looks like Petichiae (spelling?? - I really should stop tring to DX myself because I am driving myself and everyone else nuts, but like I said before I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!) I am calling her today to let her know they did not go away and I am going to ask to be seen. I just hope I am not referred to a dermatiologist, because then i will have to wait another month! (Or however long - and I am sick of waiting!)

Well, sorry to vent, but thanks for listening! Any insight on the red dots?

Have a wonderful day and I hope all is well with you!
Monique :wave:

Aw Hun

Sorry you're feeling so bad!!

I've never had rashes other than contact dermatitis (?) from metal.(Strange side effect from chemo!!) Have you used any new products lately like washing powder that you could have developed an alergy to?

My friend gets harmless rashes when she's run down and you're not feeling too great at the moment!! Maybe that could be it. She always wails that when she thinks she can't feel any worse, she can look in the mirror - see a breakout and prove herself wrong!!!

Right, Young Lady, don't EVER apologise for venting - it's what I'm here for and anything that makes you feel better is fine by me!!! Consider yourself chastised!!! ;)

Sorry can't shed any more light on rash thing

Take Care

And remember - vent if you need to - better out than in!!!

Ails xx

Hi Ails,

Hope all is well and thank you for your response! I will be seeing my Doctor at 11:30 tomorrow morning about the red dot syndrome I have going on now - and I have my mammo and ultra sound at 1:30 tomorrow. I will let you know how things go!

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Monique:wave:

Hi Monique

Anytime!!

Good luck for tomorrow - and remember to be firm. Ensure you ask everything you want to (write a list tonight if you need to) and are happy with the answers given (take a pen and write things down, I did!).

If you're not happy with something, say so - if you think you need other tests, say so. If your questions have not been answered - let them know. If you don't understand something - ask for a fuller explaination or for them to explain things in laymen's terms.

Remember - it's your body and YOU are in charge (that's what my consultant kept telling me! When he wasn't saying "Hi Trouble", it was "HI Boss!")

Speak to you soon

Take care

Ails xx

Hey Monique

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

Ails xx

Hi Ails,

Well, I went to see the doctor today about the red dots on me and she told me they were nothing to be worried about, they were broken blood vessels, very tiny, and that there was nothing I could do about them through my insurance. If I wanted to see a dermatologist they would be able to help me but my insurance would not cover it beacuse it is more cosmetic than anything else. She assured me it was not a blood disease or cancer.

I had my mammogram today with the ultra sound and I have two swollen lymph nodes with some cysts the radioligst told me. He assured me they were not malignant - I asked him if they could have anything to do with the swollen lymph node in my neck and he told me that was out of his league. I have an appointment with my GYN tomorrow and I will talk to him about the mammogram / songram results some more, and I will discuss the results with the ENT next Tuesday ( I am going to try to get a copy of the results to bring with me). So, as for now everything looks good - I just can't understand why I am getting these swollen nodes. I am very anxious to see and speak with the ENT just to get the all clear - (keeping fingers crossed).
I think in another time you must have known my husband, he told me the same thing you did with writing everything down! :)
I will take both your advice and his - thank you!

And thank you for the Happy Thanksgiving - I will be able to keep my mind off things while baking and preparing for Thursday's Feast! (The day after I am usually at the stores waiting for them to open 3:30am or 4:00am got to get the deals you know - so I will be busy enough hopefully not to think about anything but the upcoming Christmas Season!)

I know you don't celebrate a Thanksgiving like us, but you have a wonderful weekend and thanks for the support!

Talk to you soon!

Monique :wave:

Hi Monique

It's all looking good isn't it!!

Take care and keep me up to speed

Ails xx

Hello Ails,

Well, I went to the ENT today and he told me there is nothing wrong with my ears - and the "lymph node" is a muscle. So now I am really confused - I have my GP telling me in the begining it was a muscle, and PT did nothing for it, I went to the ER and two doctors confirm a swollen lymph node - so I go back to my GP and she says that there is nothing to do with a lymph node that size and it is stress - so I follow her advice and I still feel the same, pressure in head "lump" still there - I see the neurologist and he tells me it is a lymph node MRI & MRA are good (also two cat scans good) - so now the pressure on side of head is worse with ringing in ear - ENT tells me it is a muscle and a vertabrae (spelling??) and he is going to refer me to another doctor - I forget what he called it but they deal with muscles and skelital (I am sure the spelling is wrong on that too!)
So, now I am back to where I started I feel! Only this time, I have swollen nodes under the arm but not to worry because they are not malignant (thank goodness!) - But why are they swollen? Why am I getting night sweats and achey? I am sick of being sick.

Well, with all these doctors who cannot make up their minds on me I have made a decsion - I called another Doctor ( he was my Mom's GP very good and talks to you so you can understand) and decided to get a clean start and gather all my medical records and have him check me from head to toe and tell me I am fine! I am sick of running to this doctor and that doctor - I just want an answer to why I have this lump in the back of my neck and pressure on my head - I want to be able to get up in the morning and not feel like I was punched on the side of the head - I just want answers a straight answer - This ENT looked in my ears and said "well your ears are clear" no duh - I have been told that five other times! If I am rambling I am sorry! Thanks for listening! If anyone else reads this and has been through something similar please post me a message - Sometimes I feel like the doctors think I am just a chronic complainer and I am not, just looking to see why I feel the way I do!

Hi Monique

Sorry you seem taking 2 steps forard and 1 back. It could well be nothing and the symptoms could be due to the stress - but you're doing the right thing going to your mum's GP as you seem to trust him

You are not a complainer, you're frustrated and it's only human

Anyway

Just a quick note to say "Hey"& "I'm here for you" Must rush or am gonna be late for work

Ails xx

Thanks Ails! I have the appointment December 22 - so I will keep you up to date! My blood work from my GYN came back ( I was tested for hormones and thyroid) all normal :)

Hope all is well with you - been Christmas shopping yet? Gota love all those sales!

Take care!

Monique :wave:

Hi Monique

All done and dusted bar the wrapping. Hate going shopping too close to christmas (it's the one time this shopaholic hates the shops) just too busy and I get trolly rage!!:D

Well, must dash or gonna be late for work!

Take care

Ails xx

Hi, I hope you are feeling better, I have a lump on the left side of my neck which I have had for two or more years. I have headaches that feel like G-force and my head feels really heavy, as if I cannot control it.
I too wake up with cold sweats, I have an enlarged spleen and I have had viral meningitis, on going flu, and I keep getting blisters in my head and body, I am always tired and never well, my bloods are normal, are you feeling the same as me, as I have no-one else who understands me!?

Hi Fairy - Lights,

I do not have blisters or an enlarged spleen, just the lump in my neck, two swollen nodes under my arm . My night sweats aren't constant, but I am always tired and complaining of not feeling well. I have pressure on the same side of my head that the lump is on. I have this docotr saying this the other saying that and my primary agreening with everyone, so I am going to another Doctor on the 22nd. Good luck to you, hope you get the answers to your problems!

Monique

Hi Ails!

Hope all is well, I have been so busy with work and home! I am looking forward to my doctors visit (can you beleive it!) Hopefully we can get everything squared away once and for all! I am at work right now, our company software crashed so I have some free time and thought I would post to say hi! Take care and I will keep you up to date on everything!

Monique

Make sure to request a cat scan. That way they can see all the nodes in your chest and groin as well.

My headaches and pain are all on the same side of my lumps as well, I don't know if this is normal. I get passed from one doctor to another as well, they never seem to agree on the same prognosis!! Oh well thinking of you and hoping you'll feel better soon.x

Hey Monique

Of course you're loking forward to your apointment - you must feel like you're in limbo at the moment. You'll be sorted out before you know it!

You sound very perky at the mo which is fantastic!!

Take Care and keep posting when you get the chance!!

Ails xx

I have been getting blisters on my the top of my head too. I don't have an enlarged spleen, but I have very painful enlarged lymph nodes in my neck, armpits, and groin. I have had blood tests and CTs and they came back normal. I am also having night sweats, fevers, sick all the time ect..

If anyone has any info I would really appreciate it!

Thank you,

Nicola

Hey Monique

Full of busy at the moment so just wanted to wish you luck for friday in case I don't manage to log on again before then

Also, have a fab christmas

Ails xx

Hi Ails!

Thank you - I will definately let you know what the Doctor says!

I have been super busy these last couple of weeks with all the kids and Christmas - Work. Today is slow so I thought I would check in :)

It is so weird it is Christmas in 3 days and there is no snow on the ground, the weather is calling for the 50's and rain on Saturday - then mild for Christmas Eve and Christmas - I am so not used to this! I am kind of wishing for a big storm which would be really cool for the kids! Oh well, I live in New England so I am sure we will get the white stuff sometime before winter ends!

Hope all is well and I will Post on Friday!

Take care,

Monique :wave:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hi Ails - I tried to Post Friday and Saturday but could not for some reason. My doctors appointment went really well - I was so impressed with this Doctor- he spent more time with me (1 1/2hrs) in this one visit than my other doctor did in the entire 1 1/2 years I have been going to see her!

Anyways - I gave him my MRI - MRA - Blood Test Results - and Mammogram results - he is going to go over them with a radiologist. I had to sign a release for my CT Scans - The lump in my neck he said does not appear to be a muscle, but he also doesn't think it is a lymph node, he thinks it is something to do with the spine. We talked about my blood work and I asked to repeat the CBC with differential and he did along with a few more blood test, I should have those back today!

I have another appointment with him Jan 18 to sit and talk with him about what he may think is going on with me, this gives him time to go over all my results from the other doctors. I still have the lumps aunder my arm and he felt another under my left arm as well. He thinks the pressure feeling I am getting in my head is due to my sinuses - he told me even though there is nothing blocking my sinuses he said they could still bother me.

So, I feel much better since I have seen him - just having a doctor to sit with me and actually listen to me was wonderful - and he didn't blame anything on stress!

I will keep you up to date- Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Take care!

Monique :wave:

Hey Monique

Merry Christmas!!!

You sound really upbeat - it's great you've finally got a doctor you can trust - it's half the battle!!!

Take Care and I'll Speak to you soon

Ails xx

How are you doing lately?

I am doing good - thank you for asking! I have been very busy with my children and trying to get the house back to normal after the Holidays!

I got my blood test results back - (I asked my new Doctor to repeat the CBC with Differential plus he ran some other blood work on me and everything came back normal. I have another appointment with him this Thuursday to go over my MRI's and Cat Scans that I had done previously, along with my mammogram test results. I still have the lump ( I am hoping to get a straight answer on that this Thursday) in the back of my neck and the pressure in my head and face.

Happy New Year to you and I will post after my appointment! :)

Happy New Year Ails! Hope all is well with you - I have been busy with the kids and post holiday cleanup! M blood tests all came back normal!

I have a follow up appointment this Thursday we will go over all my tests that I had done before hand and hopefully get a straight answer on my neck lump!

Take care and I will post again after my doctors appointment!

Monique

:) Hi Happy New Year to You.

I have three children and it's always takes us ages to settle back to normal after Christmas, we are just about there!!

I hope that your appointment goes well, and that all your questions are answered.

I am going into hospital tomorrow to have my lymph node removed and a biopsy of my Lingual Tonsils.

I hope your feeling better.

Best wishes Susie x

Hey Monique

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! (albeit belated)

Sorry not been on site - computer probs - hopefully that's all sorted now!!!

Hope everything went well on thursday - let us know the outcome!!

Take Care


Ails xx

Hey Monique

How ya doing?

I'm hoping that your biopsy came back clear

Ails xx

Hi Monique

How's it going - getting worried about you. Really hope everything came back clear and you're just getting on with your life

If not, it's not the end of the world, cure rates are excellent

If you can, please let us know how you are

Ails xx