I don't really know where to begin because my mind is racing right now. Basically, i've had a swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck that's come back twice now. The first time it happened, i went to see the doctor and she said i was just fighting off a virus and to take some paracetamol, which i did. It went away after about 5 days and i completely forgot about it up until this week when it was slightly swollen again in the same place.
I went back to the doctor today and she checked all my lymph nodes. She said that the one that was bothering me was slightly swollen but i have no other swollen lymph nodes. She booked me in for an ultra sound on my neck to check to see why it was swollen again and i've also got a blood test in a few weeks. She told me not to worry but i'm terrified. She asked if i have had night sweats etc, i said no. I know what she was hinting at (HIV) but she never said it.
I'm scared that it's HIV or cancer. I've only ever slept with one person but we didn't use a condom and we had a causal relationship for a while. I've heard from people that he's used a lot of girls. I feel like my life is over. I'm only 25 years old. Can any other stds cause swollen lymph nodes or is it just HIV?
Last edited by Mod-S4; 11-16-2012 at 05:17 PM.
Reason: Inappropriate comment removed.
There are soooo many things that can cause a lymph node to swell up and HIV is way down the list of probabilities. You are probably worrying about something that is not serious. Once a lymph node becomes reactive, it can come and go for months. One swollen node generally does not mean much, unless it is well over one inch and hard. I have a permanently swollen one on the side of my neck, and another in my armpit and have stopped thinking about it. Also, if you keep pressing and feeling it, that will make it swell up more. Just leave it alone and go for your scan and I am sure it will be nothing. Any doctor will get this test done to rule out anything starting up. Sera
There are soooo many things that can cause a lymph node to swell up and HIV is way down the list of probabilities. You are probably worrying about something that is not serious. Once a lymph node becomes reactive, it can come and go for months. One swollen node generally does not mean much, unless it is well over one inch and hard. I have a permanently swollen one on the side of my neck, and another in my armpit and have stopped thinking about it. Also, if you keep pressing and feeling it, that will make it swell up more. Just leave it alone and go for your scan and I am sure it will be nothing. Any doctor will get this test done to rule out anything starting up. Sera
The first time it swelled was over a year or more ago. It must be something serious if it's suddenly come back after all that time.
It is more of a worry if it stayed there for a year, steadily growing. Lymph nodes come and go all the time. The fact that it went away is good. Cancer or other serious conditions do not go away for a year. It doesn't sound sinister, I am sure it will be fine. Sera
It is more of a worry if it stayed there for a year, steadily growing. Lymph nodes come and go all the time. The fact that it went away is good. Cancer or other serious conditions do not go away for a year. It doesn't sound sinister, I am sure it will be fine. Sera
Maybe it's HIV then? If it's not cancer why would they do an ultra sound? Also, it's in the same place that it was before.
Last edited by AnxiousGirl22; 11-16-2012 at 11:31 AM.
It is quite routine and most doctors will schedule one. They are looking for abnormalities, and cancer is one of the things they will be looking for. They have to examine that possibility, like if you had a lump in the breast, no doctor will ignore it in case it is cancer. Even (worst case) if there are abnormal cells present causing the swelling, it is very early and the cure rate is very good. I have had three ultrasounds on my lymph nodes and have never found anything, but they keep coming and going, according (I think) to my state of stress, tiredness, etc. Sera
I had a bacterial eye infection and had to go to the eye hospital but that was months ago so that wouldn't affect my glands would it? I feel like I should just face the fact that I'm going to die.
I have had the same problem twice before, I'm 20 years old, its most likely just your body fighting off an infection, it will be in the same place because your glands dont move around your body.xxx
The Following User Says Thank You to Duckling91 For This Useful Post: Seraph (11-17-2012)
I have had the same problem twice before, I'm 20 years old, its most likely just your body fighting off an infection, it will be in the same place because your glands dont move around your body.xxx
I just think it's weird that it's only on the left side again. HIV is an infection.
HIV would NOT effect your eye. Most people will have HIV for many many years before they even get ill. It takes a long time to effect your immune system.
As for a swollem node, join the club. I have them and have had many tests over the last year. I also have a enlarged spleen. The cause - nothing. Yep, nothing. I dont have cancer i dont have HIV. I got tested for everthing to rule everything out, its what doctors do. Its not because they think you have that, its just a case of making sure they do their jobs correctly and rule everything out.
Its very normal for most people to have a swollen node. Somtimes its from a viral infection, somthing thats just the way it is, no real cause. Im living proof of this.
If your really concerned about HIV you can take a rapid test and get results in 15 minutes. I can see your scared but i was at the time but having been through so much testing and after many conversions, its quiet clear its normal for many people to have such things with nothing being wrong with them.
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I know HIV wouldn't cause an eye infection. I just don't understand why it would get a swollen gland like 2 or so years ago then for it to come back now in the same place. The guy I was intimate had swollen glands then I got it (2 years ago). I thought it could have been mono from him or something but if that was the case then it wouldn't have come back again years later.
Also, why would the doctor ask if I've had night sweats? (I haven't). She checked under my arms and my groin, they were ok. She obviously thinks I have it.
Last edited by AnxiousGirl22; 11-18-2012 at 12:32 AM.
No, you belive you have hiv, not your doctor. I had night sweats and with other symptoms as well. They ask this because they are looking at cancer, mainly a blood cancer as they did with me.
What they will do is a process of testing.
Ultrasound tests, then a ct scan of the whole body and then a bone marrow test. They will continue to take blood tests to check your red and white blood count. At some stage they will test for hiv again as a routine test. They may even do a boiopsy if they feel inclined to so.
Of course its scary and concerning. I lost over a stone and had a lot of issues but now im fine. No idea why this all happened, they dont either but im fine and fingers crossed you will be to.
Just try not to get to hung up on every word they say or looking at everything in a negative manner. Your doctor is just doing the correct coarse of action and it sounds like you are being well cared for.
If and i say this again, you are concerned about hiv just take a test yourself and get a factual answer which will stop any speculation or concerns your having. This is an easy part you can do yourself.
__________________
“Morality is only moral when it is voluntary.”
"Being defeated is only a temporary condition; giving up is what makes it permanent".
They wont at this stage, they will only go that far if they are concerned enough. like i said, i had multiple issues which gave them a lot of concern, but from what your saying i dont belive they will have that concern unless they find somthing abnormal on any of the tests.
__________________
“Morality is only moral when it is voluntary.”
"Being defeated is only a temporary condition; giving up is what makes it permanent".
The Following User Says Thank You to Apollo123 For This Useful Post: AnxiousGirl22 (11-18-2012)
I just think it's weird that it's only on the left side again. HIV is an infection.
Mine was both on the left, and it was just a minor cold, i didnt even notice the cold the 1st time the lump came up! there are hundreds of things that are more likely than hiv,
Before i lost my virginity i never got swollen glands. Ever.
Do you think it's possible to have HIV and have only one swollen lymph node and no other symptoms?
If swelled in the same place about 2 years ago (left side of neck) and a few days ago it felt slightly swollen again. The doctor checked for any other swollen nodes and couldn't find any. I'm having a blood test next week but I'm scared. I've only slept with one guy but I have no idea how many people he's been with.
Last edited by Mod-S4; 11-23-2012 at 04:10 PM.
Reason: Please do not repost the same question. Threads and posts merged.
Many of us have answered this for you. I don't think there is any more feedback you could get. A swollen lymph gland is usually nothing to worry about. Of course it "could" mean something serious, just like a fever "could" be typhoid or meningitis. There are dozens and dozens of reasons for swollen nodes and only about 3-4 of them are serious. Do the math and stop obsessing. It is natural to be concerned but you are just catastrophizing. You do not have HIV, that is certain. If you want a bit of support, we are here for you, but please at least read our responses, rather than posting again with the same question. You will gat the same answers. Sera
I guess nothing is certain, but one swollen lymph gland is so common and in 99% of cases is either nothing or something very harmless, like a local infection or a reaction to inflammation. That other 1% is certainly there but there is also a 5% chance that you will be run down by a car whenever you step out. Why not go to a clinic and get a HIV test done?
