Please slap my hands to stop me from consulting Dr Google about DS

[Bearfrills]

Putting 3yo DS to bed tonight he tilted his head back and I noticed that he has what looks like swollen glands - one either side of his jaw/neck. They're each roughly the size of a grape (the good sized M&S type) so I'm honestly not sure how I didn't notice them before now. They're quite firm too and round.

He says they don't hurt and he seems happy enough in himself, maybe a little tired but his routine has recently changed (I just went back to work after being a SAHM). He was poorly just before Easter and it seemed to linger on for ages but I thought he was over it now.

I'm resisting looking at Google, so far, because I get anxious over health issues and don't want to spend the weekend worrying. Please slap my hands away from the keyboard and reassure me it's nothing. Is it worth seeing our GP about if he feels otherwise well?

[ohmeohmyforgotlogin]

I think the symmetry is likely to mean it is not so serious though I am not a doctor. Could just be immune system working as it should but if you are at all worried take him to gp to check or get in touch with health visitor if you have one

[Vinnyinny]

Hi- my 3 yr old DS gets these. I have taken him to the doctor more than once about them and the advice has always been the same- that they are Lymph Nodes mopping up an infection and they should go within 6 weeks. They terrify me every time but I am always assured that it they are normal so long as they go. I was told to return I they got bigger or if I found lumps elsewhere (groin, armpit). Hope this helps.

[cheekyginger]

Lumps and bumps are always worth checking with the GP.

Even if its nothing, you'll get to hear that first hand and feel much more reassured. Dont google it.....god knows what you would find [shocked]

[Bearfrills]

Thanks :)

I'm almost certain that it'll be a by-product of him being ill a few weeks ago but I'm seeing the nurse myself Tuesday so I'll ask her to have a quick check on him while we're there.

[Jinty64]

You are right. It will almost certainly be a by-product of him being ill a few weeks ago. Do not google, do not google and, repeat after me DO NOT GOOGLE.

We see patients with googleitis in our clinic. It is a very worrying disease.

[BearFrills]

Just a quick update (mainly in case any other parent Google's this exact query).

I saw the nurse at our surgery and she said it's more than likely that he's either still fighting the bug he had at Easter (or he's picked up a new bug) and it's low grade enough to not give him any symptoms but has triggered an immune response aka, swollen glands. She said that then both being swollen and equal size was good but to get him checked over if they don't go down.

They still haven't gone down, one of them is smaller but the other has increased in size. We're seeing the GP tomorrow where I hope to be told it's absolutely nothing before being sent on my way feeling like a mildly silly overprotective mother.

Still resisting Google.

[BearFrills]

Thanks ohhelp, I hope your DS feels better soon :)

I'm thinking some sort of infection too because he's gone from having boundless energy to needing a nap in the afternoon again (which he hasn't done in ages).

[BearFrills]

The GP can see why we're concerned and noticed the swollen glands right away, she also checked his throat and said his tonsils are enlarged. It's more than likely a bug of some sort or several bugs or a series of bugs, enough to make him feel run down and have swollen glands but not enough to make him ill, so she's not unduly worried. We've got to go back in two weeks if they're not gone.

I'm proposing all nurseries install some sort of sheep dip decontamination system at their front doors :o

[BearFrills]

DS still has swollen glands so our GP referred us for blood tests. I was very glib about it being his adenoids or a bug. GP agreed but said they want to rule out lymphoma. Fucking lymphoma man :(

It's very, very unlikely in a child his age and he has no other symptoms which is good but rare is not the same thing as impossible. For all its highly unlikely it's still going to be a long week waiting for the results.

Sorry for bumping the thread after almost a month, I just wanted to update and although I have people in RL I can talk to about it I don't want to as it feels like tempting fate

[paddyclampo]

My DS got referred for exactly the same reason and in exactly the same place - twice! The paediatrician was relatively unconcerned and did blood tests just to be safe. They came back completely normal.

This was a few years ago and he's still fine and still has the lumps!!

[BearFrills]

Thanks, paddy that's really reassuring to hear :)

[PickledMoomin]

My DS had the same in the sides of his neck. They continued to grow and they kept repeating his blood tests because they came back with some very minor abnormalities.
We were referred to the paediatric team but the GP suggested we go privately if we were in a position to do so.
We did and the paediatrician could tell immediately that they were harmless, reactive lymph nodes. Always a good sign if they are on both sides and can be moved around.
He told me that he sees one case of lymphoma every four or so years and the child doesn't walk into his room smiling and well. He said that he could hold a clinic (and be full) just for enlarged lymph nodes.
Hope this reassures you.

[sybilfaulty]

Bear, my DD had this when she was 4. Her nodes were up for 8 weeks and my beloved GP referred for blood tests to rule out nasties. A long few days to wait but all was well.

I expect someone has palpated his tummy to check if his spleen is enlarged. The GP said that it would be exceedingly rare for it to be serious with no other symptoms and some children just have big glands which take ages to go down. In addition, they get one virus after another at nursery, even if they are mild and don't cause symptons, so the immune system could be fighting them off without you knowing, IYSWIM.

Take care and keeping everything crossed for you.