my daughter's swollen lymph node

[cutekids]

i've posted about this before but a good while ago.my 7yr old daughter has had an enlarged lymph node in her neck for nearly 14 months now. after a few visits to various doctors last year, one of them eventually wrote to my daughter's consultant-he used to assess her slow-growth.When he saw her-just before Christmas 2004-he gave her thorough examination and was pretty sure that she had an enlarged lymph-node that he wasn't worried about at all. In fact, apart from the fact that I was racked with worry, he didn't really think he needed to give her a blood-test but he did it for my sake. Thank God, her results came back exactly as he had predicted and everything was fine. Only thing is, I still couldn't rest and after about a month I took her to see about 5 more doctors. One doctor eventually told me that I must stop worrying about it and it was "nothing sinister". Again, I was so relieved and I learned to live with it for the last 8/9 months. Weird thing is, I've gone completely paranoid about going to the Docs about anything now. A couple of times, my kids have had little ailments and i've just withstood the test of time hoping they'd go away and-thankfully-they have. It's been a kind of thing in my head that I must not go the doctors cos once you get on that rollercoaster you seem to be on it for weeks-i've got 3 kids.However, she's still got this "lump". Sometimes it's easier to find than other times and I think it's stayed the same size.(not grown hopefully).I just get so worked up sometimes cos I feel if I mention it-even to my husband-that i'm being ridiculous.On the other hand, I hope to God i'm not letting my daughter down by not having it examined again. Trouble is, I get so tearful that I don't feel I could go to the Doctors on my own with her. I'm in a bit of a muddle really and I don't know whether i'm being paranoid or not.

[noddyholder]

I remember this as my ds has the same thing.He is 11 and still has it although it is a bit smaller.He is also slow at growing and is quite small but is fit as a fiddle and full of energy I am glad you got the answers from the doctor.The blood results would have shown up anything sinister xx

[cutekids]

NH,I remember you replying to my thread last time and you gave me some peace of mind. However, the blood results were just over a year ago. Do you think she would need more or do the blood-results last along time....if you understand what i'm getting at!

[noddyholder]

She will be fine with those ones I would think.The node was swollen I presume when she had the blood taken?My doctor said it is just like any other part of the body being an unusual shape or size.I have had to accept it Ds's was quite big for years and in the last year has got smaller.If she was seriously ill there would be more to go on than just this lump.Try to live each day if you can and stop looking for illness that isn't there.The time to worry was before the tests

[cutekids]

thanks, Noddy, that's what i've tried to do over the last year....took them on holiday twice last year!really appreciate you responding to my thread.

[noddyholder]

Thats ok!I remember it well I was convinced my ds had leukaemia and all sorts I now just live every day in its own right and try not to look too far ahead I apply this to most areas of my life and it keeps me sane!

[Steala]

I remember this too as my son has the same thing. He has had it since he was 3 weeks old (he is now 16 months). When I first mentioned it after about a week, the doctor took it quite seriously but said that as it was mobile, it was probably just a reaction to eczema and would go in a couple of weeks.

At his 8 week check, another doctor suggested that if I was really worried about it I could take him to a paediatrician but she agreed that it was due to eczema and not to worry as long as it didn't grow. I turned down the offer of taking him to a paediatrician because I felt reassured.

Since then it has grown and I have mentioned it again. I was told that as long as he was growing and seemed healthy not to worry. I was also told that any investigation would involve sticking a needle into it and I was told it wasn't necessary but to keep an eye on it.

Since then I have been back to the doctor countless times with him but as he has had an infection of some sort or another each time I haven't raised the issue of his lump because I am sure they would dismiss it as being completely expected when he is ill.

Your post has made me wonder whether I should take him back, although I would feel ridiculous taking him when he is healthy when I have taken him so many times when he isn't. Like you, although I feel reassured that the doctors son't think it is sinister, I don't want to ignore it if I should be doing something about it.

I'm sorry I can't be of help and I hope this post hasn't added to your worries. Perhaps though it is helpful to know that it is not just your daughter and that 3 other doctors have reassured me.

[cutekids]

sorry didn't get back to you earlier Steala.just come back to mumsnet - after having a good sob to myself actually - sometimes this really gets to me, other times i can handle it better. i think i know how you're feeling though so every now and again let's keep in touch. obviously, you have exactly the same concerns as me as to whether to take it further or to "let it go" and I know that i have "listened" to Noddy's advice on here aswell. funny how it can be a little reassuring when you know you're not the only one feeling like this though, isn't it?!i was also told that "messing about with it and getting it cut open could lead to complications" which is why i'm so unsure of which way to go. let's hope the doctors are correct and these aren't anything to worry about. x

[sandyballs]

Try not to worry. Some children do have enlarged lymph nodes - my DD is one of them. Apparently it is quite common. My doctor referred me to the Royal Marsden for blood tests and examinations when she was about 18 months which scared the life out of me but everything was fine. She is now nearly 5 and both lymph nodes are enlarged and I can feel them. The doctor told me as long as they are "wobbly" and not rock hard, they are fine.

[Heartmum2Jamie]

I wouldn't worry. My ds has had an enlarged lymph node in his neck for more than a year now (he's 19 months). I too panicked when I first found it, and was also told that it was fine and nothing to worry about. Ds has has loads of blood tests for various things, including cf and for cross matching bloods for his heart op and nothing untoward has ever shown up on those.

From reading these posts, I am guessing that ds may have this for years. I guess that I will just keep an eye on it.