Bumpy glands on neck: not usually prone to worrying but...

[WilfSell]

I try very hard not to worry about most health things until there is something to worry about. But I've just gotta get this off my chest and try and relax...

DS has had these (3-4) little pea-like glands that are bumpy on one side of his neck for ages. He seemed to get them after a bad dose of chickenpox but not sure. He has had them for up to two years. They seem to come up and down.

He has been particularly lethargic and tired over the last month and generally under the weather. Not eating as much as usual. Bumpy glands really noticeable again. GP thinks related to a virus but sending him to hosp just to be sure.

He has already been to see the paediatricians at the hosp once with these glands and they checked him over, asked questions, felt for spleen enlargement (which is apparently a symptom of the worrying things that this could be) and found none.

Still there though so went back to GP again today and have been referred again (for end of this month).

GP says she would worry too if her child had these and they weren't going away. But they're not getting bigger and they seem to be coming and going (we think) so she thought this would mean prob nothing to worry about.

I really don't want to insist there's a problem if there isn't but I would really like to know what is causing this.

I'd be interested to know if anyone has a view on what I should be asking when we get to the next paeds appt, and what I should expect them to investigate. I definitely don't want to subject my little one to a barrage of unnecessary tests but equally I don't want to be sent home uncertain still either.

[WilfSell]

bump...

[SmallShips]

Its good that he is being sent to the hospital, but from what you've said, it does sound like a reaction to a virus.

I have one gland on the back of my neck that pops out when i am ill, had it for about 2 years too.

I would go get all the tests, just for your peace of mind.

I'm sure everything is fine and hope DS feels better soon.

[lilolilmanchester]

DS had these and I was very worried as was GP. Specialist at hospital examined him and was very quickly able to say they were as a result of a virus, even though they had been there longer than he might have expected. I know you'll worry until you've been to the hospital but just to let you know we have had similar experience and was nothing sinister. Please let us know how you get on.

[brokenrecord]

DD2 has alwys had one of these as far as I know. I first felt it on her neck when she was less than a year old. (Haven't checked for several years now )

When she was about two she also had a purplish rash and the GP sent her for tests, but after scaring us out of our wits they couldn't actually find anything wrong, so I have just concluded that's normal for her. (She's 10 now.)

I hope it's all ok.

[macwoozy]

My ds has had a lumpy neck for the past 5 or so years. When I first noticed it, he was referred for a scan and nothing was found. There is actually a medical term for consantly raised lymph nodes that are not due to any related illness, I wish I could remember it so you could have a google, it might put your mind at rest a bit.

[brokenrecord]

I mean DD1 FWIW.

[WilfSell]

Thank you for your reassuring words. It sounds awful to say this but I'm am glad to hear others have poppy-outy glands too without it being anything serious.

I will report back after we visit the paeds.

[lilolilmanchester]

It doesn't sound awful - that's why we all post such things on MN!

[Fingerbobs]

Yes do please report back - my glands on my neck pop in and out whenever I'm ill - in fact that's how I used to be able to tell the difference between real illness and hangover, back in the days when I was able to have hangovers . I thought everyone's glands did this but obv not...

[mummytopebs]

My dd has a few health probs and she has some lymph nodes that come up on her neck when she has a virus, also she has 4 on her scalp just above her ear that are constantly swollen-all have been checked and ok

[WilfSell]

Reporting back... We had the hosp appt today. Doctor very reassuring but they took some blood (was interesting getting blood from a 4 yo!) to be sure.

Like you all say, he's convinced it is just nonstop viral infections but thought the bloods would put my mind at rest.

So, we're waiting on the letter but he was very clear and explained all the symptoms of serious things that DS2 didn't have...

[SmallShips]

Good news.

[KellyMB]

My 4 year old also has 3 pea sized glands on the side of his neck, the murse said they may be shotty glands. They seem to get larger when ill and it's driving me insane with worry. They have been there for about a year. I have arrnged for him to have a FBC and glandular fever check.

Have any of you got any similar experiences?