Lymph node worry

[ScarletSienna]

Looking for any insight/experience or reassurance!

I have a small, pea sized, hard, rubbery lump on the left of my neck in the cervical chain area. It doesn't move and not sure how long I've had it. I'm well aside from this.

I went to the GP on Friday and he has sent of 4 blood tests but I'm not sure what for as the nurse who took them just said, 'a bit of a look'. Any idea what they may be looking for?

Obviously trying not to worry but am worried!

[ScarletSienna]

Anybody?

[hairymuffet]

Probably checking for signs of infection.
Low lying that your not aware of.
I had one a couple of years ago for ages then suddenly went away.
Gp thought it was due to having 2 bad headcolds, one after the other. Although the lump didn't appear until a few weeks later.

[PoshPenny]

I had one of these it was there for ages (months) I went to the doctor and was referred for an ultrasound scan. It turned out to be nothing significant and then after all that drama it disappeared of its own accord.

[ScarletSienna]

Thank you both-I really appreciate you replying. I'm wondering if I'm overly anxious about anything medical as I just can't seem to be rational about it so it is great to read your experiences

[Only1scoop]

I've a 'pea' and a 'bean' in my neck as you describe. Been there as long as I can remember....always best to get them checked though.
Blood tests a normal routine for enlarged nodes etc. Sure they will be fine.

[LlamaBananas]

They may be checking thyroid function amongst other thibgs like infection markers etc.
Is the lump where your thyroid is?
Very easily treated if a thyroid nodule. I speak from experience.

[bialystockandbloom]

Just wanted to say that my dd had exactly the same last year - pea sized enlarged cervical lymph node which remained unchanged for about 8 months. Several ultrasounds, blood tests etc, all inconclusive so she had a biopsy to remove and examine it - absolutely fine. No real explanation about what caused it, why it stayed enlarged for so long etc, but nothing sinister whatsoever. It's very stressful but I gathered it is very common so please try not to think the worst. I think blood tests would show anything that might warrant further investigation eg raised ESR levels but these tests are totally run of milk, so I think they'd do them as a matter of course, not because they're specifically worried, iyswim.

[bialystockandbloom]

Run of the mill, not milk!

[ScarletSienna]

Thanks all. It's not near my thyroid (embarrassingly I had to google where that is!). I have had a lot of ear infections this last 12 months after having none previously so maybe it is linked. Only and Bean, good to know it can be totally 'one of those things' where the 'things' are ok but unexplained. The doctor did mention ultrasound actually.

[ScarletSienna]

The bloods all came back as normal so tomorrow I have an appointment to see the doctor. I guess next stage will be the ultrasound. The waiting is hard-anxiety is high!