Health panic...talk some sense into me

[ParanoidAnnDroid]

Caught a cold about 3 weeks ago which I'm still struggling to shake off.

Last Thursday noticed a small, swollen lump...like a swollen gland on the back of my neck/shoulder curve iykwim.

I've been on HRT for about 4 months but noticed lately it's not been as affective with controlling the night sweats and hot flushes, and am still having bleeds even though I have a mirena coil.
Previously had one for 10 years with not even a bit of spotting.

Aware that all the above are also potentially lymphoma symptoms...and really struggling.

Requested a phone consultation last Thursday but didn't get a call. Will try again tomorrow but have a busy day and don't hold out much hope.

Am away for a long weekend this week and starting to get really anxious about that too I'm case something is wrong and gets worse...it'll just be me and DD.

I'm as worried about not being taken seriously and timescales for getting to the bottom of whatever it is as much as anything and just feel like crap with generally being under the weather and worrying myself sick.

Any words of support/wisdom/buck yourself up and stop being a twat?

Hi OP Health anxiety is the worst isn't it. For what it's worth everything you describe could also (and more likely) be caused by a nasty viral infection that you haven't shaken. Swollen glands just show you are fighting something and the same can be true for night sweats. You should certainly see the doctor to put your mind at rest but tonight, try and listen to the rational side of your brain that knows that this is more likely to be a cold than anything else.

I know it's an issue and I'm usually pretty good at fending it off but this has really bothered me.

I think part of it is knowing so many people who've had cancer...combined with the fact I've had a fairly crappy few years and am just about starting to take baby steps forward, but have always had this feeling in the back of my mind that something like would happen before I could get properly back on my feet.

I'm not naturally a pessimist...I think I've just forgotten what a normal, averagely happy and stress free life feels like.

OP, I suffer from health anxiety too. I’ve also had scared for so many things - usually cancer, as that’s the scariest thing, and symptoms of cancer are the same as symptoms for SO many totally mild, harmless conditions. I was absolutely convinced I have had several types of cancer at different points because I had all the symptoms and just couldn’t possibly imagine what else it could be! I felt absolutely sick with fear and was convinced there was no other possibility.

I have been wrong every time!

As for the cold, there’s a lot of horrible lingering colds picking up speed at this time of year - I have had one which seemed to take forever to go away too - and if your body is fighting off a virus it’s absolutely normal to have a swollen lymph node. Believe me because swollen lymph nodes are one of my anxiety triggers and the doctor even told me that we shouldn’t even search for them because our body normally has a swollen lymph node! We are always fighting something even when we don’t know. Night sweats can also happen when your body is fighting something.

The other symptoms could easily be caused by the things you think aren’t causing them! A coil can cause spotting even if it didn’t last time.

Try not to worry! I know that sounds hard but I really can’t even tell you how often I have had this exact situation - been really certain that I had symptoms of a disease as listen on the NHS website or other sites - and it’s been nothing!

See the doctor to put your mind at ease but don’t worry!

Thanks...I keep telling myself about the lingering cold...I know I'm not the only one as DD and our housemate have also had it.

Not only that it's the first cold I've had in about about 3 years so my immune system is probably thinking WTAF is this??!!

One minute I'm completely rational, the next I'm worried sick...it's driving me mad.

I'm sorry you both struggle with it too. My mum is awful for it and I've always strive to be the complete opposite. In fact I always worry about how I'm perceived/not being taken seriously because until recently mum was at the same surgery and I don't want to be tarred with the same brush.

Managed to see GP this morning...he thinks it's probably something muscular but am having full bloods done on Thursday due to generally feeling crap and needing regular one anyway for ongoing condition.

Was talking to a friend a short while ago and realised I'd been ferreting about in the loft last week and really struggling to get to a couple of things I needed so it's entirely possible I've made something go ping by overstretching at an awkward angle.

Not completely worry free but feeling a bit better...and also a bit of a tit!

I'm night sweats are a symptom of the current version of Covid.

@GettingStuffed I've done multiple tests as I care for my elderly mum...all negative