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Original poster

So scared about 4yo

20 replies

Strawred · 30/06/2025 15:25

On Friday I took my 4yo to the GP as I had noticed a lump on his neck. When the doctor checked he felt 2 on one side and 3 on the other. He referred him for an ultrasound and I’ve just had a phone call from the hospital asking if I could bring him for the ultrasound tomorrow. I’m even more worried now at how fast the appointment has come through. Is this normal? Am I over thinking

OP posts:
myladyjane · 30/06/2025 15:45

My now teenage dd had this at the same age. She had a visible lump in her neck which didn’t go down. She’s always been tiny and dh also mentioned to the dr that she’d not gained much weight so we got a very swift referral for an ultrasound. She just had ‘shotty glands’ which they told me at the ultrasound. No follow up, very common. The dr said lymph node raise as part of an infection and just didn’t deflate. She had them raised in her groin and elsewhere as well.

obviously needs to be checked but just sharing as this seemed to be not unusual.

hby9628 · 30/06/2025 15:47

Don’t worry about how quick the apt is. Likely they’ve had a cancellation and are fitting people in. I had this with something for myself.
I know it’s hard not to panic but the sooner you know the better. The likelihood of it being anything untoward is low.
good luck tomorrow

KaleQueen · 30/06/2025 18:08

It’s very good they’re seeing you quickly. My daughter had similar to this. She was 3 at the time. We got sent to hospital on the same day as we saw the gp. She basically rang them they said send her in now. It was stomach droppingly worrying. So I u understand. It turned out to be something fairly rare and a bit complex but not anything sinister at all. NHS work at lightening speed for children when they need to. You’re in good hands. Good luck.

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okydokethen · 30/06/2025 18:51

DD also had a weird lump in neck which alarmed GP and terrified me! Scan person and consultant were completely unfazed and it was just a raised gland.

MarshmallowValentine · 30/06/2025 18:56

hby9628 · 30/06/2025 15:47

Don’t worry about how quick the apt is. Likely they’ve had a cancellation and are fitting people in. I had this with something for myself.
I know it’s hard not to panic but the sooner you know the better. The likelihood of it being anything untoward is low.
good luck tomorrow

This! Happens all the time. I’ve driven myself mad overthinking the possible reasons. Try to see it as a positive that they are seeing you swiftly. My son has (even now years later) a raised node on the back of his head which he had an ultrasound on. It was not considered suspicious. Still there. Hope all goes well.

Lovelybitofsquirrel · 30/06/2025 19:21

I know it’s easy to say but try not to worry. They can’t say what the problem is without the ultrasound, so the speed of the appointment is just luck rather than urgency.

Breakingoutdanceraven · 30/06/2025 19:25

Had a very similar scenario, the swollen gland/lump were on both sides for months. Ultrasound and blood test performed, was not sinister, potentially due to developing teeth or infection and not gone down. Once teeth had grown they all disappeared. I hope all goes well and it’s good that you’re getting a scan quickly to help provide some answers. I also had multiple swollen nodes on the back of my neck and had an ultrasound too and it was ok, they couldn’t give me exact cause but they also went down. Wishing you all the best.

3awesomestars · 30/06/2025 19:26

A few years ago, just before Covid my teenage son found a lump on his testicle, we phoned the GP - he was seen the same day and he was sent for a scan the following day. I was beside myself but it turned out to be nothing of concern and whilst panicked we both then appreciated the swift response. So I think it is usual to check these things out quickly for the obvious reasons you are worried about but I am sure most turn out to be harmless.
I empathise with your worry, but getting it checked out is the best thing to do.

GiddyRoseCrab · 30/06/2025 19:39

My four year old has had a couple of lumps on his neck, one has been there for ages and is still there. Had them checked and it’s viral related. I don’t want to say yours will be too, but these lumps and bumps aren’t uncommon. It’s scary though and I really hope that all works out okay. Xxx

Holliegee · 30/06/2025 19:41

I suspect your Gp thinks it’s an infection and your sons glands are swollen, this has happened at least 3 times to my children during their childhood, once we were even told to go directly to the hospital for tests.

Things happen so quickly with children (positively or negatively) and I think the Gp and the hospital are just acting quickly and possibly there’s been a cancellation.

we once had to go to A&E referred by the Gp and Ds was set to have his appendix out…. Within a couple of hours after 3 days of tears and pain the child (my son) suddenly perked up and we went home to never have an issue !!

As a mum of grown up children I say don’t worry until you need to.

Original poster
Strawred · 30/06/2025 19:47

Thanks so much everyone. You’ve all calmed me down!

OP posts:
herbalteabag · 30/06/2025 19:48

My son had one at 3, it wasn't anything, just a shotty lymph node. It was there for years, I could sometimes see it. It might still be there now, but his neck is thicker as he's nearly an adult so it doesn't show up any more.

Ssmiler · 30/06/2025 20:24

My son had exactly this at the same age and like you I was so worried. Turned out to be nothing -probably just his reaction to any mild cold or infection they said. It happened a few more times too then eventually he seemed to grow out of it. Try not to worry OP

Moonbark · 30/06/2025 21:03

I’ve just been to the GP for the same reason. My son is 22 months and has a noticeable lump on one side. On examination GP said that he had a few more in his neck and groin that were raised but he wasn’t concerned. Asked me to bring him back is any grew (didn’t go up and down) or if accompanied with fever, night sweats etc. so hopefully all ok!

CreteBound · 30/06/2025 21:06

Yeah both my kids had super lumpy necks! You could see the lumps from meters away. It was just their glands. It went down with age.

FlowerPower2525 · 30/06/2025 21:06

Ds is always getting this. Gp said raised glands as fighting infection. Last time it was like am egg on his neck. He couldn't move without hurting , taking a top off made him cry. It settled in about 10 days. Good luck at scan.

raffathegaffa · 30/06/2025 21:31

I felt a couple of pea sized lumps on my 2yo DS neck in bed last night when I was stroking his head to get him to sleep. If they’re not massive and just feel like swollen glands I wouldn’t worry, they’re just reactive to any sort of common illness etc

mindutopia · 30/06/2025 21:34

Yes, the speed of the appointment is normal if they want to investigate it further. They will want to see him before they go down so they can get good pictures of how they look while swollen. It sounds like you have a conscientious GP who has advocated for you and that can only be a good thing.

Original poster
Strawred · 01/07/2025 15:01

Had the appointment, all is fine x

OP posts:
Ssmiler · 02/07/2025 08:08

@Strawred great news! Delighted for you and hope this thread helped while you were waiting.

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