To keep worrying about this?

[Malapropist]

OK, so just to say up front that I know any advice from strangers on the internet is no substitute for proper medical advice but I'm on holiday and I can't stop worrying and last night I was wide awake for about 3 hours thinking about it and basically freaking out (it's weird how everything seems scarier at 4am).

So, here it is:

Last October I noticed a small pea-sized lump in my neck. Went to the doctor who said it was a lymph node that was enlarged because I have dermatitis on my scalp, which is sore and a bit red - so it was fighting an infection there.

They said not to worry but to come back if it didn't go away.

It didn't go away.

I went back in april to the doc who said it was probably still nothing but since it had been so long she wanted to confirm with her supervisor and would call me. She never did but I forgot about it a bit and life carried on.

It's still there. And I can feel another smaller lump further up near my hairline. Now, as soon as I am home I am going to go back to the doctor because here is what's worrying me - yes it's probably still just a reaction to my dermatitis BUT what if its not!? What if that is just coincidence and it means the doctors won't send me for tests because they think it's just that but actually it is something bad!? Would I have more symptoms? Or can it turn into something more sinister because it's been so long? You hear stories of people, especially young people, who have cancer but because it's so unlikely the doctor doesn't send them for tests until they have been back about 5 times!

I know someone who died from lymphoma after finding a lump in her neck when she was my age (mid-30s) and left her small children motherless. This is what's keeping me awake at night. I have 2 small children and would like a third. And I can't stop imagining what would happen if this was something more sinister.

Someone please help me to get a grip! Am I being ridiculous? I am a worrier at the best of times and this keeps getting to me!

Go back to your GP and insist it's followed up. There is little point getting worked up (I know this is difficult) before you know what it is.

This worry will only cause you stress and it sounds like it's really affecting you. Push your doctor, hope all is well

I have a few in my neck. One I noticed recently after a cold and it's still there. Everyone has lymph nodes, you are supposed to be able to feel some. Everyone will feel some if they go looking and aren't overweight.
It's worrying when they're enlarged and keep growing. My son has one the size of a large grape on his neck at all times, I can actually see it from across the room. I actually asked for a scan on it as it did worry me. Turns out, it's not actually enlarged, just normal sized! They have certain measurements and if they aren't above them, they don't worry.
Pea sized isn't englarged. I can feel pea sized lymph nodes in my neck, armpits and groin.

The doctors are clearly not concerned but if it's something that's going to keep you up at night then you have to go back

They're it testing you because it's the NHS. Not because it's not serious. Where I come from they check anyway just in case.

YANBU. But. When I had mine looked at, they told me that over 80% of lumps are completely benign and dont need any treatment at all.
If your doctor was concerned they would have had you in for a biopsy within 2 weeks and they would have chased it up.
Its pointless telling you not to worry, so try to manage your worrying - allow yourself 2 minutes to wallow, then tell yourself to see your doctor when you get home. Then distract yourself.

Thank you! This is reassuring!

Part of me wants to march in to the dr and demand investigation just to put my mind at rest - but I don't want to waste time and money (for NHS) if it's really unnecessary. Plus a neck lump biopsy sounds terrifyingly painful!

Trying not to worry about it and it's easier during the day. But come the darkness of the night it's really hard to be positive. I get all melodramatic, weeping while cuddling my toddler!

Do you have health anxiety?
The NHS don't test every pea sized gland because we all have so many. However, if it's causing anxiety then that's different.
Your toddler will also have them, although I don't advise to go feeling!

The thing is, you don't know if it's unnecessary until you know what it is. My mum is a GP, I'm a student nurse, if it's causing you this much upset it's causing problems in your daily life. So it is absolutely worth investigating.

The lack of sleep and the stress is enough to affect your health, so even if the lumps turn out to be nothing, it's worth the cost and time to the NHS.

Go to your GP, explain honestly about how much worry this is causing you and they should take you seriously. Patients have been known to go to GPs and say "I'm not worried but I've got this blahblahblah" and inside they're screaming. But then the GP thinks they haven't got any real concern.

All things considered, you're likely completely well but the stress this is causing you is enough for it to be investigated xx

I've had two neck biopsys, they are nothing.

I've got post viral enlarged lymph nodes.

I had a P.E.T scan and biopsy last year and one again this year.

There's only a few stitches put in and you go a week later to get them out. You come out with a small plaster.

The worst bit is not going down to theatre until the afternoon and having to be Nil by Mouth.

I set my alarm at 5.30am to have something to eat.

I'm now going to Haematology to sort out my Lymph Nodes.

Just to add, I had swelling that got bigger and went through rapid ENT.

It wouldn't be ignored if it was in a spot that could be something sinister.

Just realised I didn't reply again and say thank you for all the reassuring messages.

I have been to my GP now who isn't worried at all but has sent me for a blood test and ultrasound just to make sure it looks normal!

I'm sleeping much better now!