Medical Problem during Lockdown

[Harktheharker]

Not an AIBU but I wasn't sure where to post for traffic and need advice. Sorry if it's long.

I'm not sure what to do. Family I have spoken to have advised I speak to a GP or seek some sort of medical advice.

I really don't want to have to do that at this point. I don't want to put further pressure on the system if I don't have too. I also have anxiety and with all the changes have no idea who I would even contact at the moment.

I have, what I presume, is swollen glands under my jaw/chin around the throat area.

There's a bit of a back story. Since I was a teenager I've suffered on and off with my glands swelling in this particular area. I assume they are swelling in response to fighting any underlying infections or viruses I might've caught. But obviously I'm not a Doctor.

I can't remember exactly when but I think in the later part of last year, the gland swelled suddenly, the first time in quite a while. No other symptoms. I saw an out of hours Doctor who said it couldn't be the glands because they don't get that big. I looked rather like a toad at this point. He advised it was likely a dental issue. I didn't agree. He prescribed antibiotics anyway. I have seen my dentist on numerous occasions since then for some fillings. I also saw a Nurse later about something unrelated and mentioned it and she said that the glands could get that big.

Anyway, it went away and then in January it happened again. Though I had caught some kind of virus off my toddler so assumed it had swelled in response to that. I didn't seek treatment and eventually it went by itself.

Until about three weeks ago. I had a dry cough and began self isolating in case I had CoVid-19. Two days later, I came down with a sore throat and there we go, my gland began to swell again. I wasn't concerned. It's incredibly painful but I thought it was just a response to the sore throat and dry cough.

The sore throat and dry cough went and slowly the gland swelling went down and stopped being painful. [It can take weeks and weeks for it to fully return to normal but the initial swelling can go down quite quickly] Until about three days ago. I look like a toad again. The gland has swelled right up again. It's so so painful. When I yawn it hurts and sends some kind of referred pain along my jaw line and into my left ear. I don't have a sore throat this time. A very very mild and occasional cough.

I'm not sure whether I should be worried or whether since the latter part of 2019 I've just had some bad luck with catching lots of viruses and this is just a bad luck response to that.

I really don't want to have seek medical advice if I don't have too. Can anyone offer any advice?

Sorry - that was long. Thanks if you got through that.

I would call your GP and get a telephone review.

Hey, don’t worry about calling your GP - lots are doing telephone / video consultations now and ours certainly isn’t too busy (yet!)

Call and be put on the triage list. Most places work by having a Dr call you back and advise whether you need to be seen. If they think you do then they ask you to go in. Don't feel guilty, GP's are still working to provide a medical service to their patients in and among this awful Covid-19 pandemic.

Could be a Goitre if it’s your neck. www.nhs.uk/conditions/goitre/

Thanks for the advice.

I don't think it's Goitre. I looked at photos and it's not that low down.

Hopefully attaching a picture -- have highlighted in pink where the area of swelling is.

Ring your GP they should triage you over the phone.

Ring the GP - even though places are physically closed they're still answering phones and have emergency procedures in place to get you in if needed. DD2 is having problems with her vision and we've got a GP telephone tomorrow, and then a pathway if we need to get her seen in the eye departments (she was due to be seen there anyway) as an emergencyily triaged case.

It might not be relevant but there is a bit of mumps around at the moment. My daughter, who has had all her MMR jabs, has Mumps at the moment. It's been going around her university. One of her glands under her right ear is enormous. A number of her (inoculated) friends have had it too.

Definitely worth talking to your GP. Mine are offering telephone and video calling assessments.

Someone posted on here a bit back about a blocked salivary gland, could it be that? She sorted it with salt water rinses, massage and warmth if I remember correctly. Oh and sucky sweets, the kind that make your mouth water.

I've had covid19 (confirmed by test) and one of my symptoms were swollen painful glands exactly where you have highlighted.

That with your other symptoms makes me think you've got covid19 too.

I'm 3weeks in and still have cough / sore throat so symptoms can go on for a long time.

I get swollen out there, it’s blocked salivary gland. Like pp said, sorted with massage, salt water and something that makes the mouth water!

Well, I had a video consultation with the Doctor. She thinks it's a cyst and not a nasty one but is referring me to ENT with a two week wait so they can rule out cancer just in case. Very worried now.