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AIBU?

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Original poster

Swollen/lump in middle of neck

66 replies

monkeymoox · 02/10/2023 20:10

Don't know where to put this question sorry!

I'm still getting over a weird flu from last Monday - no cold symptoms just flu symptoms.

I noticed a swelling in the middle of my neck in the middle - it just looks like a small bulge that im sure I didn't have before. It is very mild looking - not noticeable until I saw my neck from the side in the mirror. Instead of my neck going straight down it seems to slightly bulge out.

Is this simply a minor swollen gland/lymph node from my flu or should I be concerned?
To add - I do have massive health anxiety and I also have nervous swallow (I excessively swallow simply due to nerves).

Hope someone can help! Thanks

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 03/10/2023 00:20

Sorry OP, I don't understand the panic over something so easily dealt with.

Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 00:22

@Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic

No I'm not sure at all - I thought my flu was covid but I took two tests that were negative. However I do have problems taking the tests as I'm mardy basically so I may not have done tbe tests properly. (I've not been out with the illness either so won't have infected others).

My flu was basically feeling hot and sweaty, extremely weak, bad headache and sicky feeling. I had a very mild sore throat on and off too but the symptoms were definitely more flu - they started Sunday/Monday. I have been extremely stressed too so I initially put it down to stress...

OP posts:
Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic · 03/10/2023 00:22

TheShellBeach · 03/10/2023 00:20

Sorry OP, I don't understand the panic over something so easily dealt with.

Honestly, as if anything is “easily dealt with” in the current NHS.

OP it’s ok to feel that it’s all a bit much when you have lots of stuff going on - the fertility issues don’t happen to be PCOS do they, because they can go hand in hand with thyroid issues too x

Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 00:23

@TheShellBeach

What if I have to have my thyroid removed or more surgery- I am not in any mental state to cope with this. What if this has impacted my fertility even more and these problems have screwed me and i never get pregnant? That's what I'm panicking about

OP posts:
Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 00:24

@Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic

I waited over a year for my last 'urgent' surgery so this does panic me being left again.

Not PCOS - I don't have any of those symptoms and I also checked at both of my surgeries. Xx

OP posts:
ChannelyourinnerElsa · 03/10/2023 00:39

You need to speak to a GP about your anxiety. Please. What help have you tried before? I’d put the physical to one side for a minute, you sound very distressed. Over something that shouldn’t really be causing such a terrible amount of anxiety and stress, if you were on a more even keel.

whateveryouwantmetosay · 03/10/2023 00:41

ChannelyourinnerElsa · 03/10/2023 00:39

You need to speak to a GP about your anxiety. Please. What help have you tried before? I’d put the physical to one side for a minute, you sound very distressed. Over something that shouldn’t really be causing such a terrible amount of anxiety and stress, if you were on a more even keel.

Seriously, stop being so patronizing. The OP has a lump on her neck, hasn't been well, and is dealing with additional health concerns on top!

OP, definitely call your GP in the morning and get seen asap. I'm sure it's minor, as other posters have indicated.

Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 00:44

@whateveryouwantmetosay

♥️♥️

I'm going to give it another day and see if it goes down - I'm hoping it is just from my flu/covid as it is convenient it's appeared at the same time. Xx

OP posts:
Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 00:49

@ChannelyourinnerElsa

I am extremely distressed as I have had so many health issues that I can't cope with anymore

OP posts:
CallieQ · 03/10/2023 00:52

Best to get that checked out with docs OP

Beepbopadooda · 03/10/2023 00:55

OP please Don't put off going to the GP about this. Chances are it's nothing hugely serious but I wouldn't take the risk of waiting.

Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 00:56

@Beepbopadooda

I just think it's convenient that it's came on whilst I have flu..

OP posts:
TheLastScone · 03/10/2023 01:02

Stop trying to humiliate her. She is afraid and overwhelmed, due to previous stress. Have some compassion and wind your necks back in.

OP I agree with the more conscientious replies, take a deep breath, see the gp and go along with it. It's hard to quiet the panic response but most things work out fine. Trust the PP's who have experience with this issue and try to soothe your mind. We are conditioned to think that all lumps and bumps are problematic, but the vast percentage of them are simply part and parcel of being alive.
I hope you can find some mental space to sleep. Best wishes.

TheLastScone · 03/10/2023 01:03

The flu might be a huge coincidence, I have had a few of those! It could have some relation to it, I am not an expert, but think about getting it over with, imagine the sigh of relief when coming away!

Scoobydoobydoobydoo0987 · 03/10/2023 01:04

Firstly, don't panic! I had this, and it was a goitre, I developed an overactive thyroid. My main symptoms were anxiety, feeling shaky, weak, weight loss, and tenderness in my throat. I went to Dr's and they confirmed a simple blood test. There are plenty of treatments, I first started taking tablets for it, but in the end, I had radioactive iodine to kill part of my thyroid. I went on to have 2 children, so don't panic. Book a GP appointment ASAP to put your mind at rest as if it is a thyroid issue, it's very easily treatable.

Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 01:05

@TheLastScone

Thank you so so so much ♥️♥️♥️

I absolutely hate being the way I am - my anxiety has genuinely destroyed me. I'm completely aware I have a major anxiety problem - I wish more than anything I wasn't the way I am.

OP posts:
Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 01:07

@Scoobydoobydoobydoo0987

Thank you - I have been extremely shaky and weak but only this week with my flu. My weakness has been going on a little longer but put this down to stress and being a bit unfit.

I was under the impression that thyroid issues destroyed your natural fertility and once it's happened that's it!

OP posts:
Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 01:08

@TheLastScone

Will the lump/swelling go away? Or is that there forever?

OP posts:
Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 01:14

Does it necessarily matter if it's an under or over active thyroid? Is one worse to have?

If I do have that it seems to be pointing to an over active..

OP posts:
Scoobydoobydoobydoo0987 · 03/10/2023 01:15

monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 01:07

@Scoobydoobydoobydoo0987

Thank you - I have been extremely shaky and weak but only this week with my flu. My weakness has been going on a little longer but put this down to stress and being a bit unfit.

I was under the impression that thyroid issues destroyed your natural fertility and once it's happened that's it!

If it is your thyroid, you just need to get your thyroid levels under control. Mine are managed now by taking tablets every day, and when we decided to TTC, I knew my levels were stable. It took us 4 months to concieve our DD and then 2 months to concieve our DS. The only thing is you have to be closely monitored in pregnancy as you'll need to increase the medication as the baby takes the mothers thyroid hormone for growth. I'm kind of going off topic a bit! I just wanted to reassure you that you can go on to have children even with thyroid problems. I agree with PP, who said women struggle to conceive when your thyroid is out of whack and your hormones are all over the place.

Scoobydoobydoobydoo0987 · 03/10/2023 01:22

I think they are both similar, and it doesn't make much difference under/over. I had an overactive and then had radioactive iodine to kill part of the thyroid. In my case, it killed too much of the thyroid and made it go underactive, so now I take tablets called levothyroxine each day to provide my body with enough thyroid hormone. In some cases, they may be able to treat an overactive thyroid to the point of not making it go underactive, its just a bit of luck, really. I no longer have a goitre either. Keep us posted, and let us know how you get on OP.

Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 01:25

@Scoobydoobydoobydoo0987

Thank you so much for explaining this to me - it makes sense. I do think my hormones are all over the place so maybe finding this neck lump thing will be a good thing (in a weird way) to get my hormones balanced!

OP posts:
Original poster
monkeymoox · 03/10/2023 01:28

@Scoobydoobydoobydoo0987

Sorry didn't see you posted again!

You've explained it all so well and I've calmed down a lot now. My friend has an underactive thyroid that was diagnosed when she went in with another problem. She's been on pills every since and has felt an improvement (she was constantly exhausted, headaches and general low mood). When she got diagnosed I selfishly thought thank god that's not me 😳😳

I will definitely update - I'm giving it one more day and then I'll ring first thing Wednesday.

Thank you xx

OP posts:
HironsBirons · 03/10/2023 06:55

Thyroid and fertility problems go hand in hand. I’ve got both. I’m hoping once I’ve had the hemithyroidectomy that my symptoms and fertility will improve.
A goiter can be brought on by anything. I’m 99% sure mine appeared after my covid vaccines.

NonMiDispiace · 03/10/2023 07:00

I had a very similar swelling, an ultrasound showed three cysts on my thyroid. Definitely non-cancerous and they seem to come and go. GP is monitoring them but no other action.
Mine was very noticeable initially.