DD sent for tests/four swollen lymph nodes - really worried

[MayorMumbum]

To cut a long story short, my 4YO DD has been unwell recently and has also started limping after a fall at school despite Xrays/ exams showing no fractures.

The GP has referred us for urgent blood tests (though they still can't see us until Wednesday) after discovering four swollen lymph nodes on DD's neck. I'm terrified.
Just looking for a hand hold really, she's always been a hardy little thing until the last few weeks.

Didn't want to read and run, don't have much by way of advice but I'm here to hand hold. I have a 5yr old and if I were in your shoes I'd also be terrified by this so you're totally within your rights to be worried but try not to let it consume your every thought. Try to cross each bridge as you come to it. Could you go to A&E for more urgent blood test if you can't take the anticipation of waiting til next Wed? Did they test her urine? It could be a bad kidney infection.

Hi OP. Been in exactly the same situation, although my daughter wasn't limping she would just sit down in exhaustion. The lumps in her neck varied from being massive to hardly noticeable. Doctor wouldn't do a blood test so in the end I did something I always say not to - I went to A&E and said that she really wasn't right...even though in reality she didn't seem that poorly at all but I was soooo worried.

Blood tests came back within an hour, they showed very high white blood cells and anaemia so bad that they admitted her. There followed a series of tests, including tumour tracing but this came up negative. Thankfully following IV antibiotics and a transfusion, the lumps went down. Now I've noticed when she's poorly or a little exhausted, the lymph nodes swell quite significantly.

I can totally understand your worry. Whilst I don't condone unnecessary A&E visits (NHS Senior Management here)...sometimes needs must. I do hope all will be ok for you.

Oh gosh Always your poor DD they look so painful!

My DDs aren't as bad as that but they're multiplying.. She's had one got six weeks and now has four, so we have to rule everything out.
If she develops any other symptom or if she is sick again I'm bringing her to A&E

Has the doctor said they will definitely do the bloods next week? Or just see her again? Make sure they give you some Emla cream to put on before she has them done, brilliant stuff 👌

My dd gets these behind her ears for the past few years when she gets a cold and the first time like you I was really worried but they where nothing serious.
But I do understand we all worry about our kids.

Oh OP you must be so worried
Completely different situation to you but I’m waiting on yet more tests for my one year old so I know how worried you must be. Keep thinking positive, for what it’s worth the comments on here so far seem quite reassuring but I know that’s easy for me to say. Take care.

So sorry you are worried OP. Both my DD's have always gotten MASSIVE lymph nodes with only minor infections. DD's when she was 3/4 could be seen from metres away. Nursery staff would always comment.

Some kids really are just lumpy,

Is this your 2nd active thread about this ?

Please try not to worry too much. Swollen lymph nodes in children are extremely common. My ds has had a huge one in his neck from about the age of 2. It used to protrude right out when he turned his neck like a very large marble.

I worried myself sick and went to the gp who was also worried and referred him under the two week cancer pathway for suspected lymphoma. When we saw the consultant (the top paediatric consultant at our local hospital) he was spitting feathers that our gp had put the wind up us like that, in fact he was quite rude and after introducing himself said "So why does your GP think he's got cancer" . So basically he had a good feel and said it was absolutely nothing to get our knickers in a twist about. Just an enlarged node that had calcified, prob due to all the infections he'd had at nursery.

He still has the lump now, he's 11 and it doesn't protrude as much now his neck is more muscly etc.

He didn't have a limp or need blood tests though.

Could you go to A&E for more urgent blood test if you can't take the anticipation of waiting til next Wed?

Please don’t suggest A&E for things like this. It isn’t an appropriate use of A&E and they will only refer back to GP as investigations are already underway.

Yes it's my second active thread about this . I was terrified yesterday and thought children's health might be a better place for advice.
Thank you all so much for the reassurance. I haven't slept a wink as DD has been really unsettled all night.
It's reassuring to know that swollen nodes seem to be fairly common. My other two DCs have never seemed to get them. Im just hoping it's just a viral thing and the fall/limp is unrelated.
Thanks again all, I will keep you updated .

Yes not sure how calling that out was helpful @AnyFucker .

OP it really does sound like your GP is being super cautious. Hope you get answers very soon

I agree your GP does sound like they're being cautious so if you can wait, please do. My doctors were the complete opposite. I had to watch my daughter go downhill over 8 weeks because he thought a blood test would be too invasive. Obviously I know now that was due to the anaemia but I still felt let down by the GP.

Anyfucker sometimes your cutting remarks are well placed here when a mother has an understandable fear of a horrible diagnosis moves her moved on thread to a more suitable area

They are investigating try and keep calm until Weds

Just wanted to say we had very similar circumstances with our DD when she was little and it all turned out okay. It was terrifying. Try not to worry. It could be fine. They are being cautious by making sure it is nothing serious and they will help her if it is but there is a good chance it isn't. Much better they check it straight away them fob you off with 'it's probably nothing'. You would still be worrying. Tests will let you know for sure. I hope all goes well.

It was not a "cutting remark" or a "call out" it was a simple question. The other thread is still active and op is getting lots of support on it. Another thread won't help because MN'ers cannot diagnose and/or properly reassure so asking the same questions again can only fuel anxiety.

Op, wait for the doctors to do their job and I hope all is fine. All the best.

You're probably right @Anyfucker. Sorry I was grumpy. I didn't sleep much last night.
I'm just looking for reassurance no one can give me I suppose and now just have to wait.
Thanks again all, will let you know what the test results are.

@MayorMumbum hello did you find out what was wrong with your little one?

Was something wrong??

Would really like to know if something was wrong

Any update on this? My son has a one single similar lymph node above. Has had blood work results come back normal and ultrasound came back normal and showing reactive lymph node. It’s been 6 months and they keep saying they will monitor it.