Lump on neck

[TickledPink]

I took DD1 (6 yrs) to doctors last monday as she has a lump on the botton right hand side of her neck. Long and short of it is that if it has not gone by next monday she wants to refer her to a Paed. I am obviously really worried and wondered if anyone has any experience of such things. The lump is painless and the docter said was on/is her gland. Many thanks.

My ds2 has had a lump on the bottom left hand side of his neck since he was a few months old. He was referred for further investigation. It was decided it was a permanently enlarged gland. They did offer (half-heartedly) to take it out but it seems the glands are in strings and if that one was removed then the next one in line would swell. So, of course we left it alone. It has never caused him any problems and he is 16yo now.

ds2's got something like this - he's 2.6 and has had it for at least a year - it's there all the time but swells up and is noticeable when he's poorly with cold/cough/flu type things. GP said it's one of his glands (he's got permanently enlarged tonsils as well - he's just a lumpy bumpy person!). GP didn't seem too bothered - told me to take ds2 back in 6 months if it hadn't disappeared, but we haven't because I don't want him going through an op if it's just a swollen gland.

Thankyou for that juule. I am hoping thats the case. I guess with these things they refer you to be on safe side. It didn't help that the doctor sais "ah yes, thats big isn,t it?" etc etc. (thanks for that doc ) And she said oh yes we can get it looked at before xmas. I'm sure she was being really helpful but as a worry guts I can't help but worry (as us mums do so well!) Does your ds2 lump go up and down in size or stay the same? Also can you tell me how they investigated it please?

Thanks Dotty, I know what you mean. Maybe my doc is just over cautious. I hope it might go down on its own in the next week.

I'm 36 and also have had a lump in my neck since I was about 8. I had a bad case of Menigitis and then Mumps, all my glands came up and this one has stayed swollen. Its more noticeable when I'm tired or coming down with something. The doctor at the time wasnt concerned and I have also been to see my GP who wasnt concerned, did give me the option of having it removed but he said the scar looks 100 times worse than the lump.

Hmmmm - well the 'investigation' involved the consultant having a prod at it and then asking a couple of trainee docs to have a prod, asking about general health, had I noticed anything else that I might be worried about. I hadn't and apart from me being sleepless with worry about the lump he seemed fine. They were happy with that and I got the impression that it's not that uncommon. Had the usual thing of - if anything occurs that I find worrying to get back in touch. Everything was okay after that and eventually I relaxed about it - sort of. I did keep my eye on it for a few years (as you say, us mums do worry). But as I said it's just there and doesn't cause him a problem.
I can't really remember much more than that. I do know I was worried sick at the time, though, so understand how you feel. Hope it's cleared up soon for you and you can relax.

Thankyou for that information, it's very reassuring to hear that it's common and it will hopefully just go on its own .

Hi tickled, another one with a gland here.
They have been described to me as like a string of pearls and sometimes, if inflamed, can seal themselves off.
I too, have had one for years and years after a bout of tonsilitis.
I am sure all will be ok.

Just an update. I took DD back to docs today for follow up and she has refered us to Paed. She thinks it could be a cyst. She said not to worry and that if it was serious, DD would be ill. As it is she is fine apart from the lump. I will have to try to put it to the back of my mind now which will be realy hard.

Just read your post on ym thread TP so popped over here to have a read.

Sounds like it could be something and nothing then from everyone elses posts. Can understand why you are worried though, I googled and wished I hadn't but am pretty sure mine is nothing sinister and i'm sure your dd's won't be either.

Good luck with the paed

Thanks nutcracker. Have seen yours has gone down a bit. Definately worth getting these things checked out. Good luck at docs tomorrow x

ds2 had lymphangitis when he was 11 months
please go back to the gp straight away if it gets larger

we were fobbed off with ds2 for about 5 days then he had to have IV antibiotics and narrowly missed having to have an operation
go on your instincts

Oh crikey popsycal, how awful for you. I have never heard of lymphangitis. Should I google it? DD's lump has not improved or got worse in 2 weeks which I think is what makes the GP think it is a cyst. I really hope I dont have to wait too long for the referal but I think with xmas coming up I will have to.

oh god dont google lol

basically it is some sort of infection of the lyph gladns
it was totally one sided and began with one lymph gland then spreasd right round to the back of his neck over a period of about 5 days.

I guess if it was going to spread, it would have done by now then as we are at least two weeks down the line. I only noitced it two weeks ago but I guess it could have been there longer. I dont know anyone who has had a child with a cyst in their neck but doc said they are often removed in case they get infected or something.

An update. Went to see paediatrician yesterday. He thinks lumps (have two now) are lymph nodes. He is sending her for lots of blood tests on monday to check for infection/virus. He did say she is very pale which she is and she is quite lethargic. I will be pleased when she is all checked out and hopefuly all clear.