Scared to death- lymph nodes

[Pipsqueaked]

Hi, I'm really hoping someone is awake. I've just found a really big, hard, fixed, painless, knotty lymph node in my groin. Google says that's bad. I will see GP tomorrow but in the mean time I can't sleep and I'm scared. What's more frightening is I think it's been there at least a month as I can remember feeling it before and wondering what was going on, but I got distracted and forgot about it. I think I;m so worried because it feels bigger as well. Will see GP tomorrow.

I have several lymph nodes in my groin and they have been there for years. They feel like small kidney beans. I know what it's like to feel panicked when you find something like that but chances are it's nothing.

You might have found something that has always felt like that but you'd not noticed before, or you could be fighting off an infection and your lymph nodes are up. Chances are that it is completely fine, just as PJ says.

I remember finding a swollen lymph node at the back of my neck, and I was mystified as to what on earth it was. I didn't realise they are in all sorts of places. Dr unbothered. No sign of infection either, as no doubt lymph nodes doing excellent job!

Lymph nodes can remain enlarged for between 6 and 12 months after an infection, and it may not necessarily be that obvious either which lymph nodes are responsible for which area of the body. Some are geographic but some are not. Enlarged lymph nodes are part of a healthy immune system. Some people find they have lymph nodes that are naturally larger than "text book", my DH has one in his abdomen that is permanently enlarged, I have a surface one which is the same.

Of course get it checked out, but unless you have other underlying concerns you are not writing about here, the chances are that it is nothing at all to worry about. I hope your GP will be able to reassure you more.

Thank you everyone. It feels like a group of lymph nodes stuck together in a chain. I gave birth 6 months ago- could that have somehow caused them to swell?

How do you know it's a lymph node - could be a cyst or an absess. or anything else that none of us have heard of. And if it's only been there for a month, that's a very short time. I think the trouble is we all jump to diagnosing ourselves with cancer when there are so many other things it could be. Having said that I am awaiting the result of a biopsy (big mole on my back) and the dermatologist said it was likely to be cancerous.

The fear comes in waves but I'm 73 and my kids are grown of course and the grandchildren are all growing up. Mind I'm not ready to die yet!

I spent a couple of years where various lymph nodes were up and down, and sore, along with other symptoms. I genuinely convinced myself I was seriously, seriously ill. Went to the docs for the first one, she didn't do anything. Went again a few years later (I was too scared in between), she did full bloods on me and there was nothing. I really do think I stressed myself to the point where I was causing the symptoms as I they have practically all gone.

I think we all get the odd one from time to time, my first just happened to coincide with other things and I blew it out of all proportion.

Good luck at the doctors

I've also had terrible lymph node anxiety! I can feel them in my groin and in my neck and I absolutely convinced myself it was something sinister. In fact, lymph nodes in the groin are considered 'normal' up to 1.5 cm and so it's not unusual to be able to feel them. I had a scan of my neck last week (for something other than lymph nodes) and I expressed my concern to the radiologist. She scanned over the bumps that I've been worried about and sure enough they were lymph nodes BUT even though they felt large to me, they were only tiny on the scan, one, which I convinced my self was 1cm+ was only 2mm but was sitting on muscle and therefore easy to feel. SO, try not to worry. Feeling lymph nodes is very normal and Dr Google is particularly bad for lymph node anxiety. Honestly, stay off it if you possibly can. I've wasted so many hours working myself up into a frenzy for no reason.

Go to GO and get it checked. It's more likely nothing than something but it's worthwhile calming your fears.

No appointments for today- will try again tomorrow. It's like a rock hard knot that's stittting on top of a vein. There is one on the other side too but it's much smaller.

Catrina- good luck with it. Skin cancer is very treatable, so it's not a disaster if it is. You'll be in good company - Hugh Jackson has had it a couple of times.

Might be varicose veins. Lots of people get vulval varcosities during pregnancy and in groin area. If it looks like a knot on top of a vein it's a possibility

Catrina I hope everything goes well for you.

GP says 99% sure not lymphoma though the lumps are lymph nodes. (Of cause I'm paranoid about the 1%) but I'm having blood tests and chest X-ray to check things out further.

I'm really glad you've updated us Pipsqueaked. The chances of lymphoma with no other symptoms are slim to none. You'd have things like appetite loss, weight loss, itching, nausea, sweating (okay we've all go that at the moment!). Certain birth control has been linked to enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, as can UTIs.

xxx