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Original poster

Can rubbery lymph nodes ever not be cancer?

29 replies

MsAnnThropic · 13/12/2017 22:20

Hi, I'm freaking out a bit, so thought I'd ask on here for others' experiences.

My glands have been up since September. First of all just the ones under my chin, but now behind my ear and more popping up down my neck in the last few weeks. They're very tender to touch.

Went to the docs about a month ago and my white blood cell count was slightly high. Had more bloods yesterday, just waiting for
results.

The nurse practicioner I saw yesterday wrote "rubbery lymph nodes" on her note pad.

It doesn't look good does it!?

OP posts:
AnaWinter · 13/12/2017 22:21

You could have glandular fever

Original poster
MsAnnThropic · 13/12/2017 22:29

I did wonder about that, but I don't feel ill. Would glandular fever make you feverish? (That sounds like it might be a daft question!)

OP posts:
DubiousCredentials · 13/12/2017 22:29

I think they’d be painless if it was cancer.

Original poster
MsAnnThropic · 13/12/2017 22:32

That's reassuring. Thank you.

It is totally not like me to freak out about my health!

OP posts:
blackdoggotmytongue · 13/12/2017 22:33

I’ve had lymph nodes I can feel for years - I know where they are and I can scoop them out with my fingers and see them through the skin. (This is harder now that I am a fat knacker). GP not bothered - the only time I have had painful ones and freaked out the GP shrugged and said ‘just a virus’.

Jedbartletforpresident · 13/12/2017 22:33

My DH had (SO good to write that in the past tense now!) tonsil cancer with a secondary tumour on one lymph node - it was a hard, painless lump that was there for months and very slow growing. (was misdiagnosed at first so had a few months of thinking it was nothing) I know there are other types of cancer that can affect the lymph nodes, but with most "head and neck" cancers it certainly wouldn't be multiple node "popping up" all over the place quickly and definitely hard and painless lumps - not rubbery and tender.

blackdoggotmytongue · 13/12/2017 22:34

Or actually ‘just fighting off an infection’ but the same utter lack of interest...

Original poster
MsAnnThropic · 13/12/2017 22:37

Ah ok. Thank you for your reassurance. Really glad to hear that your husband's on the mend, Jed. Flowers

I guess tge high white blood cells could just be a sign of infection fighting too. I'll try to chill out now!

Sorry for the self absorbed post!

OP posts:
Jedbartletforpresident · 13/12/2017 22:39

No need to apologise at all - you're not being self-absorbed - you're worried and it's totally normal. Trust me!

Like I said - not an expert on all the possibilities but I do know that head and neck cancers (tonsil, tongue, mouth etc) which are locally advanced to the lymph nodes wouldn't be presenting like that.

Jedbartletforpresident · 13/12/2017 22:40

Hope it all works out for you and you get positive reassurance soon.

Tigertoes · 13/12/2017 22:40

Rubbery is code for normal. Lots of tender ones usually are fighting an infection. Any dental or ear or skin problems? Are you slim, lots of slim ladies have normal palpable nodes. All that you have said sounds reassuring but definitely best to get checked out. Hope you get your mind put to rest asap x

shockedballoon · 13/12/2017 22:47

I had exactly these symptoms a few months ago. Felt terrible, really tired & drained all the time and you could even visibly see dwellings in my neck and they weren't going down like they normally do when I get a virus or whatever.
I went to the gp after about a month and a bit, similar blood test result, then got sent for a scan to check.
Scan (ultrasound) showed 'normal reactive lymph nodes ' I still felt pretty rough for a month or so (so about 3-4 months in total) but am absolutely back to normal now - did freak me out for a bit then though as I'm normally pretty healthy.

Fontella · 13/12/2017 22:49

If they are sore and tender you are most likely looking at infection rather than anything more sinister. As others have said - look at dental issues, ear, throat - other sources.

shockedballoon · 13/12/2017 22:50

Posted too soon! On phone so all fingers and thumbs!

Anyway - meant to say absolutely the right thing to do to get it checked out, and I completely understand being apprehensive, but hopefully you'll have something to set your mind at ease soon.

PringlesSmoothie · 13/12/2017 22:52

Op I have had this since October. Swelling in neck/jaw, under arm and groin. Glandular fever negative. I feel your stress. Cagey about saying too much on here for various reasons but happy to pm.

Original poster
MsAnnThropic · 13/12/2017 22:54

Thank you.

They checked ears and throat. All look fine. I'm currently having some dental work, but no pain or signs of infection. Not slim ( have put 3 stone on in the last year!)

Shocked... that's exactly how i feel. Drained and knackered and a bit puffed out. Really glad to hear you're better.

Really appreciate you all taking the time to post. Thank You Flowers

OP posts:
Original poster
MsAnnThropic · 13/12/2017 22:55

That would be nice pringle thank you. X

OP posts:
PringlesSmoothie · 13/12/2017 22:56

Sent you a wee message. :)

Boynamedsue · 13/12/2017 23:01

DH had was v similar. Swollen lymph nodes, high cell count, tired all the time. The consultant (who was lovely) told us to prepare for the worst. Turned out he had an impacted wisdom tooth that was draining the infection out (or something similar, the relief that he was fine kind of blocked out the actual facts!)

Hope all works out for you too OPFlowers

PinkAvocado · 13/12/2017 23:02

I had this. Had ultrasound on neck, X-rays and blood tests and they’ve decided I just have lymph nodes that occasionally go mad and don’t go back down. Mine are/were hard to rubbery, didnt really move and painless so I was scared. I still get worried if I think about them too much but do accept they’ve tested and checked them. Also, the more I worried, the more I prodded, the more they seemed to grow, the more I worried...

PringlesSmoothie · 13/12/2017 23:04

boy was it just his neck lymph nodes that were up? Did he have tooth pain?

Boynamedsue · 13/12/2017 23:09

Neck and armpit I think. We were convinced he had lymphoma as they were painless and hard. No tooth pain at all. This was 4 years ago, tooth was removed and he's fine now.

PringlesSmoothie · 13/12/2017 23:12

Mine are up neck, armpit and groin. All started with a wisdom tooth infection

Original poster
MsAnnThropic · 17/12/2017 07:22

Latest blood results is that white blood and CRP has gone up again. More bloods in 3 weeks with view to ENT referral. Lumps are less painful but still very prominent. Meh

OP posts:
SamPotatoes · 17/12/2017 07:49

A viral infection can cause lymph nodes to over-react which might be a possibility.

I had lymph nodes that were permanently swollen on one side of my neck and abnormal blood tests. I was also permanently knackered. Ultrasound and biopsies showed nothing but eventually I had the worst ones removed as any time I got another infection they would swell up and be exceedingly painful.

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