Gp advice about lymph nodes - any gps agree??

[Lkakpk]

So , a bit of context . I’m early 30s relatively slim no known health issues . Just after Christmas noticed a swollen gland in neck . Went to docs and referred for ultrasound . Doctor said it was mildly swollen but still referred me - had ultrasound - doctor said node was prominent but benign features - ie reactive node . He also said I had a tiny thyroid nodule - but that it was entirely normal and of no consequence health wise .
Few weeks later I discovered swollen gland under arm , again went to gp and was referred to breast clinic who found a few nodes - again , told reactive nodes - I asked ultrasound lady if they were big - she shrugged and said not really - not serious .

anyway , it’s now been months and all glands mentioned are still swollen . The underarm one seems to have enlarged so I went back ti gp . After firstly not being able to find it he found it - said if it has been checked should be fine ?!
Surely if it has gone bigger it should be re examined with ultra sound ?
I also asked him if it weird to have these glands without no history of illness he said it’s mostly following illness and normally would go down ? Mine hasn’t and yet only further investigations he is performing is more blood tests and that’s only due to me saying I feel generally fatigued and run down .
Should I be questioning his advice on just leaving the nodes ? Is this a common thing in gp world ? Any advice would be great !

Following.
I found an enlarged lymph node in my armpit the other day and wondering if I should be alarmed. Dr Google says no need to worry unless doesn't go down in a few weeks.

I’d request a full blood count test, this would show any ‘C’ markers (which is what we’re all worried about…. For me it would be) the NHS is on its a*se so if you don’t push you don’t get.
Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about, but best to be sure. All the best xxx

@Motherhentoall luckily he has requested this ! I’m just concerned he seemed so dismissive ! X

@Spamchops how big is it ? This seems to be the biggest factor in how concerned docs are . Worrying though isn’t it

@Lkakpk - it feels about 1cm diameter. Just I've never felt one before so feels out of the ordinary. They can tell a lot from a blood test so I feel you are being listened to in a fashion.
I'll look into mine if it's still there after 2 weeks.
Hope we both have nothing to worry about. X

@Spamchops mine prob around the same . It seems in general if it was something of concern it would be rapidly growing ( least that’s what I’m telling myself !) let me know how you get on x

@Lkakpk - you too. X

Ask your GP lumps in arm pits can be breast cancer....not saying it is but you should check all lumps.

Your GP is absolutely right. 1cm is not very large.

She has already been seen by the breast team.

I've also had this previously. I had the same reaction from my GP and they were right. They did go down eventually.

The weird thing was I couldn't put it down to a specific illness but the Dr said it could have been an asymptomatic virus or something really mild that my body had reacted strongly to.

Hope yours goes the same way! I think some of us just have a more reactive lymph system perhaps?

Am interested to see what replies you get OP.

I noticed a swelling in my armpit about 2.5 years ago which after ultrasound and biopsy they told me was just a reactive node.

But it still hasn't gone down! Every so often it seems to feel more noticeable/painful - and I guess the worry is how do you tell if anything more sinister is starting to develop?

When I was at uni I had a gland in my neck come up and it stated there for ages. I had bloods done - nothing showed up and eventually it went but was def there for a good couple of months.

@Mela155 I don’t know it is that I’m just guessing . I would say slightly bigger than pea size . One in my neck is bigger than that but not noticeable

A repeat USS will not make a difference. It will show the same thing, a reactive node. If multiple nodes under the armpit were growing above 2.5cm after a prolonged time from the previous USS then maybe a repeat would be useful. Your GP is able to rule out anything serious from examination by seeing if your nodes are fixed, hard ect. They probably didn't even need to do the USS in the first place but as medicine in the UK is practiced so defensively, they have had to.

A blood test can show a lot but would have been unnecessary if you weren't experiencing symptoms of fatigue ect

Watching with interest.

About 18 months ago I took my teenage son to GP regarding lymph nodes. He had one that had been there about 4 years and you could see poking out the side of his neck if he turned his head a certain way (he's naturally very skinny). It was only when I realised it was still there and I thought I could possibly see another one the other side did I think to get it checked.

GP said she could feel a total of 3 but they didn't feel worrying as mobile and less than 1cm. However, she said she'd refer to ENT at hospital to be sure. She also did bloods & chest x-ray - both clear. Consultant at hospital seemed cross he'd been referred, just normal lymph nodes but said he"d sent for non ultrasound. Ultrasound all normal - told we could only see/feel them as near surface & he's slim.

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a small bump I don't recall seeing before. He's had his hair cut shorter and it's towards the back on the new hairline so maybe it was there but just couldn't see it. He's been complaining of blocked ears, particularly that side. We're thinking wax rather than infection but have appointment at ear place tomorrow with a view to having them syringed as our GP doesn't do syringing.

Will obviously wait a few weeks to see if disappears in case ear related but is it worth going back to GP if not or it gets bigger? Or is it safe to assume he's just a glandy person (the other nodes are still there and haven't changed).

*non urgent ultrasound not non ultrasound!

@MamaOf2Cubs this is really interesting Thankyou for this . I’ve actually got a few under both armpits along with the neck one . Do you happen to know the criteria for biopsy of nodes ? What worries me is my gps stance on them - he says they shouldn’t stay enlarged for months without a past infection and he’s unsure why they are enlarged yet seems a bit flummoxed as to what to do next . When I re confirmed they have been there so long and one has grown he just looked at me blankly and said hmmm unsure why . I was under impression a growing node (albeit not a lot ) would cause concern ?
blood tests were ordered and yes I have had general fatigue symptoms but bloods always ok

Maybe look into the Perrin technique lymphatic drainage to clear blockages.

I know a great guy in Ludlow.

@EatThoseFrogs thanks for reply ! Where was yours ? How big was it ? I’m reassured it’s obviously more common than I thought . How long did it take to go ? X

Like PP, my son has a few enlarged nodes in his neck. They’ve been there quite a few years. Have had him checked out a few times, including a referral to paediatrics and ENT. The conclusion was ‘just one of those things’. Dr said some people just have very reactive nodes and sometimes a node can enlarge in response to a virus and never go back down again. As long as they aren’t changing size or increasing in number we were told we can ignore them.

Interestingly, I have always had similar with the glands in my groin. I had those checked once and they couldn’t find any reason for them to be enlarged. Dr described them as ‘shotty glands’ (they are very small and just feel like pieces of grit under the skin). They are like that almost all the time and I’ve got used to them!

The problem with lymph nodes is that so many people get raised nodes and quite often they don’t go down. From what I’ve been told Pea size isn’t particularly concerning . I’ve been through the same - an enlarged node - about a cm , perhaps a fraction less - in groin. It’s been over 6 years now - still there, not grown further but not gone down. The doc just isn’t interested, and I’ve stopped mentioning it. I still occasionally wonder what caused it.

I think the problem is that Google tells you that you shouldn't be able to feel lymph nodes unless you have an infection (in which case they wil disappear when the infection is gone) or you have cancer! From my own experience, as well as anecdotal evidence, I know it's very normal to feel a few. Most GPs will know what feels concerning and what doesn't which is why they may come across as unconcerned. The ENT surgeon who saw my son seemed pretty cross with my GP for the referral, saying she should've known better!

I can’t work out from your post where the new lump is but consider mastoiditis if it’s behind the ear

@isitnearlytime I think you are right . When you consult Dr Google it’s pretty black and white - cancer or infection and if there is no infection it’s easy to go down the lymphoma fear rabbit hole . I also feel like gps are slightly cagey about nodes - as if they don’t want you to ever ignore one so instead of explaining why they aren’t concerned ( as previous posters have said some people just have them come and not go down ) they would rather kind of leave it with a question mark incase you ignore a change or another node that pops up