I am terrified 😞

[Pasqual]

I've had a lump on my neck for around 2.5 weeks which started as the size of a pea but is now about the size of a ping pong ball. It's solid and doesn't move.

I had it down as a reactive lymphnode, but decided to go to the drs yesterday as others have commented on it asking if I'm ok.

The DR said she thinks it's a lymphnode and then said 'actually I'm not sure' she checked my temp, throat ears etc and asked if there was any other symptoms.

I have been very tired recently, sleeping 9/10 hours and waking up exhausted. I have fallen asleep sitting up and in company over the past couple of weeks too but I am a mum of 2 young children who have been off nursery due to summer holidays, so I've been juggling full time working and child care.

I'm getting bloods taken tomorrow but the DR said she can't do any further referrals until the lump has been there for 6 weeks. I am terrified that this is something more sinister.

I haven't told my family/friends as I don't want to worry everyone but I'm knocking myself sick.

Has anyone been through similar and it's all been ok?

So you have a hard lump, that’s grown and been there more than 2 weeks. Is it at front or side of neck? I’d question the 6 week thing and ask for a second opinion.

It's at the side, just under my jaw bone/ear

You could've had an infection and it's just reactive lymph, but I would see a different dr for a second opinion or go private as I don't understand why you haven't had a 2 week referral.

I have had similar inflamed lymph nodes, they get quite big and swollen under the skin i.e. I can feel they're big, but they don't look big.

It's highly likely it isn't anything to worry about, but anything changing should be checked out, and I'm surprised they're discussing it needing to be there for 6 weeks! I'd request an appt with another GP for a second opinion.

Fingers crossed it's nothing x

Is it sore? I've had a painless lump as you described for about 15 years. It's a reactive lymph node. Its solid but I can jiggle it about

Could it be a goiter on your thyroid? Being tired is a sign of thyroid problem. I had half my thyroid removed last June because of it.

NHS NICE guidelines state 2 week referral for investigation for this kind of new lump. It's probably nothing but I'd question the 6 week wait with your GP.

I'm not a professional but I have experience of sinister lumps in the neck.

As others have said, it's highly likely to be a reactive lymph node but you are right to get it checked out and having symptoms for more than 2-3 weeks is long enough.

Hopefully you'll get a referral and some reassurance soon

can you ask your Dr to do an autoimmune screen as well as standard range of bloods. probably a blood film needed as well. could be glandular fever as well...
your tiredness is not normal.
do you have any weightloss/loss of appetite?
and if you are in your 20s/30s -- autoimmune disease is a possibility eg. lupus.

fingers crossed for you. hope its nothing.

I had this as well, no symptoms to seemingly explain it, was also very afraid but when my bloods came back turned out I had glandular fever. Doctor was surprised I wasn’t feeling more run down! It is most likely an infection causing it, I hope you find out soon for peace of mind

Eldest had this a few times, was a swollen node. They did bloods at the start to check and said come back if it was still there in 2 weeks. I would go back and say your not willing to wait, and want a 2 week referral.

DD has had a few of these, been thoroughly checked & found to be nothing more than a swollen lymph node. I would be querying the '6 week wait' though, sounds suspiciously like an attempt to brush you off. Go back and refuse to leave without a referral. Good luck to you!

Thanks for your advice everyone. I'll phone again tomorrow and see what they say. I'm getting myself really worked up over it.

I don't think it's a goiter as it doesn't look like the photos on Google.

It has only been sore the past 2 days but I think that is because the Dr was pressing it and since then I have been obsessively checking it.

I had the same last year. Huge ball on the right side of my neck. Got a neck ultrasound and it turned out I had a huge ear infection, and I didn’t have pain or fever so I didn’t notice it. 10 days of antibiotics and the lump reduced but stayed for 6 months

6 weeks. Are the gp just making up new guidance now. Ask for another opinion op.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Saw a different GP who is convinced it is a reactive lymph node. They've done a referral to the neck clinic for it to be checked properly. In the meantime, my bloods have come back showing signs of infection. So hoping it's all connected and it's nothing more sinsister. I have been able to calm myself down a bit now, we just need to play the waiting game

Any update OP?