2 week referral, neck lump

[Wobblyheart]

So I went in to GPs today totally ready to be told it's my anxiety as always. And she did too, until I made her examine my neck for completeness as I have got swallowing issues. And she finds a suspicious firm 2 cm lump. Nothing was there in February. I know I have a 2cm thyroid lump but it was not palpable on previous exams nor did it cause me any swallowing issues before.

I can feel the new lump, waiting for my urgent ENT appt now. Terrified. My 4yo is so attached to me, he constantly just wants to be with me and no one else. I just want a handhold until I wait for the appointment.

Try not to panic. My friend just went through this and had part of her thyroid removed, nothing sinister found and of course may need some medication in the longer run. Very scared of course but all ok in the end.

I am just so angry. I kept asking for so many times if I needed an ultrasound and if we needed the thyroid to be monitored - answer was always no. I did have concerns about my neck in February and brought it to GP and was told no issues or lumps on exam. I took this away and then just gaslit myself into thinking that it is all my anxiety and i didnt bring it back to the GP. When I started having obvious swallowing problems I was given an urgent next day appt by GP only for them to cancel it next morning and to tell me they will reschedule it but they never did. When I tried speaking to a GP (on the phone again) receptionists told me no because I had vomitting (so likely vomitting bug), I explained about other symptoms and that I only wanted telephone conversation and was told to go away. I waited to get a routine appt as frankly just tired battling the system and now this. My voice is going hoarse, there is a big hard lump, god knows how long it had been there. I have been complaining to GP about bone pain for several months now and now thinkgin it might be bone mets. I am just so scared, not so much for myself but for my son. I really dont want him to go through such a profound loss and hardship at a such young age.

Hello Wobblyheart. I'm so sorry you're going through such a worrying time.
Two years ago I found exactly the same 2cm lump as you. It's very hard not to worry isn't it. I had to wait over Christmas for the appointment and ultrasounds so it really dragged on.

It turned out to be a harmless cyst. The guy doing the ultrasound told me this immediately. I can still feel the lump and it's not changed a bit. I wish I'd not spoiled my Christmas worrying now.

The other symptoms you describe - trouble swallowing, aches and pains, nausea are, as you know all linked to the stress you're under.

Please try not to worry and I hope your appointment comes through soon.

Thank you, I am really hoping it is my known 2cm nodule but why would it not be palpable in Feb but palpabale now.... Also whilst I think my actual GP (not the GP practice) is extremely good, the appt was rushed yesterday and she didnt clearly explain what she felt to me so I just read most of it from my notes. I have requested a call back becuase I am a mess and maybe diazepam or whatever is there. I am not really functioning at the moment, I think I am prepared for the treatment and whatever happens but i am just so scared that it had been going on for too long.

90% of the time in a young fit middle aged women these are absolutely nothing. Half the time the GPs feel the salivary gland and think that's lymph nodes anyway. Even if it is slightly lower and thyroid these are mostly benign. Get the scan. See what it says an be reassured that it's most likely nothing. There's definitely a hormone drop in women 38+ which suddenly gives alot of symptoms of thyroid disease aswell.

Thank you for your reply. I am 40 and dont think you can class me as young and fit. I also have an old thyroid nodule which was stable (but no one actually every checked it again) and it was never biopsied even thoguh it was 2cm big. So just really worry what if it was cancer all along.. or it transformed recently. My lump is low in the neck, just next to thyroid and is hard. I also have red flag symptoms as food sticking when swallow, hoarse voice and tightness in throat. So it is really worrying at this point.

Oh I don't know what possessed me but I felt my collarbone and found several firm distinct enlarged nodes on the left. GP didn't mention anything about them but I know it is not a good area to have them pop up. I have been getting hopeful and now i am feeling utterly terrified