Sudden appearance of swollen lymph node in neck. Advise/info requested

[OzzieNick]

Greetings Friends,l

I am a 56 yo male who has been on watch and wait since diagnosis about 2.5 years ago. All OK so far except fatigue and cramps.

Tonight things changed a bit as I suddenly have a swelling in my neck that I can only assume is a lymph node gone nuts. It is tender but not very sore and I would say about 2/3rds the size of a golf ball.

I am very concerned...

Could someone advise of:

1) How serious this is likely to be

2) How urgent it is that I have it seen to (I see my hematologist on Jan 5)

3) Likely progression from here

4) Is it likely to go down and come and go or will it just keep getting worse quickly?

I am particularly concerned that there was nothing there this morning!

Any words of info and support would be much appreciated as I am very worried ...

Thanks you all

Aussie Nick

[devonrr]

Stop panicking. Of course you are worried. It is good you have an appointment in early January but that's 3 weeks of worry. Can you do what I would do in the UK? I would phone the consultant's secretary and leave a question for advice. Then the answer will reassure you during Christmas time.

You do not mention any other symptoms. Take a breath, relax and enjoy that Aussie Summer. Grey and damp here!

[OzzieNick in reply to devonrr]

Thanks devonrr,

No real symptoms except fatigue and cramps.

Will follow your suggestions and see GP in meantime but its hard not to panic.

thanks

Nick

[holly2 in reply to OzzieNick]

Hello Nick, I fully empathize with you it is horrid when you find a lump like that. I also have one in my neck and, since 24th Oct, one under my jaw which is half golf ball size. I have found that these lumps do vary in size from day to day. Luckily, I can grow my hair longer to hide these! But seriously, it is best to check it out as devonrr has advised, but try not to worry (easier said that done) because these things just come with having CLL. All the best and merry Christmas.

Holly

[ahuitse in reply to holly2]

Nick

My nodes grew noticeably over a few weeks this summer. I emailed my Dr at OSU and was told" if you feel normal dont worry about". I had my visit Oct 24th and all my levels were completely in the normal range as far as WBC and Lymph. They have gone down just a little bit since but are still visible on my neck. I was told they can ebb and flow and mine did.

[OzzieNick in reply to ahuitse]

Hi ahuise,

Thank you for your sage advise. I will try to follow your idea of not worrying until I see medics.

Will have checked by GP on Wed. and specialist Jan 5th.

Thank you for your kind help and time

Nick

[OzzieNick in reply to holly2]

Hi Holly,

Yes it was a bit of a shock. Yesterday was my first day of retirement so pretty weak timing, I reckon.

Will have checked by GP on Wed. and specialist Jan 5th.

I guess until then it's fingers crossed it doesn't keep growing.

Thank you for your advise - it is of great comfort.

Nick

[Kathp]

Hi there,

Just to say I experience changes in my right neck lymph node - one day it seems fairly small/flat and the other it's bigger and seems to affect my ear. Only time I seek advice is if I feel my hearing is affected, my consultant didnt seem too perturbed at the size, so I tend to just go with the flow ... good advice, ahuitse re feeling "normal", I have to stop analyzing every little change I find. Hope it settles down soon for you...

[OzzieNick in reply to Kathp]

Hi Kath,

Thanks for that. My hearing has been a bit odd - as if they were a bit blocked so may inquire about that too.

Will have checked by GP on Wed. and specialist Jan 5th.

I guess until then it's fingers crossed it doesn't keep growing.

Thank you for your kind advise.

Nick

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to OzzieNick]

If it does keep growing, get it checked ASAP. It's not a good time of the year for urgent appointments, but hopefully just another false alarm...

[OzzieNick in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks Neil,

Have been to GP who sent me straight away fro ultrasound and x-ray.

Ultrasound suggests swollen lymph node as suspected. Will get x ray results after yet another GP visit tomorrow.

Thank you so much for your reply and support. A Merry Xmas to you and yours!

Nick

[Bethan49]

This happened to me last easter..gor up and one side of face/neck was swollen. I had it checked by my specuakust nurse who the brought my appt forward with the consultant. The swelling did subside though ...

[OzzieNick in reply to Bethan49]

Thanks Bethan49,

Have been to GP who sent me straight away fro ultrasound and x-ray.

Ultrasound suggests swollen lymph node as suspected. The radiologist was pleased that like yours, my lump came and went somewhat which apparently indicates nodes and not a lump of bad stuff.

Will get x ray results after yet another GP visit tomorrow.

Thank you so much for your reply and support. A Merry Xmas to you and yours!

Nick

[LynnB1947]

I had a swollen & tender lymph node under my chin back in August. My local doc wanted to do a CT scan. I talked him into delaying until I had a round of antibiotics. The swelling began subsiding within 24 hours of beginning antibiotic. No swelling at all now.

I emailed my specialist at M.D.Anderson, & he said, "Follow local dr's advice."

Wish you the best & a Merry Christmas.

Lynn

[dougstalbans]

I posted a response to something similar a week or two back, - my haematologist said my neck swellings were sebaceous cysts (I believe she said) & not to worry about - they felt different from the lymph swellings under my chin. But yours could be something else!

[OzzieNick in reply to dougstalbans]

Thanks Doug,

Have been to GP who sent me straight away for ultrasound and x-ray.

Ultrasound suggests swollen lymph node as suspected. N0 mention of cysts.

Will get x ray results after yet another GP visit tomorrow.

Thank you so much for your reply and support. A Merry Xmas to you and yours!

Nick

[Hoffy]

I am in the same situation. You can probably wait until your appointment. A heating pad helps with the growth pain.

[Hoffy]

See a CLL specialist as soon as you can. Many new options CLL specialist know.

[OzzieNick]

Thank you, Hoffy.

Just to add to the drama the specialist has knocked me back 4 weeks to Feb 2nd.

Such is life. I guess.

Thanks for your response and seasons greetings

Nick