Re: Mild Pain and Inflammation

[bagelstreet225]

Directly below the left earlobe (about an inch down), I have been experiencing some mild pain. It's only painful when I touch it and it feels inflamed. Symptoms began on Friday, February 16, 2024. Could it be a lymph node, infection, or strained muscle? I've always felt something. By the way, I was diagnosed with CLL/SLL (SLL in my case) in May 2023, watch and wait. I also have nodes in my neck (some non-enlarged), left axillary, and pelvis. When I was diagnosed, I was told that I've probably had SLL for ten years, the hematologist/oncologist said. Thank you for listening.

Pat

[SofiaDeo Administrator]

That's the area of tonsillar and possibly superficial cervical lymph nodes you are feeling.

Pain that doesn't go away should always be seen by a physician.

geekymedics.com/wp-content/...

Strained muscles tend to not be specific pain in one highly localized spot. Infection is possible, are there are other signs/symptoms? Some with SLL have reported painful nodes, if one is growing on or near a nerve the nerve could become irritated. This is respiratory virus season in the US, as you are exposed to things lymph nodes can react as you fight various viruses off.

Lymph nodes of the Head

[bagelstreet225 in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thank you for responding. Pain began a few days ago. By the way, fish panel for CLL was normal, which was performed in June 2023. I have no genetic abnormalities/anomalies, the hem/onc said. No 17 P deletion.

[bagelstreet225 in reply to SofiaDeo]

When I touch it, it feels warm/inflamed. I'm also a little cold, hands are cold. Infection is a possibility. This is the only node, if it's a node, that's reacting.

[MistyMountainHop in reply to bagelstreet225]

I have a lymph node below each ear, they wax and wane, sometimes they are a little tender. They've been there forever. I was diagnosed in April 2014. I don't take much notice of them.

If you are worried about it, you should make an appointment to see someone.

I do realise that this is all new to you......the worry and high anxiety......I was terrified when they said, "you have leukemia".....The fear does (in my case) lessen, as time goes by, but it does take time.

I hope you find peace, soon🌞

[bagelstreet225 in reply to SofiaDeo]

Hi SofiaDeo,

I am feeling much better. Also, node got smaller.

Thank you,

Pat

[Newdawn Administrator]

That parotid area was the first place I developed a swollen lymph node and it could be slightly painful at times. I had it for many years and it was just part of the CLL landscape but thankfully they all melted away with treatment 😊

Newdawn

[bagelstreet225 in reply to Newdawn]

Hi Newdawn,

Thank you for responding. There are no physicians or "cll experts" here but there are patients and that's GREAT !! Thank you for your kind words. It's reassuring.

Pat

[RSilver in reply to bagelstreet225]

Actually, there are a few physicians here. Their field of expertise may not have been blood disorders, but that just shows that anyone can be affected by this disorder.

In terms of experts; there are some exceptionally knowledgeable individuals here that I think we can be thankful for, especially on the Admin team, and also others who chime in with their knowledge and experience.

Everyone who posts their experience, such as you Pat, is helpful to others who may be dealing with similar circumstances.

Richard

[bagelstreet225 in reply to RSilver]

Hi Richard,

Brian Koffman, MD, a retired physician and chief medical officer of the CLL Society, I've spoken to Brian, is here. CLL Society is a great site. AussieNeil and Newdawn are wonderful. Thank you for educating me.

Respectfully,

Pat

[RSilver in reply to bagelstreet225]

Yes. I was actually thinking of a couple of other physicians. I didn't want to name them for various reasons.

Richard

[MovingForward4423 in reply to Newdawn]

That was the same for me, when I fell unwell just before being diagnosed. I had a pain just below / under the earlobe on my left side.

[bagelstreet225 in reply to Newdawn]

I am feeling much better, Newdawn. Nodes feels smaller, no pain, probably was an infection.

Thank you,

Pat

[bagelstreet225 in reply to Newdawn]

By the way, I read your profile/medical story and found it very interesting and moving. Emotionally speaking, you're very, very strong.

God Bless You,

Pat

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to bagelstreet225]

Thank you Pat. Much appreciated 😊

Newdawn

[bagelstreet225 in reply to Newdawn]

You're welcome. By the way, I'm in active surveillance/watch and wait mode and could be for another five to seven years, the hem/onc said. BTK inhibitors are not classified as targeted agents but retain some of the "chemo" side effects? I mean, nausea and vomiting are troublesome. How is this addressed? Antiemetics? I was a sickly child and I don't want to experience that again. Thoughts?

Thank you,

Pat

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to bagelstreet225]

Nausea thankfully isn’t a given with BTK’s Pat. I was given antiemetics with each Ibrutinib prescription and every package remains unopened! I had to stop them being routinely prescribed!

We all react differently to certain meds but nausea wasn’t an issue for me even with Venetoclax.

Hoping treatment if you need it at some point, is a very long way off 😉.

Newdawn

[bagelstreet225 in reply to Newdawn]

As always, thank you for responding. I'm grateful!!!!

[bagelstreet225]

Hi Misty,

I was diagnosed with SLL (small lymphocytic lymphoma) but the official diagnosis is CLL/SLL. It's a chronic condition, and treated like "diabetes," the hem/oncologist said. By the way, I'm a patient at New York University Pearlman cancer center. Perhaps it's an infection? I have a mild sour throat, feels warm/inflamed and the skin is mildly "red." I'm also clearing my throat and I have an occasional tonsil stone. As stated earlier, symptoms began on Friday, February 16, 2024. My next follow-up visit is set for Thursday, March 14, 2024. As always, thank you for listening and responding.

Pat

[MisfitK in reply to bagelstreet225]

If you suspect infection (and this is where my infections almost always occur now), head down to urgent care or schedule a primary care visit tomorrow. They can look at it, and decide if it needs treating.

[bagelstreet225 in reply to MisfitK]

no longer in pain, node seems smaller, feeling better.

Thank you,

Pat

[bagelstreet225]

Yes, I suspect it's an infection but not sure. If it doesn't improve within the next 24-48 hours, I will see the primary care doctor and reach out to the hem/onco via NYU my chart portal. Thank you.

[rex9343]

Hi Pat,

I had swollen lymph nodes in that location under both ears. They were painful to the touch and inflamed to the point that I could not sleep on my left or right side. After treatment, they both eventually melted away along with the others in other areas. Best wishes to you with yours.

Jay

[bagelstreet225 in reply to rex9343]

I'm feeling better, Rex. Thank you. And thank you for the great information.

[Doggoneit101]

I get swollen nodes in that area almost every time my body is trying to fight off an infection. As soon as the infection clears then it goes back to my norm. My norm is always slightly swollen (can be seen and felt) on the left neck node under ear. I have CLL/SLL. The majority of my nodes are abdominal and in the neck area. They come and go due to my bodies response to foreign particles per doctor. Doctor can do blood work to see if you are trying to fight something off. If viral then no antibiotics will help but OTC meds can help relieve any symptoms you may have. Hope this helps.

[bagelstreet225 in reply to Doggoneit101]

It's located in the same area. I can definitely feel it. It hurts when I squeeze it but it's NOT painful. I am feeling better. Thank you.

[bagelstreet225 in reply to Doggoneit101]

I am feeling much better. No pain/discomfort at all. Thank you.

[Doggoneit101 in reply to bagelstreet225]

I was told to never squeeze them. Next time it occurs I would recommend you trying a rice sock for discomfort. I simply use one of my husband's white tube socks🧦. I get a bag of white rice and pour the rice into the sock. Then tie a knot at the opening of the sock. Then toss the sock in the microwave to heat it up a little. Not too much because you don't want to burn yourself! I usually do 30 seconds. Then put it over the lymph node and it eased the discomfort. It stays warm longer than a warm wash rag I've discovered. I always know when my body is fighting an infection or making antibodies for a vaccine because my nodes get soar and swollen. I consider this my early warning system and start taking zinc and vitamin C and getting plenty of rest to try to help in the fight. I'm glad your feeling better.

[SeymourB]

bagelstreet225 -

Based on my own experience with a 5cm parotid node that never hurt, I'm inclined to say that pain is more likely with an infection.

We also sometimes hear about painfully enlarged nodes after vaccines.

So I think that even nodes that were already enlarged by CLL can get painful after infections or vaccines. I imagine that it's partly due to how rapidly the node grows compared to CLL.

=seymour=

[bagelstreet225 in reply to SeymourB]

Hi SeymourB,

Thank you for responding. As of late, the node is far less painful. It probably was/is an infection. Also, I tend to "play" with it, which is not a good idea. When I squeeze the node, it tends to hurt.

[SeymourB in reply to bagelstreet225]

bagelstreet225 -

I think everyone pokes and squeezes to one degree or another. At some point, a non-painful node may get damage that presses on a nerve more.

So it sparks my curiosity about nerves in lymph nodes. I found a paper that says that there are various kinds of nerves in lymph nodes, and in different parts of the node. I feel an urge to squeeze that curiosity more to find interplay between immune system and nervous system in the nodes. But dinner's almost ready. 😆

=seymour=

[bagelstreet225 in reply to SeymourB]

Good afternoon/late afternoon, SeymorB,

Thank you for listening and providing excellent feedback.

Enjoy Dinner and have a pleasant evening

Respectfully,

Pat

[bagelstreet225 in reply to SeymourB]

node feels smaller, no pain, nothing, thank you

Pat