Swollen Lymph Nodes (during TWW)?

[XOXO13]

Hi everyone,

Following both of my (failed) embryo transfers, I’ve noticed a swelling around my neck that’s tender to touch and move. I didn’t think anything of it with my first transfer and only did this time because I had it with the first. It comes after embryo transfer and then gradually shrinks back down a few weeks later (I’m 5 days since getting a negative on my OTD and the lump is less tender and not as enlarged).

I asked my endocrinologist about it a few days after my embryo transfer thinking it was a swelling of my thyroid gland, but he wasn’t concerned.

I went to the doctors yesterday and she said my lymph nodes are swollen and it’s likely my bodies reaction to being stressed and rundown.

I’ve read that swollen lymph nodes can indicate that your body is fighting an infection and when I’ve asked my fertility consultant about it, she also says it’s nothing to worry about.

Maybe I’m clutching at straws, my mind does wander and tries to find reasons for things a lot of the time .. but I do think it’s a little strange. Last time I also had really bad cold sweats, this time less so but I’ve also had a hot water bottle and wool socks glued to my feet!

Has anyone else experienced swollen lymph nodes or come across it before during their transfers? Should I ignore it?

I do trust my doctor.. she’s a no-nonsense kind of doctor but I also don’t like just sitting on things that may worry me slightly.. xx

[Masief]

Hey lovely, I've not experienced that before. But like you I do take notice of patterns and reactions in my body. You know your body and if you think there could be a link like your body is fighting off the embryo and the lymph nodes being enlarged is a sign, I'd investigate. The doctor's and experts have a lot of knowledge but don't always know best. I hope the swelling reduces xxx

[XOXO13 in reply to Masief]

Thank you 🤍💫 xx

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely, just wondering if you’ve had your thyroid levels tested? 🤔 x

[XOXO13 in reply to Millbanks]

Hey,

I haven’t yet, but it’s not my thyroid that caused the swollen lymph nodes. They still don’t know why that’s happened but the doctors I’ve spoken to feel it’s isolated so it’s being treated separately.

Having my thyroid screening again in a couple of weeks xx

[Millbanks in reply to XOXO13]

That’s good news! Maybe stress as you say... have you decided on your plan for next steps yet? Xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Millbanks]

Yeah, he said it could be stress though the specialist wasn’t convinced by that 🤷🏻‍♀️ I was referred for an ultrasound and they found a “borderline suspicious” lump so I’ve been referred to another doctor to check it out further. Hoping it doesn’t interfere with my next cycle 🙏🏼

My new cycle starts in March! I think I’ve just ovulated or am, so I’d predict AF will show up in two weeks so I can start medication. I’ve requested four weeks off work (starting from a week before transfer) to fully switch off) and this time, I think we are going to go with a double transfer in the hope that one of them sticks 🤞🏻🙏🏼

How are you getting on? Xx

[Millbanks in reply to XOXO13]

It’s interesting that it comes and goes though. I hope it’s nothing serious and you can just ignore it and crack on.

That’s great news! I think a double is the way forward 👍🏼 🤞🏼

My period just started today so going for a scan on Tuesday to see if my pesky cyst has been flushed out. If it has then I’ll start meds for FET in 3 ish weeks. If not I think I’ll have to wait another month and see if it goes with my next period...

just a thought but there a lady on Instagram who does exercise for TTC/IVF classes and it’s focused on lymphatic drainage too, might be interesting for you? Her name is Kate Siobhan Taylor xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Millbanks]

I think so too, he said it could have been there before and I’ve only noticed it during treatment because I’m more sensitive. Anyway, I don’t think it’s anything to worry about as I feel healthy.. I think they just like to check these things out just to be on the safe side 🙏🏼

Thanks for sharing that ladies name, I’ll check her out!

Eek that’s exciting, how are you feeling about it all? I hope your cyst has been flushed out too.. can they remove it themselves or is it the type of thing that is usually flushed out with a bleed? Sorry, don’t know too much about cysts.

Are you having a medicated FET them or part medicated? I start my meds on cycle day 1, sounds like you’re starting a bit later? Xx

[Millbanks in reply to XOXO13]

Fingers crossed!!

It’s the fuse time I’ve had one (although apparently they’re really common you just don’t know about it unless you’re being relentlessly scanned like us!) they usually disappear of their own accord with your bleed but sometimes they have to operate if they are stubborn ones..

Yes it’ll be a medicated cycle but I would start meds on day 2 or 3 I think. There seems to be a bit of leeway that I don’t fully understand but I’m just rolling with it! Xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Millbanks]

I hope it’s gone for you then so you start meds 🤞🏻 Best of luck with the scan!! Xxz

[Millbanks in reply to XOXO13]

Thanks lovely xx

[Peanutchips]

I don’t know if this is connected but I’ve noticed I get a lump in my armpit during stims and I think during my FETs. I happened to notice it with my last cycle and remembered I’d had it before. It goes down afterwards. I think it could be the lymph node and all the hormones xxx

[XOXO13 in reply to Peanutchips]

Yes this is super helpful! I was/am pretty sure it’s connected to treatment and the hormones but two doctors have told me that’s unlikely as they’d expect to see it elsewhere vs just in my neck! But it’s not impossible that that could be the cause, they just couldn’t say for certain 🤷🏻‍♀️

They’ve all gone down bar one little stubborn lump they’ve found which may have been there a little while and I just hadn’t noticed in between treatments. The pain has gone away now, and it’s just a little lump so they’re checking it out which I’m grateful for! This journey has made me medically anxious! Xx

[Peanutchips in reply to XOXO13]

For me that same lymph has flared up before years ago during a really stressful work situation, I had it checked out then in case of cancer but it was all fine. Then I noticed it during treatments. But only one armpit node! It’s very weird. I’m pleased that they’ve mostly gone down for you and they’re checking the stubborn one just to give you reassurance. We put our bodies through a lot with IVF so I don’t think it’s surprising that little quirks pop up xxx

[XOXO13 in reply to Peanutchips]

That is weird, and lymph nodes can be reactive to stress and infection so it does make sense that If under a lot of pressure and stress, your body would react in that way. It’s a lot of hormone changes as well that we experience.. I’m surprised I don’t react more really!

Hope everything is going okay for you? Xx