Small lumps on neck

[Tempname]

Hi,

I noticed 2 small pea sized lumps on the side/back of my neck a few weeks ago. They are soft/rubbery, moveable and not painful. I have Sjogrens, so I am very used to my glands under my jaw & front of my neck swelling up & getting sore when I'm tired or in a flare, but this is different as they don't change. I presume it's just lymph nodes and nothing to worry about, but I'm slightly concerned about lymphoma as Sjogrens increases the risk. At the same time I'm a little embarrassed to go to my GP about it, because I suspect he thinks of me as a hypochondriac! Does anyone have experience of lumps like this, or any advice on whether I should get it checked out? Thanks!

[Kath1]

Hi there is no harm in getting it checked out you might only worry about it if you don't. When I was in the process of being diagnosed I was under dermatology as I have a lot of activity in my skin. 2 little lumps came up on my neck just behind my ear. It just happened to coincide with a dermatology appointment so they did a biopsy there and then. From the results they finally found the immune system issues and sent me to rheumatology where I needed to be. If you are not sure of your GP are you under a rheumatologist you can contact? Just remember you know your body so if you feel fobbed off by the GP I would keep trying until you are comfortable. I wish you all the best

[Tempname in reply to Kath1]

Thanks Kath, that's good advice. I'll ask my GP to have a look and also my Rheumatologist at my next appointment. Glad yours turned out not to be lymphoma.

[Lizard28]

Hi, I’ve had lymphoma or I should say I’ve still got lymphoma. Mine started at my jawline. It was hard and not movable. It could be a reactive lymph node but the only way to tell is an ultrasound if you are worried. After treatment another little pea sized lump came up in the same area, I had a biopsy and it showed it was back. They don’t usually do treatment if there are no “B” symptoms like night sweats, losing weight, fatigue etc. I have these things with Mctd so I hesitated going. Turned out I had lymphoma at side of lungs, side of kidneys and under my arm. I have been on watch and wait for nearly two years. I hope I’m on watch and wait for a long time. Your doctor should be able to check your lumps, mine did and referred me urgently to an ENT doc. I hope this helps a little, take care

[Tempname in reply to Lizard28]

So sorry yours turned out to be Lymphoma, but glad to hear that its under control at the moment. Yes I think you're right that its a good idea to get it checked out. Sjogrens patients have a 1 in 20 chance of getting lymphoma at some stage over their lives, so I guess its good to be aware. Thanks for your help xxx

[KayHimm]

Yes! You are the first person to mention it here. When I was at my worst with fevers, fatigue, anemia and not yet diagnosed, I got what I called peas on my neck. The doctors didn’t seem concerned, maybe because of my other labs. I had Sjogren’s symptoms back them - some things that I couldn’t describe properly. When I was diagnosed with UCTD and got better over the years, those peas went away. The Sjogren’s symptoms definitely took a back seat.

You should definitely tell your doctor about them. Swollen lymph nodes can mean a lot of things. I think Sjogren’s itself causes it too.

Please let us know what your doctor says. GP may have not seen this before, though.

K

[ATVMWF]

Hi Tempname, I think it always wise to check out any odd lumps and bumps, even if it is only to put your mind at rest. Sjogrens is an awful syndrome, so misunderstood and little heard of. Hopefully, all will be well and it is just one the quirks of SS.

[Tempname in reply to ATVMWF]

Thanks, Im going to GP next week to get it checked. Yea SS is a mysterious disease alright, with very little research going into it unfortunately.

[ATVMWF in reply to Tempname]

I am sure all will be OK but as you say it is a mysterious disease so best to get it checked out. The medical profession needs to step up and provide more support and research into the condition for SS sufferers, we are left with very little in terms of adequate medication when coping with such diverse and often debilitating symptoms.