Lymph node swelling

Hi all, I'm a new member here. Awww... where should I start. So, a about 3 months I noticed when I put my chin to towards my chest I get hard very mobile lumps that push out my bottom jaw bone. At first I didn't freak about this cause I had it on both sides and I was already worried about a small hard spot on gums (guess my panic was elsewhere). Well I went the dentist about the lump on my gums and was told it was just a normal boney growth (tori). Well about a week and half ago I felt very small lump in front of ear.. started googling about and found out I should be super freaked about swollen lymph nodes that don't go away.. called the doc to get in. TWO MONTHS before I can be seen. The next day I was still in a complete panic and went to the walk in clinic. The practiconer completely dismissed my fears. Did a normal lymph node exam and said nothing was swollen. When I told him I have to look a certain way, he said that if you go looking for them you'll be able to find them even when they swollen. I felt relieved for maybe an hour, before I realized that didn't sound right. So in a complete panic for the next week I called every medical office I could find in this town and was unable to find anyone to see me.

I knew it was unlikely but yesterday called my dentist to see if maybe it could be from a tooth that needs a root canal ( no pain though so infection unlikely) they said I could stop in and be seen real quick. The assistant check my lymph nodes first and did not think they were swollen, I showed her how they'll pop out from my jaw bone. She said hers do that too. But she would get the doctor to check just to be sure. He came in and was only interested in doing the "standard" check. Felt along the jaw line but only with my head up. He said they felt normal maybe they been but not from his exam..
I am soo annoyed I can't seem to get anywhere. In the mean time I am in a constant panic. I can't hardly sleep at night, all I've been doing for the past week and half is googling symptoms and disease that would cause this. I'm so convinced its lymphoma or some other horrible cancer and I can't get anybody to take me seriously. I don't know what to think anymore. I constantly seemed to be worried about some condition. Last year I was convinced I had cervical cancer for a month until I could get in and see my doctor. Couple months ago I thought ovarian.
But I know there has to be something going on with me. I know I would have felt peanut m&m sized lumps under my jaw if they had always been there. And I haven't been sick or had any kind of infections in a long time so there's no apparent reason for them to have enlarged in the first place.

Thank you so much for your reply. I truly hope they turn out to be nothing but mine are definitely larger then a pea. Probably is about the size of a peanut m&m hard to tell for sure. They are more oval shapes. The one on the left kinda feel like it might have two lumps on each end (maybe matted together??). However I do have a couple along my neck that feel pea sized. I just wish I could get into a doctor to actually have them examed. I'm afraid they feel normal because the people I have got to feel them are more on the look out for acute infections.

The one under my chin is like a peanut, they move freely and don't hurt. I am pretty sure everything will be ok with your test. I panicked just like you and the Doctors were telling me I will send you , but I am sure it will be nothing.

You are so not alone...many of us here face the same challenge with worries about health!

Post for continued sharing and support anytime.

S.C.

Hello guys, just thought I'd give a update, as I don't really have anyone else that seems to understand the level of anxiety I have over my situation.
I'm really still not doing well, I just can't seem to get my mind off this. It is consuming my every thought. Sunday I felt a small (definitely smaller then a pea) bump directly above my left collarbone that I had never felt before. Of course I remembered reading this is a spot you never want to feel any enlargement. And then the googling started again! ..and hasn't stopped.

I can logically tell myself that I do not have cancer until a doctor diagnoses it, I can tell myself that maybe something else is going on, or that maybe I'm looking to hard to find symptoms, I can even realize that evan if this is what I'm afraid it is, it doesn't have to mean its the end. A lot of people make it through stuff like this. But that calm only last a short time.

My husband kept asking me what was wrong because I've been so out of it and quiet for days. I told him about the most recent bump I found and how worried I was about all of them. He told me I need to quit poking and prodding myself all day and stay off the Internet. That I'm so "healthy" and take good care of myself. I wish I could say any of it helped calm my fears.

Anyways sorry this turned out so long. On a good note I was able to make an appointment with an ENT doc for next Wednesday so the wait isn't long. But of course that will probably lead to a whole other level of anxiety.

Ah, mystery solved! ;)

Glad that you have a reassuring answer!

I hope you get the tooth issue resolved soon.

S.C.

Antibiotics take time to become effective...often towards the end of the course.

Lymph nodes take time for the swelling to noticeably reduce. (sometimes weeks)

Try not to worry...all is certainly normal and well.

S.C.

W.C.,

It sounds like your doctor is pretty convinced that this has somethimg to do with your dental issues...

...so try not to worry...get that procedure taken care of mext week, and I am sure all will be back to normal.

I know how difficult it is to simply 'not worry'...so please know you are understood here, that we care...and are cheering you on. 😊

You are going to be alright. Work that health anxiety self help from our Resources. It will help if you keep on it!

S.C.