Sore and swollen lymph nodes

nickythebean

Hi all. I am getting weekly Herceptin/taxol infusions and also taking Tykerb. Chemo #5 was yesterday. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that some of my lymph nodes (the ones right next to my ears) and one of the ones behind my ears (didn't even know we had lymph nodes back there - just felt like a bump that was bruised but hubby said maybe it was a lymph node - looked it up and he was right! - who knew? Lol) were swollen and sore. I have not been sick at all, no fever, blood counts normal. I wondered if maybe it was just a side effect from chemo. Looked it up and got scared it was mets. Onco nurse said to see my GP to have a look in my ears and throat, that the onco didn't think it was related to my cancer and didn't think it was mets. I know I'm not sick in ears and throat though.



Anybody had this happen? After my chemo yesterday, the nodes are actually down today. Hubby thinks maybe steroids caused them to go down and that they'll swell back up once steroids are flushed out. Any ideas?

kathleen1966

I hope you get some good responses soon!  I would talk to your oncologist about the nodes if you are not having any sick symptoms.  It could be a side effect and also I think it would be unusual for cancer to skip your other nodes and just jump to the nodes behind your ear (I asked about this as I was having pain under my chin during chemo). I also don't know if steroids would cause node swelling although they did cause pain for me. Are these nodes prone to this type of inflammation?

kathleen1966

Bump, you need some responses!!!!

nickythebean

Just FYI, my nodes never did swell back up. I am chalking it up to a fluke. Thanks for the responses and the bump!!

Sanibel

I am in my 6th week of Tykerb and Herceptin.  Developed the "rash" (ACNE) on my face, scalp and in my ears.  I have been taking Minocycline 2 times/day and Clindamycin topical for my face 2 times/day.  I'm on vacation and woke up yesterday with a sore scalp.  I have developed some type of sores - my husband says they look to be oozing (yuck!!) but all i can see are white patches.  My hair is so sore, it hurts to touch it and washing it was so painful!  I also woke up with a stiff neck yesterday.  Behind my left ear I thought there was some swelling.  Today, I developed a sore neck on both my left and right side behind my ears.  Also noticed swelling of what I think are my lymph nodes - 2 pea sized/shaped bumps behind my right ear and one behind my left ear.  Called the on-call doctor who said it sounded tykerb related and I should skip my dose tonight.  Waiting to talk to my regular onc tmw.  Did you ever get an answer??