swollen nodes in neck

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elise24601
elise24601 Member Posts: 155
edited June 2018 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

So I had two swollen and tender nodes in my neck, starting about 10 days ago. They appeared suddenly alongside a head cold and some scalp irritation. I went to urgent care because at stage 3c I know I am high risk. Doctor there examined me and said he was certain it was inflammatory reaction to my cold. Two days later I saw my primary care physician and she said the same thing. Both were not concerned but said the swelling would go down within a week as the other symptoms subsided.

Here I am, almost 2 weeks later, and although one node is much smaller (and soft and mobile) the other has not shrunk or changed at all. My scalp has healed and my cold is gone. I am so worried. I see my oncologist later this week.

Wondering if others have had this without it being mets? The bad node is right under my skull on the back of neck. It was painful but that has gone away. But it feels hard, the size of a peanut. I know infections can cause this, but why would it linger for so long?

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  • kcat2013
    kcat2013 Member Posts: 391
    edited January 2018

    My experience is that it can take quite awhile for lymph node swelling to go down after illness. I had a swollen node on my neck (cancer side) that my oncologist found, I had had a cold about a month before that. She had me watch it for a month with instructions to call her if it either increased in size or didn't go down in size. The swelling went away in that month of watching (so it took 4-6 weeks total after my cold was gone). Another time my oncologist noted a swollen node right about my collar bone, but wasn't concerned because I'd had reconstructive surgery about 8 weeks prior and said it was not unusual to experience node swelling at that point--that node swelling did go away also.

    It's a good thing you have an oncologist appointment soon to take a look at your swollen nodes--I think it's always prudent to check in with the oncologist. But I wanted to give you hope that it may just be benign (normal) lymph swelling.


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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited January 2018

    I had a really bad cold around Thanksgiving that took forever to get over. I was actually feeling better when I noticed swollen and tender nodes on both sides of my throat and under my chin. I went to my PCP and they ended up doing a CBC (normal) and putting me on an antibiotic even though my ears, nose, throats looked okay and no fever.

    It's been a couple of weeks since then and the ones under my chin are still tender. I see my MO tomorrow and plan to discuss it with him. For some reason - I'm thinking that lymph nodes can take something like 6 weeks to resolve?


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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2018

    Lymph nodes can sometimes stay swollen for months.... which is enough to drive us bonkers

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited January 2018

    I have some nodes in my neck that swelled a few years ago during a cold and are still swollen now. Sometimes that happens, it's not uncommon.

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  • Npreece
    Npreece Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2018

    I had a swollen lymph node at the base of my skull pop up a few days ago. I was so worried I called my oncologist today. My onc told me that it wasn't uncommon for lymph nodes to swell during chemotherapy. (I had round two on the 20th of December.) I had been trying to "double check" what he said and stumbled upon your post. Please update if you find out anything else.

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  • elise24601
    elise24601 Member Posts: 155
    edited March 2018

    My nodes went back to normal - not cancer! was from a cold and unrelated scalp infection.

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  • Lana8880
    Lana8880 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2018

    Hello, I’m very glad that your nodes came back to normal! Tell us please how much time did it take to came back to normal size? Did you get some antibiotics? Thank you

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2018

    Great news Elise!

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  • NotBrokenJustBent
    NotBrokenJustBent Member Posts: 394
    edited April 2018

    Heading to my PCP tomorrow for one swollen neck node. It has been bothering me for three weeks so it is time. Will the fear ever leave us?

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  • Lana8880
    Lana8880 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2018

    NotBrokenJustBent wish you good luck!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2018

    Let us know how it goes.

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  • NotBrokenJustBent
    NotBrokenJustBent Member Posts: 394
    edited April 2018

    Hey guys. I felt I owed you a rely about the doctor. Unfortunately it was an early morning appointment and the node swells more as the day goes on so she could not feel it. I was also complaining of extreme fatigue so she is running a gambit of tests including Lyme, thyroid, CBC and basic chem. I go back in 3 weeks.

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  • Daywalker
    Daywalker Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2018

    I had a CT scan yesterday, which showed I'm still NEAD but I have a swollen lymphnode under my right arm.. However, I did have reconstructive surgery five weeks ago, so hopefully that is the cause.. All the best with this roller coaster journey

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  • Lana8880
    Lana8880 Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2018

    Hello, NotBrokenJustBent,how are you? Have any news about your neck node?

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