thought I'd repost and see if I get a response

[brandons_mom]

I had a swollen lymph node back in March or so that I got when I had a severe sinus infection.  The node was located about 1/2 inch below my right ear and was less than 2 cm in diameter.  I went to the doctor, scared that I had lymphoma and was assured by her that the size was not a concern.  Months went by and I had a complete physical back in June, which went well.  I went to the Dr. the other day for a myriad of health concerns I was having, one of them being that the lymph node in my neck from March was still there, although it was not nearly as prominent as before.  It is now less than 1 cm in diameter, so it has undoubtedly gotten smaller in size.  I have also lost about 20 pounds within the last 3 months without changing much in my lifestyle other than the fact I rarely am hungry and don't eat much (stress?).  My doctor called me the day after my appt. and said she didn't recall that lymph node being there at my physical in June and she wanted me to come back in 1 month to monitor the size and make sure there was no progression.  This of course made my wheels start turning...I know for 100% fact that the lymph node is in fact the same one I had after my sinus infection, it just never went down completely.  I know that it's the same one because I've been messing with it for the last 8 months or so.  This is the email response my doctor sent me when I addressed my concerns about lymphoma, what does everyone think?

Hi Ashley,

Your white cell count is fine and the decreased level of lymphocyte on the white cell count differential is not significant, and has no bearing on the lymph node.

Since you are 100% sure that the lymph node has been there for 1 year, the fact that it has decreased in size and has remained the solitary lymph node there is a good sign that it is benign. I still recommend that you follow up with me in 4 weeks.

Take care.


To me this seems to mean that she is still concerned with the lymph node? Or, she just wants to be sure it's not growing in size? It hasn't grown at all over the months but now I am thinking that I have lymphoma and that explains my weight loss.  I also think it has already metastasized to my brain which would explain my symptoms of severe depersonalization.  How should I interpret this email response from my doctor? Does she seem overly concerned about it?  I am lacking so much insight into my health right now....thanks.

Ash

[AnxiouSteve]

Please remember that your swollen lymph node is a single symptom that in an of itself means nothing.  There are a million reasons for that.  The fact that you chose lymphoma indicates to me that you are catastrophizing, meaning you are finding the worst possible meaning for any ambiguous sign.

You obviously think you have unhealthy anxiety because you are here, right?

Have you told this to you doctor?  Have you considered seeking the advice of a mental health professional.

How nervous do you get about it on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is the most afraid you've ever been, and 1 is just a bit nervous?  For how long do you remain afraid?

Breathing exercises have helped me tremendously.  Its not a magic bullet, but it tends to keep my anxiety at level 1.  If something triggers a jump, it help me lower it to a manageable level.

[Eva62]

Ashley,

I am going through the same swollen lymph node right now.  Mine is in my neck and actually was getting smaller until I poked it to death today. My doctor felt I had an ear and sinus infection and put me on Zitromax. He told me to reevaluate in 4-5 weeks. I had blood work done 6 weeks ago and everything was normal, so I am trying not to stress.  Today was an especially bad day, and I too diagnosed myself with lymphoma!  I even started giving myself all the symptoms and poking and rubbing the node until it was painful!  I'm checking the consistency of it and the size, etc, etc.  My sister told me tonight that she gets this often and that the last time it took over 5 weeks and 4 different types of antibiotics until it finally went away.

I think we both have to give it the amount of time our doctor's suggested and try not to mess with it.  I know that when I am busy, I can completely ignore it, but since I was laid off, that's not an easy thing to do.

Lets both try not to stress this,

Eva