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justBoB
New User
Joined: 01 Feb 2008
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:05 pm Post subject: Enlarged lymph nodes |
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I am just wondering if an infection or virus can cause lymph nodes to not only enlarge but be hard and painless. I have gone to the doctor several times with enlarging submandibular lymp nodes on one side of my neck, they are very hard. I have no cold or inifection which he says is causing it, I havent been sick for a few months. The have been continuously getting bigger for about 6 weeks now and now the ones on the other side of my neck are also starting to get enlarged, also now the ear on the same side of my neck that has swollen nodes is starting to feel plugged, so maybe I had an ear infection that didnt cause pain??? The wierd thing is I have had no fever. I have no symptoms other then enlarged lymph nodes, although I am always tired but I cracked this up to drinking way to much coffee. The only other wierd thing is I never usually bruise and I got 2 huge bruises on my legs and I dont even know where they came from. I showed the bruises lymph nodes and told him about my ear and he tried to give me antibiotics. I dunno....
Also I would like to say hi and I hope all of you are doing well, I have been poking in and around and reading alot of your posts in the last little while after I found this site when my mom was Diax with melanoma. And after seeing all of Brainmans replies to everyone and I am assuming he will read this (lol) how are you doing brainman, hope everything is going okay considering. |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3388
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:45 pm Post subject: Re: Enlarged lymph nodes |
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Hi justBob, I am not sure but if the doctor says that it is an infection, then I assume that it is possible for an infection to cause swollen lymph nodes to be hard. I do know that sometimes lymph nodes can remain enlarged for a long time... sometimes without a detectable infection. The bruising might or might not be probably unrelated. Keep working with your medical team to try to identify the cause(s) of your current health issues.
Best wishes.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
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umbleweed
Regular
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject: Re: Enlarged lymph nodes |
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If you're lymph nodes are getting bigger and there is no sign of infection you need to press for further testing. Yes lymph nodes can swell and stay the same size, providing they are rubbery, small (within 1cm), non tender, and not fixed to underlying tissue or matted together these are sometimes called "shotty" or "shoddy" lymph nodes. Regardless, further testing is still essential to rule anything serious out before coming to that conclusion.
Somewhere along the lines of - Blood tests, CT/Ultrasound, and fine needle aspiration of one of nodes.
Imo - Doctors who brush you off without definitive answers, or make a diagnosis based on statistics dont deserve the title.
Best of luck,
Umbleweed. |
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justBoB
New User
Joined: 01 Feb 2008
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: Enlarged lymph nodes |
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Well a new Dr. finally figured out whats wrong with me, and I feel silly for even posting here now with all the amazing people battling such horrable deseases. I probably would not have even been worried by this or even given it a second though, but recently a few people close to me got cancer and I did some reasearching on the internet, I didnt even know what a lymph node was a few months ago!
I went to a new Dr. and explained my symptoms, swollen nodes for a long time, fatigue and plugged ear. It was actually the plugged ear that made me keep nagging the Dr's for which I am thankful now. He said "well I think I know whats going on" and sent me for a CT scan. The CT scan showed that I have chronic sinus infection. The Dr. said that I have probably had it for a long time and thats why i didn't really notice the symptoms as much because they crept up on me causing fatigue and the swollen nodes. The ear infection was cause because the sinus infection finally spread prompting me to go to the Dr's. I didn't even realize how horrable and tired I felt until I started feeling better and realized what my normal was (or used to be) Anyway, sorry for bothering you again with such a tedious problem, and thanks brainman for your responce, it made me feel much better when I was quite stressed out. |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3388
Location: Tennessee
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