Swollen Gland/Lump in Neck.

14

I've had a lump (about an inch long) in the right side of my neck for nearly 3 months.
I went to the doctors today, she examined it and thinks that it is a puffed out gland.
I'm going for a blood test tomorrow to check for infections etc, but since its been there such a long time I don't think it could be a virus or anything...

I just wondered if anyone had any ideas as to what the cause could be...?

It feels really tender and I just want it to go away now!

Reply 1

Jennybean

13

Lymph nodes are there to trap infectious crap from your body so that your immune system can deal with them. If you've got a swollen gland then it's probably a pathogen that your body can't deal with. If it's bacterial you'll be given antibiotics, if it's viral you might be given an antiviral drug or have it lanced. In all likelihood absolutely nothing to worry about, just wait for the results of the tests.

Reply 2

YAP

Okay, this is sheer guesswork: pathogenic glandular infection?

Reply 3

mollymustard

OP

14

Jennybean

Lymph nodes are there to trap infectious crap from your body so that your immune system can deal with them. If you've got a swollen gland then it's probably a pathogen that your body can't deal with. If it's bacterial you'll be given antibiotics, if it's viral you might be given an antiviral drug or have it lanced. In all likelihood absolutely nothing to worry about, just wait for the results of the tests.

What if the tests all come back negative? Will I just have to ignore it until it goes away?

Reply 4

Jennybean

13

I'd be very surprised if you've got a swollen lymph node and no infection. That wouldn't make sense biologically. But if they come back negative, your GP will think about other possible diagnoses.

Reply 5

Anonymous #1

I've had that for ages too.....should I be worried?
I was recently told I had a HPV infection on my cervix....could it be that trying to clear itself or something worse?

Reply 6

TheConfuddledOne

10

Had a swollen lymph gland under my chin last year. It's most likely an infection (as mine was) and you'll be treated by antibiotics. :smile:

Reply 7

mollymustard

OP

14

I went to the Doctor today to get the results of my blood test.
Nothing was wrong with my blood count, and I definately don't have glandular fever.

She seemed really confused, especially as the lump has definately got bigger and she cannot tell if it is Thyroid or Lymph Glands.
I'm going to be booked in for an ultrasound in the next few weeks.

The mystery seems to go on and on....

Anyone got any more ideas??

Reply 8

icapturethecastle

16

my sister has something that sounds soo similar

her's really hurts...something about her salivary gland/duct?...and it comes and goes every now and then...the doctors still (been about 5 months now) don't know what it maight be...

Reply 9

mollymustard

OP

14

tami*

my sister has something that sounds soo similar

her's really hurts...something about her salivary gland/duct?...and it comes and goes every now and then...the doctors still (been about 5 months now) don't know what it maight be...

Mine doesn't hurt, its just sore when pressed.
Also, It doesnt come and go it just gets bigger and bigger so I don't think it could be that....

Reply 10

curiositysatisfied

My friend had this and it turned out to be mumps.

Reply 11

Botticello

20

I think i have something similar

If its an inch long Im sure its infected, getting bigger is not a great sign either. Good luck with your bloods. Ive got one that Im sure shouldnt be there, under my chin near the neck, it doesn't hurt but it feels kind of weird to touch, but its quite small. Im going to the doctors anyway on fri so Ill see what he says about it, then I may be of more help.

Reply 12

suek

17

Hope it's nothing too serious /hug

Reply 13

mollymustard

OP

14

Botticello

I think i have something similar

If its an inch long Im sure its infected, getting bigger is not a great sign either. Good luck with your bloods. Ive got one that Im sure shouldnt be there, under my chin near the neck, it doesn't hurt but it feels kind of weird to touch, but its quite small. Im going to the doctors anyway on fri so Ill see what he says about it, then I may be of more help.

I got my bloods back today... all negative.
Thats why I have to go for the neck Ultrasound :frown:

Good luck for fri,
Neck lumps just arn't cool :rolleyes:

Reply 14

mollymustard

OP

14

suek

Hope it's nothing too serious /hug

Thankies

Me too!

Reply 15

Botticello

20

Congrats

me scared

Reply 16

wEe_ScOtTisH_yIn

About 3 months ago I found this little lump on my jaw, but when I went to the doctors he couldn't feel it because it kept moving underneath my jaw. Now it has got bigger. Any ideas what it is? Its quite hard, not painful and moves around.

Reply 17

suek

17

wEe_ScOtTisH_yIn

About 3 months ago I found this little lump on my jaw, but when I went to the doctors he couldn't feel it because it kept moving underneath my jaw. Now it has got bigger. Any ideas what it is? Its quite hard, not painful and moves around.

Bite your cheek too often?

I saw my dentist when I found one of these - I blocked a salivary duct as a result of biting my cheek in the same place three times (accidentally!!)

Reply 18

grammar_king

2

I had the same a few years ago, it turned out to be a pleomorphic adenoma (basically a benign tumour) in my parotid gland on the left side of my neck, just behind my jaw. They decided to operate, took it out, and then a couple of months later it grew back. They operated again to take it out, and in the follow-up ultrasound they found they'd missed some of it, so it grew back about a year later. The final time they decided to remove the whole gland, which was difficult because there's a large facial nerve running right through it. So they did it and so far it hasn't come back. There is a tiny lump where it used to be but it hasn't grown so I think it's just scar tissue. But now I've got a big scar down my neck so I grew a beard to hide it.

Reply 19

namine

It could be a blocked gland - especially if you find that the swelling increases/is more painful when you are eating.

I have the same problem with the submandibular glands under my tongue. When I eat, they sometimes become blocked (by salts contained in the saliva - think of it as like a kidney stone). The left side gland is blocked at the moment and has been for about 2 weeks.

I went to see my doctor last week and he gave me a prescription of amoxicillin to reduce the swelling somewhat as it had become infected and painful.

He also said to take lots of lemon and pineapple drinks, as the citrus flavour produces more saliva and may help clear the blockage on its own.

The swelling has gone down a little but is still there (I can feel the blockage under my tongue, but I can't get at it!) and I went back to my gp this morning who has referred me to the oral surgery department in my local hospital where they will try to get it out.

I will keep you posted on how I get on!

Swollen Gland/Lump in Neck.

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