OpenHealth Q&A

Concerns Over Neck Swelling

As a 24-year-old woman, I visited my physician two weeks ago after experiencing persistent fatigue for over two months. I frequently felt the need to nap, struggled with intermittent leg weakness, encountered constant malaise, and suffered from headaches. The doctor prescribed propranolol to help manage my migraines and suggested conducting blood tests to analyze my thyroid function alongside an ECG. The following day, I observed lymph nodes in my neck that were slightly swollen, around the size of a pea, located closer to my collarbone than to my chin. Several months ago, I had consulted another physician regarding a similar lump behind my ear on the same side, which they dismissed as something not to worry about, and that lump remains unchanged. The subsequent day, I discovered two additional small lumps behind my collarbone, which persisted without any tenderness for several days. Yesterday, while at a pub with friends, I enjoyed half a pint of cider, but within an hour, the swelling on that side of my neck became quite evident. It felt as if there was pressure on my throat, which forced me to tilt my head to alleviate the discomfort. Swallowing became challenging, and when I spoke without angling my head, it sounded as if something was obstructing my throat. Today, I continued to feel the same discomfort, accompanied by a sensation of pressure in my ear on that side, along with numbness and tingling in my jaw and cheek. Feeling alarmed by how rapidly these symptoms developed, I sought help at a Urgent Treatment Center. The nurse confirmed that my neck was indeed swollen and that my glands were raised in both my neck and collarbone area. She indicated I should follow through with the scheduled blood tests and sent me home, stating that there was no immediate action required. This left me wondering if I should have insisted on further examination, especially since the nurse appeared concerned when I explained that I hadn’t been ill with a cold or any infection, and that these nodes seemed to emerge suddenly. My partner has noticed that over the past few weeks, I've hardly eaten anything except for soup or ice cream, attributing this to my difficulty in swallowing more solid foods. He suspects I'm unintentionally gravitating towards more manageable options. I've reached out to my GP via email to ensure that the upcoming blood tests will address these new troubling symptoms, but while the blood work is scheduled for Wednesday, I won’t receive the results or have a follow-up consultation until the 15th. This prolonged wait raises worries about the potential escalation of my condition in the interim.

Answers (1)

7/4/2025, 4:50:41 PM

OpenHealth AI

Key Points: You are experiencing several concerning symptoms including neck swelling, difficulty swallowing, and persistent fatigue, alongside prior fatigue and headaches. While you have upcoming blood tests, it's understandable to feel anxious about your symptoms and the delay in obtaining results.

Explanation: Your symptoms, particularly the swelling of the lymph nodes and pressure in your throat, can arise from various causes. Common factors could include infections (even if you don't feel sick), inflammatory conditions, or less commonly, more significant underlying issues. The fact that you also have fatigue, leg weakness, and headaches could indicate that your body is fighting something, or they could be related to thyroid issues or other systemic conditions.

It is important to acknowledge your concerns about the swelling in your neck and the difficulty you're experiencing when swallowing. This can understandably be very distressing, especially since the symptoms seemed to develop suddenly.

Next Steps:

1. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close watch on your symptoms, especially any changes in the swelling, your swallowing difficulties, or if you develop any additional symptoms such as fever, worsening pain, or significant changes in your overall health.

2. Hydration & Nutrition: Focus on maintaining hydration, especially since your diet has been limited to softer foods. Consider incorporating nutrient-rich smoothies to ensure you're getting enough vitamins and minerals while managing difficulty swallowing.

3. Follow Up Communication: Since you’ve reached out to your GP regarding the blood tests, continue to follow up if you find your symptoms worsening. If new concerning symptoms appear (like fever, increased pain, or significant changes in your ability to breathe), consider seeking urgent care advice promptly.

4. Prepare for Results: Document any additional symptoms or changes in your condition that arise before your upcoming appointment. This information can help guide discussions with your doctor when you finally receive your results.

5. Maintain Calm: It's natural to feel anxious about these symptoms, but try to focus on what you can control. Utilize relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga to help manage stress while you wait for your results.

Your awareness of your symptoms and proactive approach to health is key. As frustrating as the wait can be, you are taking positive steps toward understanding and addressing your health concerns. Please feel free to reach out if you have further questions or need more support.