Persistent Neck Lump and Blood Results: Should I Be Worried?
I’m a 20-year-old female with a weight of 50 kg and a height of 157 cm. For several years now, I've been dealing with elevated white blood cell counts. Back in 2020, I noticed a lump on the right side of my neck. When I consulted a general practitioner, he dismissed it as unimportant, but I've recently started experiencing a multitude of alarming symptoms that leave me concerned. Is there a potential serious issue at play here? Currently, my blood tests show lymphocytes at 4.8 and a white blood cell count of 11.80. My hemoglobin levels are at 119, and shockingly, my iron is just 4. Despite taking numerous supplements, my iron levels barely improve before plummeting again. Over the past week, I’ve encountered significant gastrointestinal problems; specifically, I haven’t been able to have a bowel movement. I’m unsure where my food is going; in fact, I even refrained from eating for three days in hopes of rectifying the situation, but it hasn’t helped. My abdomen has become so distended due to the buildup, yet I feel no urge to relieve myself, which is incredibly frightening. I’m still grappling with these symptoms, and during today’s appointment, the doctor claimed this was normal and prescribed electrolytes.
Answers (1)
7/28/2025, 12:50:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing a range of concerning symptoms that may require further attention. While I understand that your previous doctor dismissed some of your concerns, the combination of the neck lump, elevated white blood cell counts, persistently low iron levels, and significant gastrointestinal issues warrants a thorough assessment. Here’s a breakdown of your situation:
Main Points:
- Lump on Neck & Lymphocyte Count: While elevated white blood cell counts and lymphocytes might indicate an underlying issue, it's crucial to investigate further, especially since you have a persistent neck lump.
- Iron Deficiency: Your low iron levels, despite taking supplements, can lead to anemia and may be related to gastrointestinal issues.
- Gastrointestinal Distress: The inability to have a bowel movement, along with abdominal distension and discomfort, is a significant concern.
Explanation:
- Elevated White Blood Cell Count and Lymphocytes: These can signify an immune response, possibly due to infection, inflammation, or other health conditions. However, the specific meaning depends on further investigation.
- Persistent Lump: While some lumps can be benign, any persistent lump in the neck should be evaluated, particularly when coupled with unusual blood findings.
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Your described symptoms suggest severe constipation, which can be impacted by diet, hydration, and potentially an obstruction, especially given the severity of your situation.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Your Symptoms: Track any changes in your neck lump or any new symptoms you experience.
- Hydration: Increase your fluid intake significantly with water and consider electrolyte beverages, especially if you are feeling dehydrated. This can help with bowel movements.
- Dietary Change: Gradually integrate high-fiber foods into your diet (if not already) such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, consider a gentle laxative like magnesium citrate if appropriate to relieve constipation.
- Iron Supplementation: Since your iron levels are critically low, check the type of supplement you are taking. Ferrous sulfate is often recommended for better absorption. You might also want to take vitamin C alongside it to aid absorption.
- Urgent Follow-Up: Given the significant abdominal symptoms and iron deficiency, seek a second opinion, ideally a specialist, such as a hematologist for blood issues and a gastroenterologist for gastrointestinal problems. This is essential, especially because you are no longer passing stools.
Please take these steps seriously and prioritize following up on your symptoms with a healthcare professional who can provide deeper insights and diagnostics. Your health deserves close attention, and I hope you find relief and answers soon.
Related Questions
Seeking Alternatives to Miralax Due to Adverse Effects
I’m a 31-year-old female, weighing 149 pounds and standing at 5’4”. I have several health conditions, including scoliosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), idiopathic intracranial hypertension, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), elevated cholesterol levels, and costochondritis. My daily medication regimen includes a birth control pill, omeprazole, and famotidine at a dose of 40mg, along with vitamin D3 and glycerin suppositories used approximately twice weekly. I underwent an emergency cholecystectomy in February 2021 and an endoscopy in May 2022, which revealed excessive bile and antral type mucosa signs of reactive gastropathy. Additionally, I had sinus surgery in July 2024. In summary, I'm looking for alternatives to Miralax, which has been making me feel dizzy and unwell while also causing dehydration. Could medications for acid reflux be contributing to constipation issues? Since 2014, I have intermittently used omeprazole, but I have been steadily taking it since 2023 on my primary care physician’s recommendation. Beginning in August 2023, I started experiencing cycles of diarrhea and constipation. After consulting with a GI nurse in May 2024, she suggested incorporating famotidine and both one dose of Miralax and fiber supplements into my daily routine. While I noticed some slight improvement, Miralax has consistently left me feeling faint and weak—almost as though I need to lie down. In June 2024, I found myself in the emergency room due to chest pains, dizziness, and shortness of breath, and the diagnosis pointed to dehydration caused by Miralax, which my body apparently struggled to process despite my efforts to increase fluid intake. Following the GI nurse's advice, I reduced my Miralax dosage to one-half or one-quarter of a cap, but I still ended up feeling unwell without any alleviation of constipation. Although I’m consuming more liquids, steering clear of dairy, and incorporating a daily smoothie with flaxseed and fruit, I still rely on glycerin suppositories 2-3 times weekly for a bowel movement. Going beyond a day without one results in discomfort beneath my ribs. In frustration, I tried another cap of Miralax tonight and felt lightheaded just 20 minutes afterward. I’m wondering if there are any other options I could explore? Are medications like omeprazole and famotidine known to cause constipation? I’m contemplating a follow-up with a gastroenterologist, but her previous advice of increasing fiber intake has only worsened my constipation. I'm feeling overwhelmed and weary of this struggle. Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help!
Sharp Abdominal Discomfort After Eating Pizza
I'm reaching out on behalf of my fiancé. He is a 27-year-old male, weighs 265 pounds, and has ADHD. A few years ago, he was cautioned regarding his elevated cholesterol levels but is not currently on any medication. Recently, he indulged in some pizza and has subsequently developed severe abdominal pain that intensifies with water intake. This is causing him considerable distress. This isn’t the first occurrence; approximately three years ago, he experienced similar sharp pains that were so severe he needed to visit an urgent care facility. At that time, the doctor prescribed medication for stomach cramps along with a stool softer, which resolved the issue within three to four days. While he doesn’t have this reaction every time he consumes pizza, the episodes always follow a pizza meal. Could this simply be a severe case of indigestion, or is there a possibility of something more significant? He is concerned about the potential for a bowel obstruction, but how likely is that?
Am I Consuming Too Much Sodium?
Hello everyone! I stand at 5 feet 7 inches tall and weigh 205 pounds. At 26 years old, I recently began a new job that involves moderate physical activity, which has resulted in me sweating quite a bit throughout the day. I make sure to drink plenty of water, yet I'm finding it challenging to maintain my electrolyte levels. Though I have hydration packets and drinks like Body Armor, they seem to be deficient in sodium. While using MyFitnessPal to monitor my food consumption, I've noticed that my sodium intake has been around 1000 mg daily over the past few days. Given how much I sweat, it’s likely that I am losing more sodium than I’m replacing. To address this, I decided to mix just under a teaspoon of salt into my coconut water, and I duly noted this addition in my tracking app. I plan to limit this practice, thinking that a single day of increased sodium might help me recover from the days of deficit. Now, I'm starting to worry if I might have gone overboard. My health anxiety is kicking in, and I'm imagining the worst outcomes. I mean, am I going to be alright? 😂 I’ve noticed that my sweat has stopped tasting salty and feels more like plain water these last few days, which is causing me some concern. Did I make a mistake with this decision?
Persistent Stomach Pain Disrupting My Routine
I’m an 18-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 13 stone 5 pounds. I don’t consume alcohol, nor do I use drugs or smoke. Just to clarify, I’m not expecting either. For the past four days, I’ve been battling a stomach ache and I’m curious whether it’s just constipation or if a doctor’s visit is advisable. Apologies if this seems like too much information, but I assume you’ve encountered worse stories. Last Wednesday was particularly difficult; I experienced excruciating abdominal pain. Around 10 PM, I rushed to the bathroom and had diarrhea that lasted for a whole hour. Afterward, I rehydrated and went to bed, feeling fine afterward. However, the next day was a complete turnaround as I didn’t manage to have a bowel movement at all, which is unusual for me. I’ve recently altered my diet to shed some pounds and typically go twice a day, but on this occasion, I had no desire to eat and felt somewhat unwell. After getting some rest, I was okay all day on Friday, but then Saturday hit, and the stomach pain returned intensely. Despite drinking around four pints of water, I felt a bit dehydrated, had zero appetite, and experienced mild feverish symptoms without an actual fever. I was again constipated and just generally unwell. I took two ibuprofen for a separate issue (tooth pain), but oddly enough, that seemed to intensify my stomach discomfort. Now, it’s Sunday morning, and the pain has escalated. I woke up early, having only managed about six hours of sleep, and I’m writhing in discomfort. Sometimes it feels like mild cramps or menstrual pain, but other times the pain surges like I’ve been struck in the stomach. I’m still dealing with constipation, feeling bloated, and now I’m experiencing nausea. I did seek advice from chat GPT initially, but I would much rather hear from a human. Is this just a lingering stomach bug from Wednesday, or could it be indicative of something else? Should I head to a walk-in clinic, or should I simply try to rest through it for the day?
Experiencing Stomach Issues and Menstrual Discomfort?
Greetings, I have a medical appointment scheduled for later this week in hopes of uncovering some insights about my ongoing health challenges. I find myself in a frustrating position, as I am aware that something isn’t quite right, yet my blood tests consistently return normal results. As a woman in my late twenties, these concerns have become increasingly bothersome. I have been dealing with persistent bloating in my lower abdomen for what seems like an eternity. While I maintain a healthy weight, my stomach often appears swollen. Additionally, I've been grappling with significant digestive disturbances, including frequent burping after meals and even post-bowel movements. Diarrhea has become a common occurrence, and recently I’ve noticed mucus present in my stools. Furthermore, my menstrual cycles are not only irregular but also accompanied by severe pain that radiates to my legs, along with discomfort in my back and right side, coupled with heavy bleeding. Occasionally, I experience the passage of large, painful blood clots. After assessing my hormone levels, I discovered that my LH/FSH ratio was 4:1; although my doctor suggested the possibility of PCOS, an ultrasound ruled out the presence of cysts. Given that my father has recently been diagnosed with severe Ulcerative Colitis, he has advised me to consider getting tested for this condition as well. I often feel overlooked during my appointments, with healthcare providers emphasizing the importance of diet and exercise rather than addressing my specific issues. Does anyone have recommendations for questions or topics I could bring up with my doctor? I understand that the healthcare system in my country is quite overwhelmed, leading to a reluctance to address non-emergency cases, but I am exhausted from feeling unwell and fatigued so frequently.