Experiencing Multiple Swollen Lymph Nodes Without Illness
Hello everyone. I created a new account for this discussion to keep my personal details a bit more private; I hope that’s acceptable. A bit of background about myself: I’m a 30-year-old woman, standing at 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 110 pounds. My medical history includes lupus and what appears to be primary hypertension, as no other causes have been identified. Over the past two years, I’ve experienced two spontaneous vertebral dissections, one to the right and one to the left, the latter occurring in June of this year. I also manage ADHD and depression effectively. Currently, I am on a regimen of losartan, metoprolol, spironolactone, adderall, bupropion, azathioprine, hydroxychloroquine, and baby aspirin. This evening, while preparing for bed, I discovered about a dozen swollen lymph nodes across various locations on my body. I have one positioned beneath the left side of my jaw, three in a chain located in my right armpit toward the outer region, two more in the middle of that area, and four in my left armpit. Additionally, there is one near the left collarbone and two on the right side of my neck, closer to my head. I might be missing some others, as I’m uncertain where to look besides my head, neck, and armpits. If needed, I can share images for clarity. None of these lymph nodes are painful, and most are visible through my skin. Typically, I would assume that such an occurrence indicates an impending illness, but I don’t have any signs of being unwell. My throat appears normal, and although my left ear is mildly uncomfortable, I suspect it’s due to referred pain from a dental filling. I have no fever or additional symptoms. I’ve never encountered this many swollen lymph nodes before; while a couple of them wouldn’t usually concern me, this feels excessive. I’m questioning whether this might signal the onset of the flu or if I’m about to be significantly affected by some other virus. I greatly appreciate any insights or advice from those who might be able to assist! 🩷
Answers (1)
9/16/2025, 4:50:47 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be concerned about the sudden appearance of multiple swollen lymph nodes, especially given your medical history. Swollen lymph nodes can indicate various things—from infections to inflammatory conditions—but their presence without accompanying signs of illness can also be less alarming. Let's break this down.
Main Points
You have several swollen lymph nodes, but you currently don't have signs of illness. Given your history of lupus and other health conditions, this requires careful observation but is not necessarily urgent.
Explanation
Lymph nodes are part of your immune system and can become swollen for various reasons:
- Infections: This can be viral or bacterial, but you mentioned not having any symptoms like fever or illness.
- Inflammation: Conditions like lupus can cause lymph nodes to swell due to systemic inflammation.
- Normal Variations: Some individuals experience lymph node swelling without an identifiable cause, particularly in response to minor infections or stress.
Next Steps
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on any changes. If you develop fever, significant pain, night sweats, loss of weight, or if the lymph nodes continue to grow or persist beyond a couple of weeks, it's important to seek further evaluation.
-
Stay Hydrated and Rest: Ensure you're drinking enough water and getting ample rest, as your body needs energy to manage inflammation.
-
Jaw and Ear Pain: For the mild discomfort in your ear, consider using warm compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary, but monitor if it progresses.
-
Document Changes: Keep a log of the size of the lymph nodes and any new symptoms. This will be helpful if you need to discuss it with a healthcare provider later.
-
Reach out if Needed: If your mild ear discomfort worsens or if you experience any new concerning symptoms, consider reaching out to a healthcare provider.
Understanding and monitoring your body can be empowering, especially managing multiple health conditions. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if needed; you deserve support in this process.
Related Questions
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight
As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods
Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms
Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!
Should I Seek Medical Attention for Left Ear Pulsatile Tinnitus?
A 31-year-old woman reports an ongoing issue with pulsatile tinnitus, which she is currently experiencing solely in her left ear. Although she's noticed this condition intermittently before, she hadn’t paid it much mind due to the absence of pain. Recently, however, her curiosity piqued her interest in researching the condition, where she stumbled upon information suggesting it could be serious. Usually, she avoids searching online for health worries, but now she is contemplating whether a visit to the doctor might be warranted. Can anyone advise on the need for a medical evaluation in this case?