Should I get a second opinion about my slightly swollen lymph nodes?

Question

I've noticed a slight painless swelling of a lymph node on my neck (I think a posterior cervical node) for a few weeks now. It's probably about 1 cm x 0.5 cm, which isn't that big, but it's noticeably larger than the node on the other side. I've also had some subtle aching around the back of my jawline. I feel healthy otherwise. I have lost about 6-8 pounds over the last 2 months, but I also started working out more and eating much more healthy a few months ago.
Being a natural hypochondriac, I assumed lymphoma and saw a doctor. I got antibiotics-no change. Recently, I had left side abdominal tenderness for a few days, which is mostly gone now, and my doctor said my spleen may be enlarged. He did a mono test, which was negative, but he said not to worry, as it was probably another viral infection, and my lymph node wasn't even really enlarged. My blood tests came back with slightly decreased WBC and increased monocytes. Should I get another opinion now or just keep an eye on it?

Answer 1

I'd keep going until you get some definitive answers. My lymphoma was undetected until a biopsy of the node at the base of my neck was done. And that was being done as a routine test - they were all set to remove my thyroid. After the fine needle aspiration [biopsy] we all found out I had lymphoma. Any itching? Night sweats?
Here's the best site for info:
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls
Best wishes

Answer 2

I have had a lymph node close to my armpit for about 12 years now. It is breast tissue and it goes and comes with hormonal changes. I have always monitored it and I'm always told it is harmless. You should check with the dr. to make sure. It could be nothing but you can't just be wondering if it is or isn't. Good luck!

Answer 3

Having had lymphoma, it doesn't sound like you need to worry right now, but you can test yourself if you want.

The following was copied from an Internet news group.

Why would I rely on your backward methods for diagnosing cancer, that is, with invasive procedures such as biopsies and radiation from CT scans?? Are you aware that when a person has cancer they have elevated levels of hCGH in their urine? This can sometime be detected with a pregnancy test if the hCGH levels are high enough.

Because I had a dozen visible lesions or more and testicular pain, I screened myself with a simple pregnancy test. In my case the levels were high enough to register positive. Since I'm a man, and I had lesions and pain, it was quite obvious that I had cancer.

So once again, the macabre ways you are familiar with for diagnosing and treating cancer patients are unnecessary.

Let me add a caveat, pregnancy tests don't always show positive when a person has cancer because the hCGH levels aren't always high enough. But if they are high enough...bingo! It's a great way to to uncover cancer cheaply and painlessly.

There is a more sophisticated pregnancy test that is about 98% accurate and picks up malignancies six months to two years prior to other methods of screening. The downside to that test right now is that you have to send away for the results and there is a six week turn around on the results.

One more thing. The hCGH conection is yet another piece of evidence that cancer cells are trophoblast cells that have been turned on. It's the unitarian theory of cancer which was first discovered by a Dr. Beard about 100 years ago.

Trophoblast cells release hCGH as a byproduct of its activity. In pregnancy it plays a role in producing life by invasively eating a niche in the uterine wall. In cancer, the same invasiveness causes destruction. But the trophoblast cells can be turned off easily as my own case helps to demonstrate.

In conclusion, in this thread we're discussing the merits of a variety of deadly chemo agents in a case that is so far advanced that the only outcome from the chemo is going to be negative. It's a case of 'pretending' to be doing something. The doctors want to help. Unfortunately their tools aren't suited to the task. But psychologically they must believe, especially when it can be difficult to tell the patient you have nothing to offer them.

Meanwhile, the only methods that work are the ones that turn off the trophoblast cells while supporting the healthy cells....which happen to be the vast majority of the cells. Chemo fails in the latter. And instead of turning off the trophoblast cells, they kill them. It's a recipe for disaster.

Answer 4

Making dietary changes is your first line of defense in treating hypothyroidism. Learn here https://tr.im/Gd6du

Many people with hypothyroidism experience crippling fatigue and brain fog, which prompts reaching for non-nutritional forms of energy like sugar and caffeine. I’ve dubbed these rascals the terrible twosome, as they can burn out your thyroid (and destabilize blood sugar).

1. Just say no to the dietary bungee cord. Greatly reduce or eliminate caffeine and sugar, including refined carbohydrates like flour, which the body treats like sugar. Make grain-based carbohydrates lesser of a focus, eating non-starchy vegetables to your heart’s content.

2. Up the protein. Protein transports thyroid hormone to all your tissues and enjoying it at each meal can help normalize thyroid function. Proteins include nuts and nut butters; quinoa; hormone- and antibiotic-free animal products (organic, grass-fed meats, eggs, and sustainably-farmed fish); and legumes.

Answer 5

I am a Lymphoma patient stage 4 and they never found mine till they did biopsies. the first Dr said "do you think there is some thing wrong is that why you want a biopsy" I said yes and he refused and sent me to an oncologist and that is when they did the test and found it . I would strongly suggest you to see another Dr

Answer 6

Sure, better go to an oncologist for second opinion, since you have lost weight, decreased WBC with increased Monocytes count.
All the best.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Yes..a second opinion is nearly always sensible.

Good luck,
Paul

Answer 9

you should get a second opinion. so many people's lives could be saved by early detection, plus then you can have piece of mind.