Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Swollen Lymph Nodes
Question: Hello,
I am a 23 year old male, otherwise healthy. I went to Las Vegas two weeks ago for a three day period -- each night I went out, binge drank, partied, etc. all on very little sleep. When I returned home I was sick and had a few days of body aches, bad phlegm, general cold symptoms, etc. I also had itchy eyes, and my left lower eyelid was red and swollen (this last symptom could have been totally unrelated; the swollen-ness disappeared, and the itchiness has slowly done the same)
Now it is the 14th. Although I feel all better (no phlegm, no headaches, etc.), I notice that beneath my jaw, on the left side near the back (if I had to pick a spot, I'd say it's to the left of my adam's apple, and up a bit), there is a swollen, minor painful feeling that has persisted since my return. I've been sick before and had swollen lymph nodes, and it feels very much like that (I can feel it when I swallow) yet I cannot locate any enlarged area with my hand at all, or even locate the pain, really, for that matter.
I noticed the pain went away for a day upon my return after I was well rested (at least it seemed to). I then had a friend visit this past weekend and went out and drank another three nights in a row, and the symptom has persisted... At times it feels better than others, but I am still quite scared. I'm afraid I have lymphoma, or perhaps thyroid cancer.
People tell me my voice is raspy and that with extended rest the lymph node, or whatever it is, will heal, but I am still concerned... is it possible for the lymph node to be swollen and not feel it? Can these things undergo a "resurgence" if you will, if you do not rest up enough, or should it have gone away by now? Would it be wise to get an MRI or X-ray to discount any serious issue? I would just like to know how concerned I should be, as these things scare me quite a bit.
Thank you.
I am a 23 year old male, otherwise healthy. I went to Las Vegas two weeks ago for a three day period -- each night I went out, binge drank, partied, etc. all on very little sleep. When I returned home I was sick and had a few days of body aches, bad phlegm, general cold symptoms, etc. I also had itchy eyes, and my left lower eyelid was red and swollen (this last symptom could have been totally unrelated; the swollen-ness disappeared, and the itchiness has slowly done the same)
Now it is the 14th. Although I feel all better (no phlegm, no headaches, etc.), I notice that beneath my jaw, on the left side near the back (if I had to pick a spot, I'd say it's to the left of my adam's apple, and up a bit), there is a swollen, minor painful feeling that has persisted since my return. I've been sick before and had swollen lymph nodes, and it feels very much like that (I can feel it when I swallow) yet I cannot locate any enlarged area with my hand at all, or even locate the pain, really, for that matter.
I noticed the pain went away for a day upon my return after I was well rested (at least it seemed to). I then had a friend visit this past weekend and went out and drank another three nights in a row, and the symptom has persisted... At times it feels better than others, but I am still quite scared. I'm afraid I have lymphoma, or perhaps thyroid cancer.
People tell me my voice is raspy and that with extended rest the lymph node, or whatever it is, will heal, but I am still concerned... is it possible for the lymph node to be swollen and not feel it? Can these things undergo a "resurgence" if you will, if you do not rest up enough, or should it have gone away by now? Would it be wise to get an MRI or X-ray to discount any serious issue? I would just like to know how concerned I should be, as these things scare me quite a bit.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Possible not to feel the enlarged LN / MRI if needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi young man.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history and understanding about the problems that you may have, but sorry to say that you are thinking of lymphoma or cancer at your age.
Do not be scared as the cancers or lymphoma are never painful unless complicated by local spread or involvement of the adjacent sensory nerve; and fortunately this does not get OK within a few days as you have mentioned.
Your another query :
MRI or X-ray - no role of X-ray in this case.
MRI definitely helps in clinical diagnosis. But should be considered if you have complete the course of medicines.
I would suggest you the following:
First of all take a course of an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicines for 7 day under the prescription of your Doctor or an ENT Surgeon, who will also examine you for the possibility of Lymph node or some other form of problem like Hyoid or Thyroid cartilage inflammation (Chondritits) causing the pain in the same area which you have nicely described.
If 7-day course does not help completely, you may then for for the blood tests and MRI if your Doctor feels so.
It is very much possible that the lymph node be enlarged but not sufficiently large enough to be palpable Feeling with fingers).
Resurgence is always there , the moment there is an infection in the area of drainage of that particular Lymph node/s.
Just rest does not help all the times, one needs proper treatment of the cause and the effects (enlargement of lymph nodes). So it may or may not have gone by this time.
I hope this answer helps you to understand the points you put forthwith.
Please feel to ask for more if you need to or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication.
Possible not to feel the enlarged LN / MRI if needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi young man.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history and understanding about the problems that you may have, but sorry to say that you are thinking of lymphoma or cancer at your age.
Do not be scared as the cancers or lymphoma are never painful unless complicated by local spread or involvement of the adjacent sensory nerve; and fortunately this does not get OK within a few days as you have mentioned.
Your another query :
MRI or X-ray - no role of X-ray in this case.
MRI definitely helps in clinical diagnosis. But should be considered if you have complete the course of medicines.
I would suggest you the following:
First of all take a course of an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicines for 7 day under the prescription of your Doctor or an ENT Surgeon, who will also examine you for the possibility of Lymph node or some other form of problem like Hyoid or Thyroid cartilage inflammation (Chondritits) causing the pain in the same area which you have nicely described.
If 7-day course does not help completely, you may then for for the blood tests and MRI if your Doctor feels so.
It is very much possible that the lymph node be enlarged but not sufficiently large enough to be palpable Feeling with fingers).
Resurgence is always there , the moment there is an infection in the area of drainage of that particular Lymph node/s.
Just rest does not help all the times, one needs proper treatment of the cause and the effects (enlargement of lymph nodes). So it may or may not have gone by this time.
I hope this answer helps you to understand the points you put forthwith.
Please feel to ask for more if you need to or if you feel there is a gap-of-communication.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
