What do you do when this happens? I want to hear everyones opinion....
By eaforeman6
@eaforeman6 (8979)
United States
April 11, 2007 5:41am CST
I had a knot come up in my lynmphnoid gland , right at the corner of the jaw and right under the ear. It turned hard as a rock. I have had three rounds of antibiotics and my doctor says its just a gland and it will clear up. Its not clearing up, its not going down in size either. He says that I need to wait for six weeks and come back in. They have taken blood but have not called me with the results.
My family says that they are concerned because it is hard as a rock and they are worried it is a cist or tumor and they think that it should be checked closer.
My doctor says that he dosent think that its any kind of cancer, but he hasnt had any x rays or mris done, so basicly hes guessing.
The dilema is, do I listen to my doctor and wait the 6 weeks, or do I change doctors and seek another more aggressive doctor? I have had sulpher meds and antibiotics and pain killers because it has been very painful. What would you do now?
6 people like this
12 responses
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
11 Apr 07
I am not a Dr or a nurse and do not claim to be but the blood test should have shown if it was an imfection. Usually glands swell from infections. Call the Dr's office and ask what the results are. Dont let them say "they were ok" make sure you get the white cell number count and any other number counts to the tests. You can then look the count up online and see just how normal it is. Sometimes certain antibodics do not work and they have to change to another kind. Maybe this is the case. Make an appointment with the Dr if you have questions and write your questions down, dont leave his office till you are comfortable with what he has told you. If you think you need more test, insist on it. It is your body and your health, nobody knows your body better than you do. Not even the Dr.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
11 Apr 07
There is a nurse on mylot her name is Crazynurse. Are you a friend of hers?
2 people like this
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
11 Apr 07
hi eaforeman6.
I have the same thing. I've had it since I was a teenager. I'm now 57. Sometimes it swells up some but it never completely goes away. I've been to several doctors, even had an MRI. They found nothing. Said the same, it's just a swollen gland. It use to concern me, but I've lived with it now for over 40 years and it never really bothers me anymore. It's not like a huge lump or anything that makes me look disfigures. Most people don't even notice it.
Sometimes it a little sore, but usually when I've eaten something odd or have a sore throat.
If you feel uncomfortable about it, check out another doctor. Get a second opinion. Most likely, the doctor is right. It might be just a swollen gland.
Something you are eating or drinking is most likely making you allergic or you are having a reaction to something else. Check it out and make yourself feel better.
2 people like this
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
11 Apr 07
the big problem is that the pain level was getting ridiculous. I had swelling going down the left side of my neck and it did get to the point where i needed the pain meds. When I come off the antibiotics, it seems to flair back up , pain wise. The size of this is in diameter like that of a golf ball. you cannt tell by looking at it but you can feel it when you touch it.
@clownfish (3272)
• United States
12 Apr 07
Hi! I know what I would do if that were me. I would leave skidmarks on the rug getting out of that place and going to a specialist who will check it out properly. A doctor should know better than to make something like that wait. I literally would not wait any longer to find out what it is.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
11 Apr 07
You didn't say how long you had this knot I am very surprised he did not take a biopsy as it could be a multitude of different problems. If I was nervouse about waiting for six weeks then I would certainly see an endocrinist.
2 people like this
@ironstruck (2298)
• Canada
11 Apr 07
When it is something that even keeps your doctor guessing, it is a wise idea to get a second opinion. It is your right and even doctors are usually ok with it..
Often I found medications and suggestions online that I have passed on to my family doctor and we have tried some of them for different things?
Also, you may be able to do a search on line for your own problem and see that other doctors have to say.
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
11 Apr 07
well my family is worried that if this were some type of cancer that i am loosing valuable time that we may not have to play with.He wanted to wait at least 6 more weeks before he did a biopsey. I dont know if I should wait that 6 weeks.
1 person likes this
@startwins0814 (82)
• Philippines
11 Apr 07
If you are not really comfortable with what your doctor is saying about this, then its time to get second opinion.. sometimes we tought it is as complicated as we think but maybe its not really a big problem, also think positive and be thankful of your first doctors opinion remains true, at least you are really out of harms way.
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
12 Apr 07
It wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion. It would make you feel better anyway and maybe they know a better way to treat it if it is just a swollen gland.
1 person likes this
@123456_ (1052)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
if your doctor cannot give you the enough assurance that it is not a carcinoma. i guess, you should consult other health prof for a 2nd opinion. as a health endeavor, it is their responsibility to listen and do something most specially when verbal concerns arises. goodluck!
@pramodthakur (2365)
• India
11 Apr 07
Hey it is very easy to get rid of this problem, you know. By doing pranayama any type of knot can be eliminated without any operation or medicines. If you are really interested to experience this miracle, please visit this site to know about pranamaya. It is systematic breathing exercise. Name of the site is www.divyayoga.com. You will find there Kapalbhati and Anulom Vilom Pranayama which is more effective for knot removing without any medicine. I know you will not believe it, but it is true. First you try it and comment later.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
12 Apr 07
For a start, I would ring the Doctor who took the blood test & ask for the results. Depending on what the results are, and how your Doctor responds, you can then decide whether or not to seek a second opinion from another Doctor.
If concerned, or in any doubt, you have every right to get another opinion.
Mostly probably your Doctor is correct, and it is a swollen gland, but you need confirmation.
Good Luck and keep us informed.
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
11 Apr 07
Several months ago. I had a small lump behind my left ear lobe. It wasn't very big and didn't cause any pain. It lasted for about 3 or 4 weeks before it disappeared. I have had no trouble since. I expect it might have been a lymphnoid, or it could have even been a forming pimple. My skin can get oily and agitated if I rub it. I didn't go to the doctor since it didn't seem to be growing or causing any problems.
I wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion. If it is causing pain, I would probably get another opinion. I doubt it is cancer or anything to get overly worried about. Maybe you could wait for the blood tests and then decide what to do next. I hope you will be ok.
1 person likes this
@SheliaLee (2736)
• United States
12 Apr 07
I think you should get a second opinion. Doctors do not need to guess at things like this. Since the treatment he has tried so far hasn't worked and since he hasn't done any x-rays or MRIs I would definitely see someone else. You don't want it to turn into something dangerous.
1 person likes this
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I have found out now that by going to an oral surgeon that I have a wisdom tooth is going to have to come out. If I had not gone to this oral surgeon then I would still be looking in the wrong place for answers. He said he thinks this may be the source of my problems but we wont know for sure untill we get it out.
