Swollen lymph nodes

[z_bell]

Hello,

Here is my question.  In Aug, my general doc said that it felt like my left node was a little swollen in my neck but she didn't seem to worry about it so I basically forgot.  Then sometime in November I noticed them again.  I thought it was related to the camp fire we were sitting in front of so I brushed it off.  After a few weeks I started feeling bad and I was having post nasal and ear congestion.  I went to a doc and she said it was congestion and gave me mucus meds.  Then I went somewhere else and she said I had strep and gave me 10 days of antibiotics.  I took those but my nodes didn't go down.  Those meds were over around Dec 10th.  

Last week I went to an Allergy/Sinus doctor that did a CT scan and allergy testing.  The results came back that I had a small amount of infection in one of my sinus cavities.  He said he wanted to put me on 3 weeks of antibiotics.  He didn't seem very concerned about the lymph nodes since they aren't fixed, tend to move and not huge; one is about 1.5 cm.  

I told him I wanted a 2nd opinion so I went to another doctor the next day.  He said that he would recommend that I take 3 weeks of antibiotics and that he didn't think my lymph nodes were related to cancer.  He said they should decrease within the 3 weeks.  The thing is that it has been a week and they are still the same size.  Here are my questions:

1)  Since Lymphoma only really has one symptom, can someone have it without having fixed, rubbery nodes?  Is there a true way that lymphoma related lymph nodes feel?

2)  Do you see a lot of people whose nodes do not return to normal size?

3)  Since I'm worried should I go ahead and get a biopsy?  Neither of the doctors are in a real rush but I just want to make sure.  I'm tired of worrying.


Thanks!

[alisha30]

I have same problem and went through that series of questions with dr."s.. had antbiotics for ten days,sinus,post nasal drip etc...I cant believe some is in the same boat as me.I am looking to go to specialist to get to the bottom of this anxiety.I cant stand it so I know what your going through..I tried the neti pot,allegra,decongestants,claritin,prednisone,antibiotic for 10 days,mucinex,etc........ nothing made the swollen go down dr's aren't worried they think its just clogged due to my allergie or post nasal.Its a joke with these docters sometimes they keep people in suspense and cause anxiety.now they think its allergy related which I hope, because that can be fixed.scary situation

[z_bell]

Yes, the anxiety kills me.  I've been praying my heart out about it.  I don't think it is something more serious but I HAVE to make sure.  If it is something worse then I want to know asap.  I'm talking with the doctor today so hopefully he can help me decide on what I need to do.  I'll pray that you figure out your issue also.


Christy