Yes, unfortunately... getting pain in nodes after alcohol is considered to be a sign of lymphoma, especially Hodgkin's. However, that does not absolutely mean that it is lymphoma. Alcohol is a vasodilator, and maybe the vasodilation in that swollen node leads to the pain. On other words, the node has a covering (called the capsule) and when the node gets swollen it stretches that covering and can cause pain.
When was your last CBC and what did it say was low, if anything? Do you bruise easily?
There isn't a reason to jump to the worst conclusion at this point. Remember that your doctor is sending you to an ENT and not to an oncologist. I'd suggest learning as much as possible before your appointment, then you won't waste your limited time in asking simple question because you already have that knowledge. You can use the time for more advanced questions :)
Good luck.
Thanks so much for responding... : ) the nodes in the collerbone area are soft (puffy) and in my neck kinda hard... No pain involved... Have noticed that if I have a glass of wine, the glands under my right side of jaw start aching...
Hi, I'm guessing you know that the nodes around the collarbone can be considered to be sentinel nodes for metastisis from anywhere in the thorax. So a doc would likely always be alert for changes in nodes there. But, the metasticized nodes would also likely be very hard and since you haven't stated such, I'd assume they are not very hard.
Also, nobody has scheduled an immediate biopsy, so that's a great sign, too.
Therefore, I'd suggest an alternate possible diagnosis: some food allergy. That can make nodes swell, plus account for your other symptoms, and you might be super-reactive anyway. That's something you can test for yourself, by eliminating likely suspects and seeing if you get better.
I'd just found out recently that some rare people are even allergic to meat. Imagine that. Good luck.