Enlarged nodes -- Dr not worried, but I am!

[Blueathena]

At the end of October I found an enlarged lymph node in my groin. At the time the area was sore, but I also strained my inner thight muscle. In time the muscle healed but the lump was still there and growing in size. Skin was never tender or red, and lump was non painful. I got a cold in November, but I didn't think a node would swell up more than a month before I got sick.

Finally in Jan went to the Dr, who did a palpatation of the node and recommended an utrasound to see if it was a cyst or infection, since he seemed to have ruled out cancer automatically. The utrasound tech told me that it wasn't a cyst, and (after forwever) I found that the radiologist's report is that I have . . . enlarged lymph nodes in my groin, largest being 2.9 cm. Called my primary care doc, was told to follow up in a while.

I'm not satisfied by this. I am usually not an "internet doctor" and don't look up symptoms, but around the same time that I found the lump I went through a month period of intense itching with no hives or rash, didn't change my detergent or soap, etc. I went to my OB/GYN twice because I was shredding up my skin, esp. my vulva with my itching and I was having stomach pain. No medical reason for the itching was found. Also, at the same time I found the lump I started falling asleep all the time, like, could not stay awake. I thought this was due to day-light savings times.

No real night sweats that I can tell besides 3 or 4 times, but I may have just had the heat up too high. No weight loss, but maybe due to the fact that I quit smoking (YAY!!) and ate all of the time.

I won't ask "should I be worried," because I'm already upset. What I would like to know is "Should I be pushing my doctor to do more?" No blood tests have been ordered, no biposy, no antibiotics, nada.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

Congrats on quitting smoking!

More than 3 months of enlarged lymph nodes is concerning.  The fatigue is concerning for infectious mononucleosis.

Get a second opinion, get a CBC, EBV panel.  Ask for a referral to a surgeon to get a biopsy.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

congrats on finding a doc to take you seriously.  let us know how the path report comes back.  i'm praying it's normal.

[Blueathena]

Dr. Choi,
Thank you for your response! I am very proud about qutting smoking -- Chantrix, it works WONDERS! Both my husband and I quit with no problems.

I had mono off and on for two years in college (about 6 years ago) but my tonsils were removed and I never had another problem. This fatigue doesn't feel like what I had with mono.

But the end result is that I saw a doctor yesterday who is more aggresive and we agreed, to be safe, to remove it. So in two weeks I'm just having the node removed and will wait on the pathology reports!

Thank you again!