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Enlarged lymph nodes/ trouble breathing

Hey, I am a 20 year old female.  I have had an enlarged non-tender lymph node in my neck for about 3 1/2 years.  I can not tell whether it is getting bigger or not.  Maybe just a little.  In december I also noticed an enlarged area right below my clavicle near the sternum.  It was non-tender.  I don't remember any injuries to the area.  I went to the doctor in december about the area and he ran an x-ray on it and said it was fine. It may be getting just a tad bigger too. I also had him feel the lymph node in my neck and he just said, "It's nothing to worry about."   He didn't run any test or anything.   I have also been having some trouble breathing. It started a while back but has gotten worse.  However, I have also gained about 60-70 lbs in the last 2 years.  I was just wondering if the trouble breathing could be due to the enlarged lymph nodes or if it was due to the weight gain.  
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Avatar universal
Hi.
Thanks for the update.
I agree with your decision to go back to your doctor for further evaluation.  As I’ve mentioned in my previous post, the shortness of breath could be due to a heart problem.  An electrocardiogram (ECG) or a 2D echocardiogram may be needed in order to find out if there is indeed a heart problem or not.  
I would also suggest consult with a psychiatrist for possible advice on proper eating habits.  
God bless.
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Avatar universal
Sorry, I just forgot to add that I had a 4 1/2 year h/o anorexia between 8th grade and graduating high school.  I then turned to bulimia for about 1 1/2 years.  I'm not sure if this would affect it or not.  
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your advice.  I have wondered about the heart problem too. I am a family h/o heart problems (My dad's grandmother, mother, brother).  My pulse rate has also been very high lately.  It stays between 100-110 even when resting.  My blood pressure was also increased last time I went to the doctor- 135/85 (up from 80/45 about 3 years ago).   When I am exercising my pulse goes up to around 180.  I am going to the doctor tomorrow so I will ask him about it too.  Tthanks so much.  
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Avatar universal
Hi.
I understand your concern.
The lymph nodes could be the result of a previous infection.  That’s why it has been there for about three and a half years already.  Please continue to observe if there will be changes in the lymph nodes.
As for the shortness of breath you are experiencing, I agree with you that it could be secondary to your weight gain.  However, there is still a need to undergo further evaluation to rule-out other possible causes of the shortness of breath.  Perhaps an ECG could be done to rule-out possible heart problem.
I believe you need to go back to your doctor for further evaluation.
Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Just wanted to add that I am not having night sweats, fever, or itching.  And that when I went to the doctor about the enlarged lymph node under my clavicle before he ran the x-ray he said it could possbily just be a prominence of the collarbone.  It does make a palpable clicking feeling we I raise and lower my arm.  After the x-ray he didn't say whether or not it was a lymph node or a prominence of the bone.  He just said, "everything looks fine." Maybe I'm just a hypochondriac about it.  I was just wondering b/c of the shortness of breath. I did go to the doctor about 4 weeks ago about the shortness of breath.  He said it was probably from anxiety from school however he did not run any test whatsoever.  He prescribed me an anti-anxiety medication and an inhaler.  However, I haven't really noticed a difference in the trouble breathing since the anti-anxiety medication.  The inhaler helps somewhat but I still have a lot of trouble breathing. 
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