Swollen lymph nodes

[jacobs]

Didn't know where to put this, so I thought I would try here.

I have had swollen lymph nodes since 2004 in my neck (roughly 8 I can feel). I had thyroid cancer in 1996, and have been on meds to control this ever since. My question is can I suddenly get lymph nodes in 2004 after having this problem, 8 years later? I also get them checked yearly for cancer, and there has not been any found. Also, I have mild gum disease and persistant facial acne; can these also be contributing factors? I am worried because I have had many sexual exposures over the last few years, and, while they were protected (except for oral; stupid, I know), I worry they could be hiv related as well. So can my preexisting conditions cause neck lymph nodes that d not go away? Also, I have no nodes under my arm or in my groin (that I can feel).

Thank you very much.

[Minkusis84]

I'd think if you had other symptoms with the lymph nodes, like night sweats, unintended weight loss, pale skin, fatigue, petechia, bleeding in gums/rectum and elsewhere maybe, then it would be more worrisome... but keep on top of it. There's no point in worrying about dying all your life when one day we ALL are going to die anyways... You've got to just try to move on and find things you can enjoy to get your mind off it. Worrying has never given joy or happiness to anyone... it only robs you of your joy today, and every day. But keep a lookout if you start to get symptoms. Some people have written, that they've had cancer, but it didn't spread to the lymph nodes yet... so when they got biopsies of the nodes, they didn't come back as cancer. Only way to be sure is to do a PET scan, and maybe even a bone marrow biopsy.

[Barb135]

You've attached your comments to a very old post and the previous posters are no longer active on the forum.  It's very unlikely they will respond.  

[TonnaB]

   I don't know much about HIV since it isn't as scary to me as cancer. But I do know it can cause constantly swollen nodes.
  There's a lot of forums on here that don't get much answers. You just have to keep trying and read the old posts.
  I know teeth can cause swollen glands. I work for a dr and she said anything from the shoulders up can cause the glands to swell. I have also heard that sometimes they never go back down.
  I'm sure you are okay. Gland issues are so scary because we always think the worst. But all I can tell you is ask the dr next time you go.
Also, I know some thyroid conditions like hashi's can cause swollen neck glands. There are so many things. But most are nothing major.

[jacobs]

Just wondering:

I know this is not an hiv forum, but any idea as to whether nodes usually go away with hiv, or do they stay indefinitely?

Also, could the gum/teeth problems, as well as the pre-existing thyroid condition cause these neck lymph nodes that do not go away?

Sorry for posting these question in the inappropriate forum; I did try the hiv forum, and no one responded, so I am seeing if anyone here may know.

I appologize if I have been wrong in doing this.

[TonnaB]

I know someone who has swollen nodes in his neck and collarbone area and they have been that way for a couple of years. He has had them biopsied a few times and they are pretty large. But they always come back benign. I know it's scary, but sometimes they can't give you any answers. I guess nodes have their own minds. I had one swollen for a long time in my neck and it was benign. I am still scared something was missed, but I suppose you have to trust what they tell you. And with you having had ThyCa, I'm positive you would be extra monitered.