Lymph node behind ear

[Ggirlangel93]

I really hope someone responds to this. I really need some guidance. Long story short about a month ago my cheek was swollen on the left side. Went to my doctor about it and didn't get answers. A few days later i found a small pea sized lymph node behind my left earlobe. Same area and side as the swollen cheek. Of course freaked out and contacted my doctor. She wasn't concerned. We thought maybe it could be my impacted wisdom tooth on that side acting up. Like maybe my gum was inflamed/infected even though i had no like no gum/tooth pain. Went to the dentist didn't get many explanations or answers. Got put on a 10 day antibiotic and finished it weeks ago. Both the lymph node and cheek swelling is still there. Can't tell if the swelling went down somewhat maybe alittle. I begged my doctor for an ultrasound script two weeks ago for the lymph node behind my ear and she said no. She told me to go see an ENT. Unfortunately i don't have the best insurance and after making tons of calls not one office near me takes my insurance. Fast forward to now. It's been alittle over a month with the cheek swelling and lymph node and i've hit a dead end. I went to an urgent care today to get checked out again (they have given me ultrasound referrals before for other issues) and asked them for an ultrasound referral and they also said no go to an ENT. So now im completely stuck. I've been worrying about this for a month. The doctor today didn't seem concerned with the size/feel of the lymph node but i am. I'm concerned cause it's not going away. I feel frustrated and lost. My own doctor refuses to see me again for this issue and idk what to do. I have to continue to search for an ENT. Even if i get an appointment somewhere it will most likely be weeks/months away. I messaged my doctor today and expressed my frustrations and begged again for an ultrasound. I'm so mad that my doctor and others won't help/treat me. What should i do? Any advice?

 

[Phillies Phan]

It’s such a shame how the US healthcare system is. I lived there many years. In network, out of network. Hundreds of dollars a month for the privilege of having health insurance. Snippy doctors. Long waits.

At this point, if it were me while E.R.s are supposed to be for emergencies, people like yourself are having little other choice. I would go to the ER. I’d explain the craziness you’ve been forced to go through. They typically have bedside ultrasound that can quickly look and at least see if there’s a need to investigate further. I’d further suggest that you go to a known high quality ER. For example, in Toronto I’ve been to a few lousy E.R.s and finally went to Mount Sinai, a renowned hospital. What a difference.

I know that wonderful US coverage you have will likely have a hefty co-pay for this, but they would not let you leave without further care if you needed it. Did any doctor do blood work? If so and it’s normal, that’s a really good sign. The ER will certainly do that.

 

[Ggirlangel93]

It’s such a shame how the US healthcare system is. I lived there many years. In network, out of network. Hundreds of dollars a month for the privilege of having health insurance. Snippy doctors. Long waits.

At this point, if it were me while E.R.s are supposed to be for emergencies, people like yourself are having little other choice. I would go to the ER. I’d explain the craziness you’ve been forced to go through. They typically have bedside ultrasound that can quickly look and at least see if there’s a need to investigate further. I’d further suggest that you go to a known high quality ER. For example, in Toronto I’ve been to a few lousy E.R.s and finally went to Mount Sinai, a renowned hospital. What a difference.

I know that wonderful US coverage you have will likely have a hefty co-pay for this, but they would not let you leave without further care if you needed it. Did any doctor do blood work? If so and it’s normal, that’s a really good sign. The ER will certainly do that.

I've been to the ER a bunch of times this year for all sorts of whacky symptoms. I've also had more blood tests done that i can count. My most recent blood test was less than a month ago. Everything always comes back normal

 

[Seryn]

My son has a slightly swollen lymph nodes behind his left ear. Drs here (UK) said nothing to worry about or cause for concern. He's had it for 5years now and it's not gone or got any bigger or developed into anything else if that's any comfort.

 

[Ckelley116]

In mid-October I had a pea-sized lump suddenly pop up behind my left ear, in the hollow between my earlobe and jaw. It never hurt unless I messed with it, but it was large enough to be visible just by looking. I told myself I’d go to the doctor if it got larger. It never did, and one day last week I went to do my daily check on it and it had gone away completely overnight.

I chalked it up to inflammation from some digging I had been doing on my gums on that side, when it felt like there was a popcorn kernel stuck that I couldn’t get out.

If it’s not getting larger, it’s almost certainly nothing to worry about.

 

[Jonathan123]

It is not just a pity that the US system of health care is so bad, it's a disgrace that the richest nation on Earth can treat it's poorer citizens in this way. In the UK our NHS may not always live up to expectations, but no one would ever be denied care by their GP or a hospital irrespective of their status or income. OK, so tell me to mind my own business, but I can't help being moved by the number of perople from the US who come on here and can't get medication becuse their insurance does not cover it. All the time healthcare is based on profit this will happen. Us humans should take care of each other irrespective of status or income. Disease has no qualifications' and does not recognise the wealthy from the poor.
We do have private health insurance in the UK. but the treatment given is no different to the NHS, just quicker!

 

[Phillies Phan]

It is not just a pity that the US system of health care is so bad, it's a disgrace that the richest nation on Earth can treat it's poorer citizens in this way. In the UK our NHS may not always live up to expectations, but no one would ever be denied care by their GP or a hospital irrespective of their status or income. OK, so tell me to mind my own business, but I can't help being moved by the number of perople from the US who come on here and can't get medication becuse their insurance does not cover it. All the time healthcare is based on profit this will happen. Us humans should take care of each other irrespective of status or income. Disease has no qualifications' and does not recognise the wealthy from the poor.
We do have private health insurance in the UK. but the treatment given is no different to the NHS, just quicker!

Then you get extreme actors like the guy who murdered the CEO of a large health insurance company. Where people in cubicles make decisions on treatment. I saw a redacted letter, it looked real at least, where a cancer doctor wrote a scathing letter to one of these health insurers calling them idiots for refusing to approve strong anti-nausea drugs for a child going thru chemo. And in the eulogy for the murdered CEO he was lauded as being one of those execs who want to keep Americans healthy, and not provide overuse of medical testing. Read into that what you will. I’ll take Canada (or UK, Sweden, Norway, etc) any day.

 

[Hobbit]

So grateful to live in Canada with our universal health care . For all the complaining we really do have it very good . Never denied access to medical care and never pay for it . And NO Mr. TRUMP , WE WILL NEVER BE YOUR 51ST STATE !!

 

[Jonathan123]

The health system in the UK is not free. It IS free at the point of cantact when neded, but everyone pays what is called 'Nationsal Insurance' the amount being calculated asccording to their income. Most Europeon countries have a similar system. I beleive that a nation's first priority should be the health care of it citizens, not based on profit by commercial companies. Not being able to get adequate health care when needed becuse your insurance has run out is appalling. I know you can still go to the ER room, but it's not the same as seeing your own doctor. As I understnd it that will never change under Trump.

 

[MARCC]

A number of years ago I felt a small lump near my Parotid gland on the leftside. I got concerned and went to my concierge internal medicine physician. He ordered an ultrasound of my neck. The ultrasound showed an enlarged benign lymph node. It took around 3 months to go away.

 

[kme3n7]

I have two lymph nodes in my neck that have been there for years. One is really big, but soft and squishy. Doctor felt it when I was 18 (I'm 34 now) and said no clue why it's so big but it's definitely benign. Have another on the back of my neck behind the ear like yours that's much more firm. I had it checked in college (back before I had much health anxiety) and the doc ordered a blood test that was clear and just said to monitor it. Never got any bigger and I'm still here. It never went away...still there, but assume it would have killed me by now if it was sinister. Hope this helps