So I was doing fine the past week or so until I felt two small nodes on my neck. They are probably 1 cm each (one behind my ear and one a halfway down my neck). Both of these nodes are on the left side. This has sparked my fear of esophageal cancer again, thinking I may have it and it may have spread to my lymph nodes in my neck. I did experience weight loss a while ago but I've been gaining back some weight recently so I'm not sure what's happening. I'm losing my mind over this. I've been to the doctor's multiple times and my parents are against the idea of me going again as I've already been. My GI recommended an endoscopy along with the chest x-ray I had but said it was up to me. My parents believe its too invasive and unnecessary as "I am perfectly fine." I don't know how to go about all of this as it's really interfering with my school and daily life.
Two (or maybe more) swollen lymph nodes??
- Thread starter PaNaRaH
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matisworried
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i think it's really important for you to stop checking your lymph nodes. you are not a doctor. you don't know what to look for or what an actual concerning lymph node would feel like. you've read some information on the internet and now you know just enough to freak yourself out. and since we're talking about the internet, you really need to stop researching your concerns if that's something you're doing. all it will do is increase your anxiety. it will only make things worse for you.
while you don't mention your age, the fact that your parents have a say in your medical care says you're under 18. the chances of someone your age having esophageal cancer are miniscule. you're probably more likely to get struck by lightning. also, your "weight loss" is a non-issue. you've been gaining it back. if your weight loss was due to disease, you'd continue to lose and you'd do so rapidly. the fact that a gastroenterologist left testing up to you indicates they were only willing to order those tests to calm your anxiety. that would also explain why your parents aren't interested in proceeding. as a parent, as a professional that works closely with doctors and medical providers and as a 30+ year health anxiety sufferer, if your doc or your folks had even the slightest concern something was wrong, there would be ZERO hesitation getting those tests done.
while you don't mention your age, the fact that your parents have a say in your medical care says you're under 18. the chances of someone your age having esophageal cancer are miniscule. you're probably more likely to get struck by lightning. also, your "weight loss" is a non-issue. you've been gaining it back. if your weight loss was due to disease, you'd continue to lose and you'd do so rapidly. the fact that a gastroenterologist left testing up to you indicates they were only willing to order those tests to calm your anxiety. that would also explain why your parents aren't interested in proceeding. as a parent, as a professional that works closely with doctors and medical providers and as a 30+ year health anxiety sufferer, if your doc or your folks had even the slightest concern something was wrong, there would be ZERO hesitation getting those tests done.