[Lymph Nodes]... Does anyone know?

what could cause you to have an ongoing enlarged lymph node (posterier cervical, I believe) on each side of your neck? I have one on each side of my neck, it's not the normal kind that show up when I have a cold. These don't hurt at all, very firm (rubbery might be a good description), and somewhat fixed. I noticed them almost 2 years ago. My doctor is aware of them and has run a lot of different blood test, etc. He says I'm high-normal on a lot of things but still in the normal range. He always checks them each time I go in and they don't appear to be getting larger. He's on wait and watch mode but did give me the option to have them biopsied. I can't stand the thought of a needle in my neck if they mean nothing but then again, from what I've read this isn't normal and I don't want to miss anything that would be okay if caught early. I know different conditions effect different nodes, do you know what could case these nodes to be enlarged? (He's stated they are not lipomas.)

(In case it matters, they are very small. Larger than a pea, but not much; maybe the size of my pinky fingernail.)

Hi, Nina. Well, I got bored, so here goes my answer, haha. No, I'm glad to answer your question for you. Thanks for being proactive about your health. We need more like you, Nina.

To start off, I would like to say that I can't contradict your doctor's recommendations(prof. courtesy, if you will).

I would not be able to get a very accurate picture here online. The high normal values are of interest, but I am unaware of what bloodwork was done, and values, etc.

Think of your situation in this way. There are few billion of us on this third rock from the sun. Now, having said that... Not one of us has absolutely similar physiology. That's a lot of differences. There you can see then, what medicine really is. It's more of a comparison of contrasting and simliar qualities of statistical data on us humans. Wow. Hold on. I'm just trying to give you a picture of how your body, though within "high-normal, or normal" ranges, might make you absolutely healthy. I mean, out of the billions of us, not one is like you. Your are special and unique in most every way.

Here is how I would like to pose the question to you. When you were pregnant you probably had the opportunity to have the fluids around your baby's sack checked via large needle, which is similar to what a physician would do upon biopsy for yourself.
There are risks to the procedures, and benefits. However, if you would allow me to interject personal opinion(I apologize, not very professional, eh?), if you are functioning without any other signs or symptoms here is what I would do if it were me. I would return to the physician every 6 - 12 months for physical examination. Sounds like you've already been to the physician a few times, so you're probably past that phase of what I would do. Thereafter, unless there is some functional problem with your body, I would just go to the physician for the yearly. That way the nodes can be monitored. You could probably take 500 mg. of vitamin C up to 4 times a day, in addition to a "one a day" vitamin. If the 4 pills of vit. c cause stomach irritation or related issues, lower the dose to 500 mg twice daily.

In conclusion, there are two things that I can say about you. First, you're beautiful(for being mother of beautiful children, and a faithful wife to those brave soldiers watching over us, and so much more). Secondly, I believe that these swelling nodes are of some concern, as it relates to your own self-image of what you believe your health and body should be like. If you want the verification of a biopsy, than go for it. However, there is from the EXTREMELY LIMITED and INCOMPLETE information I have, not a real reason to be alarmed.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of an appointment with your private physician.

God Bless,
Dr. D.

My advice to you is to have them biopsied NOW! Lymphoma and cancer of the lymph nodes is one of the deadliest cancers when not detected early, but is VERY treatable when caught in stage one. Better safe than sorry. And you can close your eyes.

I agree, have them biopsied. yes there will be a little pain, but it will be worth it to know for sure. Cancer is no joke...I have had 5 survivors in my family....so go get checked out!!

Cancer is caused by poor nutrition (including oxygen) and stressors. Stressors can be environmental, like heavy metals, food additives or pollution, or emotional or job stress.
Our bodies have 60 trillion--yes, trillion--cells, and there are always some mutating into cancer cells, but a healthy immune system kills them before they have a chance to get a foothold in the body.
It takes a LONG time, usually, or an exrtaordinary amount of stressors, to degrade the immune system to the point where it won't do its job, but once cancer has formed, it can spread rapidly.

THIS IS IMPORTANT! There are ways to BEAT cancer that the AMA is keeping from the American public, that are being used in Europe and around the world. Here is some information that is getting hard to find--"The Cure for All Cancers", ISBN 0963632825; "A Cancer Therapy", ISBN 0882681052; "Hydrogen Peroxide--Medical Miracle", ISBN 1885236077; "The Natural Cure for Cancer--Germanium", ISBN 0533071410; and "Killing Cancer", ISBN 0705000966.

Type 'used books' into your browser and find a good site, then type in the ISBN numbers and get some great help cheap.

I know of people whose cancer has 'spontaneously remitted' (WENT AWAY for no known reason) after they went on a program of herbs and nutrition.

The American Medical Association and the pharmaceutical companies control medical law in this country, and they are in it for the money, and don't care about individuals. You and your family must look out for yourselves to stand a chance of being healthy.
This is not a joke. Look into it. Best of luck