lymph nodes in neck

[amazon]

I have developed these knots in the back of my neck. I feel it connected but dr after dr keeps blowing it off. The last one said I could feel them better now that Id lost so much weight? What? Was he serious.
Anyone with a similiar experience.

[nancw]

I sometimes get swollen lymph nodes as a reaction to being glutened. I had this before I knew anything about gluten or Celiac, and had my doctor check it out with an ultrasound. Do you notice a pattern of when you can feel them or not?
If you aren't getting the answers you need for these docs, maybe you haven't found the right one (doc) yet. Have you had an ultrasound or do they just palpate them? Swollen nodes are indicative of an autoimmune reaction, and not something to be ignored.
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Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

[krisiw]

Sometimes my lymph nodes used to get swollen and tender if it was cold season and I was a little under the weather or if I got sick. My doctors always just ignored them but I have learned that if you have an infection, your lymph nodes can get swollen from housing the toxins. I haven't noticed a problem with them since going GF, I don't think, so maybe I'm healthier. I don't know.

[amazon]

They have been swollen for several months. No ultrasound they just feel of them and blow me off.

[mrsppmrxky]

I was always told as long as they move when you examine them, then they are not dangerous. Lots of times if you are fighting off an infection of some type, they will swell.

Back when MRP and I had mono, he had a huge lump come up. The dr. started to worry when it was there for about 4 months. Finally as the mono symptoms got further away, the lump started to decrease in size.

If you are uncomfortable with the dr. blowing you off, then you need to address this issue with your dr. Have him explain why the node is big and why he isn't worried. They could also run your blood work to see if you have infection.

Don't know if my first statement is fully correct, but I always have heard that and it gives me comfort while I wait on the dr. to check it out. (otherwise, I would really freak out until I could get an appt. )
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[Dan]

About 15 years ago about the time I think my gluten symptoms started. A doctor told me swollen node are signs of serious infection and that even after the infection is fixed, I will still feel some lumps from the scar tissue. I wonder if I have an extremely sharp dr if he would of figured I was a celic then.

[The Edifying Conscience]

[GF in UK]

Old topic, I realise, but I was searching to see if there's any connection with something I've got going on.

I've had a shoulder problem for a while. At first, it just wouldn't move as far as normal. They called it 'frozen shoulder' and told me that it would just go away on its own eventually. I looked up the symptoms online, and it sort of fit, and yes, no known cause and it does just go away, so I forgot about it.

This past October, though, it started getting much worse, so I went to the doctor. The first doctor said tendinitis, which I've had before, and didn't believe. After a month, I made another appointment for a 2nd (3rd?) opinion. This doctor finally referred me to an orthopaedic doctor, saying he was sure it was a torn rotator cuff (but with no injury?).

I've just had the MRI (11 week waiting list -- have to love the NHS!), and there are 2 really big lymph nodes interfering with movement. I have to have surgery now. Hopefully they'll get those out of the way and I'll be able to do normal things with my arm again! VERY inconvenient (try getting dressed with an arm that won't go up, or across the body, etc! )

No idea if there is a connection between coeliac and lymph node problems, or not. Will have to do some Googling if no one else knows anything about it?

Sorry to ramble!

[nancw]

Hey, rambling's ok here! I am having continuing problems with lymph nodes hurting all over my body. I am either reacting to food and/or the general anesthesia I had a couple of weeks ago has overloaded my lymph system. I've read a lot about lymph lately and I conclude that these are the main causes of lymph issues for me:
food reaction of known or unknown origin
fat and protein heavy diet
not exercising daily
infection
combination of above factors.

That stinks about your shoulder. Once a node gets irritated it tends to stay that way unless the source of irritation (in your case probably just simple movement) is removed.

The lymph system is fascinating and IMO everyone should learn a little about it.
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Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

[mrsppmrxky]

Well, my lymph nodes are all flared up. I go on Thursday to see if my mono has come back. (sleeping again 24/7 almost.)

That is strange about the lymph node freezing your arm movement. They will do a biopsy when they remove them won't they? I always like to play things on the safe side.
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[GF in UK]

Yes, it's odd -- just getting big and in the way, I guess? I'm not even aware of it (can't see it or feel it). Or is it pressing on something? I don't get it, really.

Yes, they'll biopsy. They want me in this week (by Friday), but I'd rather wait if I can. One, right now Norovirus (vomiting virus) has 100,000 new 'victims' a week, and the worst of them are in 'there' (hence my relucutance!) and also, they have rampant MRSA there, so I really don't want to go near the place!

(Just bought private insurance, which would mean going to a private hospital, but this is pre-existing, so it won't cover it for 2 years. Too long to wait! )

[amazon]

Sorry I've been away for awhile. My knots or lymph gland in my neck started out with three. One on each side where my neck meets my shoulder and one on the left side halfway up my neck. Now there is a knot at the base of my skull. I admit my gf diet isn't working very well so if it's a reaction to food I guess thats why it's worse. I have alot of pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulders and under my shoulder blades. Not sure if there are glands there or not.
The last Dr assured me he didn't think it was cancer becuase with cancer they get really big really quickly.

UK - i'm curious how you feel about your healthcare system. My husband and I are drowning in medical bills and I have decided we can no longer afford to go to the Dr. I'm not even sure y we pay the $70 a week for insurance. We have a $1500 deductible and are responsible for 20%. Dosn't sound like much but in one year I racked up 40,000 grand worth of medical debt. So who's system is better ours or yours?
This is a debate that is imporotant to me when voting for our next president. I feel responsible for all my family is currently doing without.

[Luv2Dance]

Hello. I'm curious if you ever found out what was causing these knots? I have been overly exhausted, sleeping a lot, with many other symptoms for the past 2 1/2 months. I thought it was just because I hadn't been 100% gluten free, and that's when I found this forum.

But the exhaustion is getting worst, the muscle pain and cramps in my neck and shoulders is so unbearable that sometimes I cry. Did anyone ever figure out what this was? Or what to do about it? I had thought the pain was from accidents years ago that flaired up, and the exhaustion and such were unrelated. Seeing these posts, I think its related. Help?

[Fifi]

I have these same symptoms. If We do have swollen lymph nodes and it is because of CD and we have been gf. What can they do about it???

[Luv2Dance]

I have no idea. However, I may currently have mono. I just spoke with a friend, and she said when she had mono, she had the knots like this. Up her kneck, and at the base of her skull. I'm thinking maybe that's what mine are from. But I don't know. And when I read about the pains under the shoulder blades, I got curious. I have that pretty regularly and thought it was from the accident. When I saw it here on the forum, I got curious of it was related to Celiac.
Do you have other symptoms related to mono? Could it be that?