Resolved question:
I am a 33 year old male. I have a cervical lymph node about the size of a small pea. It is not painful to touch. It has been this way (swollen?) for probably close to two years. I had my doctor feel it and he said he's not worried about it. I had a cbc test done over the summer which was normal and another cbc done during december which was also normal. I continue to worry and monitor it daily, sometimes it causes me great stress as I feel it may be a beginnings of cancer. I had basic bloodwork done which my Dr. said my labs look really good, everything normal. Since I am a smoker, I also had 2 chest x-rays which where also normal. More symptoms I am having are a strange "brainfreeze" type of feeling when I take a deep breath on the right side of my face and upper right part of my chest near the collar bone. Also, in the morning when I wake up and stand Itake a deep breath there is a kind of "stretching" sensation in my lungs that is not painful. Told my Doc this which is why we did a chest x-ray. There is also a 'click' in my throat when I swallow, not painful or hard to swallow, but I can feel it just above my adam's apple area. My Doc said it isn't worrisome and put me on Prilosec, thinking it may help since I often times have heartburn. I have just bought nicotine patches tonight and plan on starting them tomorrow, I only smoke between 3 and 7 cigarettes per day, but have been smoking since I was 17 and used to smoke a pack sometimes 2 packs per day. I am wondering if there are any bad health side effects from the patch? Overall, I feel pretty good, I run between 3.5 and 7 miles everyday and I typically run 1 mile in 7 1/2 minutes without any breathing problems, however, after running I usually hack up clear or lightly yellow sputum with flecks of greenish brown matter. I also eat healthy organic foods, lots of fruit and veggies daily. I really want to get my health to an optimum level, but worry about some of the aforementioned symptoms, primarily my lymph node and the lung stretching sensation I get in the morning. Please advise. Thanks!
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello and thankyou for approaching DoctorSpring with your query. The cervical lymphnode that you have is nothing to worry, unless it increases in size, you notice more lymph node swellings, or its red or painful on touch. Your normal CBC reports, rule out any pathology. However do keep a watch on it to notice any changes. The important thing you need to keep in mind is that Lymph nodes are normal glands in the body. They are required for the proper functioning by fighting infection and inflammation. So it is normal for them to get enlarged, Unless thee is a suspicious pattern (which can be determined by your Doctor) there is no reason to worry . The sure way to know for real what the node is by doing a fine needle biopsy. This can be considered at a later stage if the node persists.
As for the breathing symptoms you are experiencing, will be due to the damage caused to your lungs by smoking. Smoke tends to damage the lung lining as a result of which you notice the sputum which has debris from your lung caused by the smoke. Cigarette smoking also tends to damage the airways and lungs resulting in inflammation which makes it narrows your airways and makes it difficult to breathe in and out. The above two are completely reversible on treatment and quitting smoking. Nicotine patches are found very effective as a therapy to quit smoking and is relatively safe. Few patients experience side effects and need to decrease the dosage accordingly. Avoid using the patch at night as it causes disturbed sleep and vivid dreams. The click on the throat, the sputum production all are non specific signs and you need not be worried about these
I suggest you visit the Medical center and get your 'Pulmonary Funtion Tests' (PFTs) if possible (in view of your long term smoking history). This will help diagnose any obstruction in your airways and can be treated accordingly.
It is really great know that you are exercising properly and taking good care of health. Please do continue this. Consider a Lymph Node biopsy if it persists. Quit smoking as soon as possible and you will be all set for great health.
Wishing you good health, and you can follow up with any further query.
Thankyou