Oh my goodness, what next? Just when I think things are going good boom, something else happens.
I spent 3 hours in the urgent care this morning and I still don't know anything. The Dr said " I just don't know, It worries me". Ah, that's why I was there. He ended up giving me an antibiotic, for what I don't know. He said something will either develope or it will go away. I am still confused.
He didn't think it was a cist or anykind of an infection because it isn't red. It is swollen to the size of a 50 cent piece. It is also effecting my cheek area. He thinks it is effecting a nerve.
I have a Dr apt with my GP on Wed so he thought that was great so she could follow up and do tests if it doesn't go away. It is sooo sore. I can't lay on that side.
It started on Thurs evening. Does anyone know what this could be?
help!
love and prayers, harlin
Oh Harlin, I have no clue. If it gets larger or more painful before you see the doctor go back to the ER. Things that appear quickly are often trouble. Take care of yourself and keep and eye or three on it.
Believe it or not, there are lymph nodes on the head. Not sure if this is what you have, but I had a similar swelling last year (several around the same area). After being bounced around many doctors (including a surgeon) trying to figure out why the lymph nodes would be swelling there, we tried a course of antibiotics...it cleared them up.
I was going to say the same thing as Anita. We have lymph nodes on our head and all around the base of our skull and under and around the ears
My first bet is that it is indeed an infection in a lymph node or possibly a salivary gland. The pictures of the glands will show where they all lie, but everyone is different and the landscape of our face and head in relation to the glands and lymph nodes can be different.
Did the doc say to put heat or cold on this area??? Heat will bring increased blood flow and bring the antibiotic to the area. Cold will take swelling down---usually. I am not advising, I am just wondering about this. Hard to know what to do when you aren't sure. If it gets better in 48 hours my guess is that the antibiotic is working. And that is only a guess. Irish ;D
I think Irish is right about the ice, I use it to reduce the swelling because swelling interferes with circulation. It won't be able to heal well with reduced blood flow to the area. After the swelling goes down, they often open up and drain of their own accord. But allow this to happen naturally. If you try to force it by squeezing, it can damage healthy tissue and become a painful ulcer. Put a fresh bandage on and dab on some peroxide a few times a day to debride. (remove dead cells that can bacterial can feed on). If it's fairly big in size, it can seep a small amount of fluid daily, which tapers off over a weeks time. After that is over, it will heal. Sorry it sounds so gross, it's such a fun disease. :P
My daughter had this happen to her! It was a lymph node that was swollen, she had a small sore on the top of her head! The doctor just told us to keep an eye on the sore spot and if it got worse to bring her back in. We used neosporin on the sore and within a few days the swelling in her lymph node went down. Just a sign that our bodies are doing what they are supposed to!
Hoping that your swollen spot is as easily fixed as my daughters!
Harlin, How are you doing?
Joe
About the same. I think it is effecting my ear, as it is hurting tonight.
The swollen area doesn't have a head on it.
There are actually 2 swollen areas, one is right above my ear and is about quartersize. The
Other one is above it and is about 50 cent size.
They both really hurt and spreads out. Have a head
Ache and tingly area toward my cheek. I am
Calling my GP tomorrow to see if she will see me.
If not I will call my Rheumy.
It is really scaring my. I have had 3 antibiotic pills so
Far and it is no better.
Will let you know tomorrow what I find out
Thanks, harlin
Lymph nodes swellings don't have a head. So it sounds more like lymph nodes...especially if there is more then one. Hopefully the antibiotic will help, but it will take a few days, not just a few pills.
BTW, the pain/tingling can be from swelling putting pressure on the nerves in the scalp....called occipital neuralgia. I too had this with my swellings similar to yours, and it can be quite bothersome. If it is the lymph nodes then the pain will subside after the swelling goes down...although it took a couple weeks for the nerves to settle down completely.
Sending some positive energy your way and hoping you start to feel better soon.
Thanks so much Anita
I will let you know tomorrow what I find out
Harlin
A warm water and Epsom salt compress may help. I hope you get better soon.
Harlin, please keep us in the loop!
Many positive vibes your way.
Well, I still don't know anything. My pcp said
To continue with the antibiotics and she would
See me on Wed. I called the Rheumy and the
Nurse said she would call me back. No word.
I guess I'll have to wait till tomorrow. It is no
Better except that it is a little less painful.
Don't mind telling you all that I am scared. You see
My dad died of brain cancer.
Thanks for listening will keep you posted
Harlin
I do not think it is brain cancer. Did you try the warm Epsom salt compress?
Brain cancer would probably not appear as a knot, but rather as a seizure. But I understand the fear! My (birth) father died of stomach cancer at age 45 and every bellyache I get makes me a wreck!
Do you think you could have bonked yourself on the noggin and not have known it? I get bruises all over the place and never can remember smacking into anything.
I understand your fear. I was scared when it happened to me and no one (even several doctors) seemed to know what it was. I had no idea there are lymph nodes on the head, but this is how I found out. It took about 5 days of the antibiotic before I had a noticeable difference...then a few weeks before the nerve (occipital neurolgia) subsided totally.
You will probably never know what caused the lymph nodes to react. Mine has never happened again...thankfully.
I feel confident that you'll be able to tell us in a couple days that it's improving.
Joe
I am doing it tonight. Still no better. I guess I'll k ow tomorrow. I am trying the Epsom salts now
Thanks so much!
Anita
Thanks, I sure hope this is what it is. So far antibiotic is not helpIng
I looked up o. Internet and could not find anywhere that said lymph nodes on side of head
Did yours hurt when touched? Gives me a head a he when I touch it
I'll let you all know after dr apt at 10:30 tomorrow
Blessings, harlin
Back from the Dr. Still don't know what is going on. She had no
Clue. Had never heard of this befor. Told me to keep taking
Anitbiotics and (as Joe said) warm compresses and wait and see.
I went to Chiropractor afterwards and he was very concerned
Said it could be anterior something? I forget. He said if I get a
Sharp pain go to Er. I thing I am going to live. :)
Thanks everyone for helping me thru this
Love you harlin
Yea, I had several docs freak out too. One sent me to a surgeon...I was a wreck. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and hope it improves. Please keep us posted.
Hi Harlin...sorry about your knot. I'm just now seeing your post. I was in your area today at the Rheumy...She is working with my Gi doc. and I guess I'll be starting Remicade Infusions next week...the Crohns has been giving me a hard time.
Let me know how you are.
Kelly
I was probable upstairs at the same time!
My GP is in the same building. I was there
At 10:00 - about 11:00
I am sorry you are having such a hard time.
What are we gonna do- I am so sick of feeling bad.
My GP thinks I am doing good! Oh how I wish
The New med Horizant makes me feel alot better. I guess this is as
Good as it gets.
Did she put you on Remicaid for the crohn's?
Love and prayers, harlin
I had these on both of the tips of my ears by the temple.. dr's told me they were cycst, not one dr would remove them n they were gettin bigger. So I was desparate n probably stupid. But I took ice n a needle box cutter steralised n cut it open. The stuff that come out was green n smelled awful. They both went away. But I did have to keep neosporin on it I didn't kn nothin about lynodes bin around that area but I did have the ear pain in the rt ear n it dulled it but it never has completely went away.. not somethin I would recomend. It hurt. But wanted to assure u it could b something this simple.. wishin u the best
Harlin I was there at that time too. :) ...Gee wish we had known.
My GI dr. is the one that suggested the Remicade, but he wouldn't do it until I seen my rheumy. While I was seeing her she called him. So, they made the decision to try it. The Crohns has been my worse problem as of late. I keep having attacks and ending up in the hospital.
How are you today? (Friday)
Hey Kelly
Let me know the next time you r in town! So sorry we missed
Each other!!
My lump is gone. I felt like no one believed me. It scared me to
Death. I quit the antibiotic , it was making me sick to my stomach.
I just hope
It
Doesn't
Come back
I am sorry you are having such a
Hard time. I was having the same issues and the gastro dr said
If you take an immodium befor you eat out you won't have a
Problem. I do t eat out very often but when I do I don't eat
Lettuce. Do you have problems all the time? I know it is miserable!
Oh Harlin, so glad to hear it's gone. Mine went away with the antibiotics also. I know what you mean about them not believing and also being scared. No one had a clue what caused it or what to do. My rheumy took a chance prescribing the antibiotic...and thankfully it worked. Mine didn't come back so hopefully yours won't either.. BTW, I had about 5 on the one side of my head at the same time...it was crazy.
Take a deep breath and relax now. Have a good weekend.
Thanks Anita
Glad to hear yours hasn't come back. Hopefully mine won't either.
You have a great weekend too!
Love and prayers, harlin