Swolen Lymph Nodes?

[Ian]

My neck is stiff and sore today, and I think I recall straining it yesterday when I turned my head quicky (it pulled and made me go 'ow' lol) so I thought nothing of it. But it's been bothering me and it's warm to the touch (I've checked and I don't have a temperature). Earlier this week I had a similar feeling below my rib cage and assumed it was my bowels as I get twinges sometimes, but it felt a little high to to be my transverse colon which I thought was odd. Then earlier I was getting a sort of warm pressure on my breast bone.
I only knew of lymph nodes in the neck, but on googling I've discovered we have them in numerous places, including behind the sternum and in the abdomnial area below the rib cage (!). I don't even know what swolen lymph nodes feel like because to my knoweledge I've never had them before. Normally I'd think nothing of it but because I'm a young male on combination therapy (Humira and 6MP) it's got me wondering lol.

I'm sure it's nothing - and if the neck stiffness ceases over the new few days I'll know it is - but does anyone know of any ways to tell the difference between muscle strain and swelling?

 

[Crohn's Mom]

Lymphnodes can enlarge for just about any reason or even the slightest infection. Just having CD is enough reason for some lymphondes to be enlarged.
That being said...you are on Humira and 6MP, so you, in my opinion, can not afford to just "assume" that they are just "normal" swollen lymphs. I think it's best that you ring your doctor and at the very least inform him of your findings.
Gab had an issue with just a few swollen lymphs shortly after she started Cimzia, and we had to make a couple of trips to her doctors so they could see and feel them for themselves. They took a "wait and see" approach afterwards, but they wanted a close eye kept on them for changes or growth. Luckily? we know now that they were caused from the skin infection she has from Cimzia, but the doctor was very concerned none the less.
It's worth it to inform your doctor just to be on the safe side considering your treatments.
Best of luck..and I hope they turn out to be "nothing"

 

[beth]

If you are worried, then see your GP!...
I had swollen lymph nodes in my neck a few weeks ago, didn't do anything about it, and they went back down a couple of weeks later. I wasn't running a temp so did injections as normal.

 

[Ian]

Thanks for the replies,

Well I had to give it until today because obviously I wouldn't have been able to contact a doctor over the weekend, and my neck (and other places) are fine now. I guess it was just muscle strain/stiffness like I thought, but it was a bit weird how much the locations synced up! Not a good thing to research when you're alone late at night lol.

 

[stevew06]

i had swollen lymph nodes in my neck on both sides but the right side was very large i hadnt had a cold or anyother infection i eneded up having it removed to weeks ago got my results today and they said it wasnt cancer but it was a reactive lymph node i asked ractive to what and drs said an infection but i dont have an infection but he said i have white patches in my mouth which can be associated with crohns and has reffered me to a maxio facial surgeon but a least it was a bit of good news for a change i have had a rough few months

 

[stevew06]

oh sorry forgot to sat i was on infliximab for 9 yers and am now on humira for the last year as i had a reaction to mouse serum in the infliximab