Swollen? Lymph Nodes

[HopeSprings]

I have many small ones up and down my neck and in the groin area that feel like little beans - they've been there for years. Is it normal to be able to feel them? I'm not finding good answers searching online.

[kmichaelson]

Hi Naomi, I haven't had this problem much myself, but my sister has had swollen lymph nodes in her neck a lot over the past year. She and I both have been fighting recurrent Epstein Barr, and I think that it's due to that. Have you ever been tested for EBV or CMV? I don't know if that's what's affecting you, but I know that these diseases are called 'glandular fever' so maybe it's a possibility?

Good luck in figuring it out, and by the way, I love your ice skating Hello Kitty--that's so cute!

[anaphylaxing]

Yep it's normal to be able to feel them in your neck and groin if they're pea sized and unchanged for ages. If you feel new areas, or lumps enlarging, tender , red or hard (even if painless) then I'd get checked.

[potsgirl]

I'm glad to hear that it's normal to feel them in your neck and groin area, because I've also had this for many years. Usually my left upper neck gland swells more than the right. Anaphylaxing, May I ask where you heard that it's normal? Thanks!

[HopeSprings]

Yes, I read over and over it's a sign of infection - well, this has been a long infection then! I have tested positive for active EBV repeatedly and my primary care Dr. thinks this may be the root of all my problems, POTS included. Then other Dr's say many people test positive for EBV and it means nothing. I also read this can be a sign of lymphoma, but I guess I'd be dead by now. So maybe it is just normal.