Extreme swelling and tenderness of lymph node

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I wanted to ask what might cause extreme swelling and tenderness unilaterally in the submandibular lymph node? My left lymph node is so swollen you can almost see it just through inspection. It's also fairly tender and I have also have pain when talking that originates at the base of my tongue (almost where my tonsils are at). It happened overnight and I'm to the point where I'm not sure if I should go the the ED. I tried looking in my mouth to the spot where the pain was on my tongue and it almost looks as though there is a chancre or some sort of lesion there. But I'm not sure because of how far back it is, I had a hard time moving my tongue out of the way. Could that be causing the severe swelling in the lymph? And should I be worried enough to go to the ED?

I have also had a fever since last Tuesday that has gone up and down, but usually stays around 99-100. And last week, I had incredible joint soreness, but I attributed that to the 102 fever I had on Wednesday. My throat has also been extremely sore to the point I went to the doctor yesterday for a strep test. That came back negative and unfortunately, my lymph node was not in this condition nor did I have the pain on the posterior of my tongue when I was at the physicians.

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Specializes in ED staff.

Definitely have something going on, just what that is, I dunno. Since it got so large so quickly and it is where it is, keep a watch on it as far as occluding your airway is concerned. I'd at least give my doc a call and run it by her/him since it's causing you so much concern, she/he can advise on on the need to go to the ED. Let us know how things go, hope you feel better soon, Wendy

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Specializes in ED staff.

oh yeah, perhaps mono?

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Could ba a salivary stone.

I agree with lilgirl, it needs to be seen tho if there is no airway problem is probably not "worthy" of an ER visit. Call your PCP, they should have an advice nurse or an on-call doc for you to run it past.

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I was thinking mono...which I really hope it wrong! I can't afford to be tired and lethargic for months on end (that is what I've seen in the few people I've known who had it). And how would I have caught it? I mean, isn't it carried on saliva? I don't share things with others and don't go around kissing anyone but my husband. He doesn't have it, but I'm thinking maybe one of my kids? And I can't remember what the treatment is for mono....

What exactly is a salivary stone?

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Specializes in ED staff.

I had mono when I was about 9, sickest I've ever been in my life. NO idea how I got it, no one else I knew had it. I went to WebMD and looked at it, the incubation period is like 50 days and the symptoms so mild at first, I mean who would even remember if they'd had a fever and sore throat 50 days before if that's all that they had. I've only seen a few salivary stones and they were in the salivary ducts in the cheeks. The duct gets stopped up with debris from the mouth and the saliva can't escape so swelling ensues. I've never seen one with a fever. The test for that amazingly enough is and amylase, it's secreted with saliva to help in digestion of carbohydrates. One doc I worked with said that the number one reason for swollen lymmph nodes in women is pierced ears, although I would think that the fever would r/o that in your case.

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

I had these symptoms when I had an impacted molar. Is that a possibility for you? If so, it still needs to be seen ASAP, because it's nothing to play around with.

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i dont know what u could have, but lately i have had the same problem with my nodes swelling. this has happened to me about 3 or 4 times in past 2 months. my throat hurts too and i usually have HA and fever. i have not been to dr because i dont have the time right now - let us know what MD says, maybe we have the same problem. feel better:bluecry1:

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I don't think it's an impacted molar. I have all my wisdom teeth and there are no problems with them. I can feel back behind my wisdom teeth and it feels like the skin may be broken. My biggest concern is the way my head and face feel. The entire left side of my head feels "funny" and is warm to the touch. The very back of my tongue (where it's attached) is very sore, like an overworked muscle, if that makes any sense! If it gets much worse, I may just go the ED, even though we can't afford it right now.

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

I get sth. quite similar from time to time. Had one the size of a large bird's egg and it was so obvious externally, dh pointed it out to me and asked what it was. It was HUGE. Had that back of the tongue thing, too. Crazy stuff. But in my case, it was always the worst just before it was gone ! Would wake up the next day, and poof ! Nothing ! No lump and pain in back of throat or below ear just GONE. :confused:

Which is always just fine and dandy with me. Then I can tell myself "see, I didn't need to go running to the doctor afterall"! :rolleyes:

Won't advise you to do the same. You do what you

are most comfortable with. It could be the onset of a wicked cold, sometimes mine start that way...

If it's really bothering you, go get it checked. Keep us posted and get better ! :)

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i had the exact same problem about 3 months ago. i woke up with a swollen right lymph node and a temp..and i never have a temp. (even with that nasty stomach flu that was going around my family last winter). i was like 101-102! it constantly felt like i had something stuck in my throat and the right of my neckwas getting more and more swollen. i finally had so much difficulty swallowing and trouble breathing that i went to the walk-in clinic near my house. i was negative for mono and strep! wWBCs normal???? the doc was very surprised. i had a white patch on the back of my throat that they took the swabs from...yes they...i went to the same place within a few days of eachother b/c i was not getting better. i was told i had a viral phyringitis (sp?) and it would go away with time. it did. ever since, however, ive had a slightly swollen right lymph node with some tenderness but never as bad. when i go for my yearly check-up im going to ask the doc what is up..maybe she could do some more blood tests...who knows. :confused:

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical.

Had the same symptoms myself about 3 years ago...it was mono. Had swollen lymph nodes (one was much bigger than the other), temperature, really sore throat and sore spots toward the back of my tongue. Doc thought it was strep throat, but the tests showed mono. If it is mono, just rest. That is the only thing that made me feel better. I missed school for about a month, but felt much better once I allowed myself to sleep it off. From what I understand there really isn't a treatment for mono. I was told that antibiotics don't work and sometimes cause allergic reactions when taken for mono. My doc still prescriped me ceclor...and I broke out in the worst rash from head to toe...it was the worst feeling ever! So my advice if it is mono...don't bother with antibotics, just allow yourself the rest. I drank a lot of green tea and ate a lot of chicken noodle to sooth my throat and probably slept most of the month away, but I felt great after that and got back to school and work. Not sure how I got it either, my doc told me it doesn't necessarily take saliva to transmit it...

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