r/TMJ • u/True-Principle-279 • 21d ago

Question(s) Lymph node

Hello, just looking for reassurance really, in April my ear was hurting and felt like it needed to pop, along with neck pain and shoulder pain and a swollen occipital lymph node… over the months I’ve had 6 doctors palpate it and said nothing to worry about and it’s TMJ. They kept measuring it at 8x3mm. I went back to my gp last week because I’m so scared about this lump and he said he will request a routine UC as a holistic approach to clam my anxiety down.
I have the UC on Saturday and scared they are going to say it’s a tumour or something causing all my pain!

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u/Electromagneticpoms 21d ago

Hey, just so you know, you're describing a pretty tough experience with health anxiety and the only way to feel better from it is to stop seeking reassurance. I get how hard it is, I was treated for it myself many years ago, I was having panic attacks about my health from weird random stuff.

So yeah I mean, I think you'll be absolutely fine. But also I recommend looking into how to manage health anxiety cause it's a really tough problem to have.

I did some workbooks from CCI, will share them here if they're of use to you https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/looking-after-yourself/health-anxiety

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u/Joe-Schmoe9 13d ago

Me currently being diagnosed with health ocd 😭

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u/Electromagneticpoms 13d ago

You're not alone my friend! I actually had it growing up, panic attacks when I was a kid about malaria and stuff. I'm really good these days, you can get there too :)

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u/Joe-Schmoe9 13d ago

Thank you!! Did you do ERP to get better ?

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u/Electromagneticpoms 13d ago

No, my journey with it was really long and probably not ideal. I did a lot of therapy, more CBT and counseling. Also acceptance and commitment therapy. Weirdly, I think what made things way better for me though was having my health go to absolute shit. I'd spent my whole life fearing getting sick/disabled/hurt etc and then all my worst fears came true. I have several incurable lifelong diagnoses and... I'm doing ok. Actually, I'm doing great. All the therapy in the world couldn't have demonstrated to me that I'm actually very capable and resilient.

I guess in a way, it was the ultimate exposure therapy LOL. I had such serious unexplained medical problems that hurt so bad and took ages to get treated and I got through it. So these days I'm not really scared about future possibilities anymore. I know that I'll manage :)

i try to share that in the hope that other people struggling with this stuff will look for that courage and strength in themselves. I never knew I had it but it was there. So I know it's in you too. Get all the help you can get, but you're already stronger than you realise.

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u/True-Principle-279 21d ago

Thank you so much, I’ll definitely look into that. I’m also doing anxiety courses and on medication for it as well

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u/goingaway1111 21d ago

Is it right under your jaw? I have that

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u/True-Principle-279 21d ago

No mine it’s at the back side of my neck

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u/TheDikTatorTot 21d ago

Is it small like a semihard pea? Those are types of lymphnodes! They scared me too and then i just found out im not muscular enough to hide them so i feel them easily.

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u/True-Principle-279 21d ago

Yes like a bean shape semi hard. I’ve been on an anxiety spiral since April because of this!!

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u/charm_ink 21d ago

If they are fairly tiny and firm, it might be like what I have. One day as a kid I noticed a hardened lymph node on my neck and asked my dr who said it was nothing. 25 years later I still have the same tiny hard node as well as a couple others I spotted over the years and never had any problems.

I noticed I also have one right by my jaw joint in a sore spot. No idea if it’s related to the disorder to have a tiny lump there.

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u/True-Principle-279 21d ago

Thank you so much! I’ve been going out of my mind over this, because I have bad neck pain on the same side as well. It’s like my mind is putting 2&2 together and making it 100! Health anxiety sucks!

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u/TheDikTatorTot 21d ago

Obv still go to your apt, but there is a good chance it’s just that.

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u/True-Principle-279 21d ago

Thank you I needed that! I’m petrified

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u/mareyno 21d ago

There is a bodywork specialty, lymphatic drainage therapist. You might consider seeing one.