Lymph node on the back of right shoulder

[cutecat25 14]

Three weeks ago I noticed a small lymph node on the back of my right shoulder. I got an ultrasound and they said it just looked like a reactive lymph node. At the time I had a ear piercing infection, but it's been three weeks now and the ear piercing infection is better, while the lymph node is still there. I'm terrified of having to get a biopsy as I know that's the only way to determine if it's benign or not.

Has anyone else had a swollen lymph node and it turned out to be nothing?

[bin_tenn 1252]

The word "biopsy" often scares people because it's associated with the suspicion of malignancy, but biopsy and malignancy are not synonymous. Biopsies are done for reasons other than suspicion of malignancy. Not sure if that's why you're worried, associating biopsy with malignancy, but that's the truth about it.

To answer your question: yes, people have swollen lymph nodes ALL THE TIME and it's nothing. In fact, in relation to how many are "nothing", it is rarely ever "something." Lymph nodes swell for various reasons, ranging from common cold, to infection, to acne, to scrape / cut, and so on. No, it is not always a lymph node in the immediate area of whatever the cause is. Sometimes it's in a relatively distant lymph node.

You'll be fine. Even if the cause is, in fact, more deeply rooted, you are on the right path to resolving the issue. Feel well soon. Let us know how it goes.

[cutecat25 14]

I got another ultrasound on the shoulder lymph node as well as one on my neck (because i could feel a lump there) the ultrasound came back saying the lymph node in my shoulder has gotten smaller and that my neck appears normal with no swollen lymph nodes(even though i can still feel a lump when i touch it).

The dr also did extensive blood work and said everything was normal.

He said come back in a month for a review but everything looks fine.

Should I accept this? 

[bin_tenn 1252]

Yes, absolutely. You are fine and you are healthy. Good news!

[mollyfin 366]

Necks are lumpy.  If the ultrasound didn't find anything there's probably nothing there to find.  Did your doctor feel around as well?  They usually have an idea of what's supposed to be there.  

I have nodes everywhere behind my ears and on the back of my head, because I have constant scalp inflammation.  They freak me out instinctively every time but they're still not a problem; they just happen now and then.  Same with a recurring infection in my left underarm.  Nodes don't always go back to the way they were before.