Swollen Lymph Node (Neck) as a Result of Covid Virus

I had a bad case of flu that the doctors could not diagnose in April 2018. It felt like the corona that went on to kill millions. I am now left with a swollen lymph node on one side of my neck for years. It happened after that infection. Never had a problem with swollen lymph nodes prior to this Here is my true experience. I boarded a flight from a European country, was seated next to this guy who was visibly sick. Like coughing up a storm and had the flu. It was a two hour flight. In the next two weeks, I recall the feeling that something was trying to take over my body. Almost hard to describe this creepy crawly feeling. It is the feeling that you get that something is amiss but you can't quite explain it. I can't recall the exact day all hell broke lose but I became very sick after the two week window. I would vomit constantly, I had intense breathing difficulties to the point that I did not know if I would be able to take the next breath. It was like an attack of whopping cough, with breathing difficulties and vomiting. These attacks came anywhere at anytime to the point that when I went to the restroom at the university I attended, I would not lock the stall door and hope for the best because I was afraid of collapsing and passing out while there alone. In between attacks, I would be completely well. Medical professionals even dismissed me because they saw nothing wrong until an attack of this disease occurred right in the nurse's office and her jaw dropped literally. She said she had never seen anything like this. Also, I could not talk like a normal person. My voice was gone. I would utter a sentence and it would be cut off midway. I struggled to have conversations with my family on Skype and had to stop. My mucus had a distinct smell and that smell carried on for years after. I now have this new thing where mucus no longer seem to come from my nose. But my throat needs to be cleared. It is way better now. I still don't know what this disease was. The doctors could not tell. The only thing one mentioned was a high white blood cell count. Perhaps that's not surprising because my body was fighting a monster of unknown proportion and origin. But thank God I survived.

How long did yours stay swollen? I have had a swollen one on one side of my neck for 2 1/2 months after my covid infection. The doctor just says it will take time to go down.

Is yours better now? So far mine has been swollen for 2 1/2 months post covid.

Did yours finally clear up? I still have swollen lymph nodes on the left side of my neck 2 1/2 months post covid. My ent just says it take time.

So you had what you think was covid 2 years before covid hit USA?

Have they done a biopsy on your lymph nodes?

I'm posting in another group named, 'Longcovid Lymphatic Dysfunction' since 'all my Lymph Nodes' (Lymphatic System) is affected. At first I thought it was only my neck - and it took months for me to realize my groin and knees are also swollen - and based on discovering that, suspect 'all of them' are inflamed. Mine are 'cycling' on a scale from, say, '2 to 10' inflammation like the tides - or if you will - on a continuous 'sine wave' of 'more inflamed - less inflamed - more inflamed' etcetera for at least 10 months now - and never fully 'deflate'. It has me wondering things such as, 'could the inflammation of nodes in my head be causing my periodic brainfog and vertigo', too, 'by pressing on my brain when inflammation is in the higher elevations?' I get knee pain (cannot kneel without serious pain when 'pumped up' - as well as notice 'my testicles' get in the way when I sit down, when 'groin nodes' are pumped up. All the other symptoms severity seem to follow this sine wave of 'cycling' from scale 2-10, also. Cusious to know if others experience anything related. Also, 'Fred Hutchinson Center', Seattle, just released a paper about INFLAMMATION with Long Covid and I see 'Markers' seem to be identifiable using test 'IL-6 (Interleukin-6)' normally used to help identify issues including Arthritis/Immune System Disorders (and my Primary stopped looking when 'No Cancer' came back from 'the usual and customary blood tests plus cancer screen test'. I'm hoping to get this test, asap, in order to perhaps get some meds to help reduce this particular troublesome and ongoing problem I worry may cause 'additional problems' by the un-ending inflammation (as I've read in some of my research on the subject). Some research indicates the 'chronic lymphatic system inflammation' can result in 'un-desirable outcomes' (to understate what I read - eventual death). Seems worth my effort to try to resolve or improve, based on that. The test mentions 'CYTOKINES' and I often see mention of 'Cytokime Storms' specifically related to 'Long Covid'.

Also, from a 'TESTING' site:

What is being tested?

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a protein produced by various cells. It helps regulate immune responses, which makes the IL-6 test potentially useful as a marker of immune system activation. IL-6 can be elevated with inflammation, infection, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers. The test measures the amount of IL-6 in the blood.

Interleukin-6 is one of a large group of molecules called cytokines. Cytokines have multiple roles to play within the body and act especially within the immune system to help direct the body’s immune response. They are a part of the “inflammatory cascade” that involves the coordinated, sequential activation of immune response pathways.

IL-6 acts on a variety of cells and tissues. It promotes differentiation of B-cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies), promotes cell growth in some cells, and inhibits growth in others. It stimulates the production of acute phase proteins. IL-6 also plays a role in body temperature regulation, bone maintenance, and brain function. It is primarily pro-inflammatory but can also have anti-inflammatory effects.

I have been having weird issues with my neck!! Like where it feels like it's bulging in certain areas; likely swollen lymph nodes. It really bothers me and gives me anxiety. You are definitely not alone!

Any time there are swollen nodes, please get them checked out. An ultrasound would most likely be first, and if needed followed by CT. Throat cancer should be ruled out as soon as possible.

Tomorrow morning, 9:30 am 😉