lymph nodes

I don't really know how many people with CFS/ME suffer from lymph node pain and swelling? I think it was one of the original U.S. diagnostic criteria, however, I'm not really sure if it still is. I was diagnosed in the States, then moved back to Canada where I was diagnosed using the Canadian Clinical criteria put together by an international panel of ME/CFS specialists (including my specialist). I think the Canadian diagnostic criteria are much better, and it's been shown that the Canadian criteria select a narrower, sicker population than the U.S. one. With the Canadian criteria, lymph node pain or swelling just comes under the general category of immune manifestations.

Anyways, almost from the start I've had significant pain in my axillary lymph nodes - that is, the ones in my arm pits. I had no idea there were even lymph nodes there prior to getting ill. Sometimes they've been so painful I've had to prop pillows under my arms at night in order to sleep (because when my arms are down and touching, they hurt more). I've also had lots and lots of sore throats, sometime lasting years at a time. The nodes in my throat are sometimes mildly swollen, but the ones in my armpits have mostly been painful and not swollen.

Last night I was watching TV and I reached up (to itch my neck) and found a little grape sized swollen lymph node on the side of my neck....it doesn't hurt, but I'm guessing it's related to the M.E./CFS. I'm seeing my Nurse Practitioner next week so if it's still swollen, I'll see what she thinks.

Otherwise, my energy seems to be getting back to where it was prior to the PhD course which is very encouraging!