swollen lymphnodes

[spazz23]

i'm a younge teenager, age 15, 5'3, and appox. 105 pounds; at the start of year 2011, i noticed a swollen lymph node in my cheek, at the jaw line. i thought nothing of it, and carried on just like any one else would. on February 21st, i was checked into the ER because my most of the lymph nodes in my throat were swollen plus the right side of my tongue. they gave me a steroid treatment (diagnosed with mono). steroid treatment done and over with, i thought i was better... not too much later the symptoms started coming back. another doctor trip, another steroid treatment that was 9 days long: pressure subsided. afterwards, it slowly came back. the doctor said it was possibly acid reflex? anyway, i started taking prevacid. that hasn't helped at all. so obviously for about 6 months I've been putting up with difficulty eating and swallowing. i'm already underweight and don't want to continue losing weight... so if anyone could give some suggestions? that would be great.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

sorry--regarding your lymph nodes
Neck lymph nodes can be the result of tonsillitis, pharyngitis (infection of upper throat), infection in mouth, caries in tooth, internal ear infection, outer ear infection, eczema, dermatitis, dandruff, breast cancer, fungal infection, other cancers like lymphoma etc. If you had flu like symptoms initially then it could be due to infectious mononucleosis too—as diagnosed in your case.  

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Tongue swelling is usually due to a combination of deficiencies like iron pyridoxine, and vitamin B12.
Also if there is gum infection, then it can also cause swelling of tongue. Acid reflux, as your doctor said is another factor.
Usually low vitamin B12 is due to intrinsic factor in the gut, hampers absorption of B12 and causes pernicious anemia is the commonest cause. If this is so the increasing intake of B12 will not help, and you will need to take Vitamin B12 injections at regular frequency as prescribed by your doctor. Other causes are parasites in the gut, diet poor in Vit B12, Crohn;s disease, IBS, or poor metabolism by liver are the causes behind it. Please consult a doctor to rule these out. Take a diet rich in Vit B12 which should include meat and animal products, cheese, such as beef, liver, salmon, cod, and eggs. Take B12 supplements and breakfast cereals fortified with vitamin B12. Finding the cause is important.
Since I cannot examine you and know other related conditions you may be having, nor is a detailed history possible on net, I have listed the various possibilities that should be looked into. Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral.
Take care!