Lymphoma Question?

Hi





A couple of months ago I found several lumps on my neck and throat. I went to the Dr and he got a ultrasound done. He told me they were enlarged lymph nodes and there is about 6 or more of them. He told me to come back in 1 month and i did and he said we will leave it longer.I had a heap of blood tests and i dont have mono and was put on antibiotics just in case which has done nothing. I am having severe night sweats too and itchy legs (dont know if its related). I have tried everything to work out whats causing the itching but found nothing. I have also lost alot of weight. I am 24yrs old so maybe he thinks i am too young i dont know. I am just a bit concerned and my doctor doesnt seem to be worried. Should I try another doctor or leave it? Just not sure if I am worrying for nothing.





Thanks





Jess

Lymphoma Question?
SEE ANOTHER DOCTOR.


You have CLASSIC signs of Lymphoma.


Itching, night seats, weight loss. What really concerns me is that antibiotics have had no effect on the swollen Lymph nodes. I had ALL of that and didn't know what it was either. Blood tests won't do it. A biopsy of one of the swollen nodes would. Now, I'm not a doctor and I'm not trying to scare you, but I had all the same things and had to wait weeks for the docs to figure it out. The presentation of symptoms can easily fool doctors and it's not all their fault that they don't see it. [lymphoma][mine was non-Hodgkins]


Here is the best sight for info:


http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls


On the positive side, if it is Lymphoma, there are great treatments out there. It has been 3 years for me and I'm fine.


You are NOT too young. Get a second opinion ASAP.


Best wishes
Reply:hi,


you have stated that a/botics hadn't done anything and that doctor doesn't seem concern..BUT the key thing is that you are and rightly so.


this is YOUR body here - and maybe as you have said the other sympstons might be nothing - but then again..





You are already thinking of getting another opinion and YOU have every right to do so..





Your Age should have NOTHING to do with it - so please - even if jsut so you can sleep at night - go to another dr and see what he/she has to say - even if it is 5 more drs - until you are happy with what they are doing/answering your questions..
Reply:Hi Jess, the first thing I want to tell you, much like the first person said, is that, its your body, and if you're worried, you should get another opinion, if for nothing else, just to put your mind at ease. There have been many instances when doctors have caught things late, or just didnt think it was anything important, so if you're ever worried, take action.





Now, I don't want to worry you for nothing, since you already are concerned, but since you asked, I'll give a little bit of information. There are many different types of lymphomas, but they're all usually broken down into either Hodgkins lymphoma or non hodgkins lymphoma. Both present with swollen lymph nodes, often in the neck, and often painless, fatigue, weight loss, fever and itchy skin. Specifically, hodgkins lymphoma also presents with night sweats, and usually will target 2 specific age groups, 15-35 and 55+.





Like I said, I really don't want to get you worried at all Jess, but the symptoms you have all fit Hodgkins. Try not to worry though, because it could be nothing at all, and if it is Hodgkins, its one of the most curable forms of cancer, with like a 93% survival rate. I would just suggest getting to see another doctor, preferably an oncologist, to get tested to see if you have it.
Reply:The question canot be easily answered.Your case should be re assessed including your history ,complaint analysis,examination and investigations the case might and might not be a lymphoma.Chronicity shifts Drs minds to Tbs or leptocercaria of the lymph disease or a chronic inflammatory or a lymphoma..........You can try me.....Dr sherif lanson khalil of Egypt (002 010 148 3138) sherilanson@yahoo.com
Reply:Hi Jess, Please Please go to another doctor. My husband had lost a lot of weight, had itchy %26amp; dry skin and night sweats back in Jan. 2006. He also had blood in his stool which was not related to the other symtoms. After blood work, a bone marrow draw, CT scan he was told he had Hodgkins Lymphomas Stage 3 on March 9th 2006. He went through 2 different types of chemo and radiation through out 2006 %26amp; 2007. In April 2007 he was told he was in remission. My husband just turned 50 but age does not matter. I strongly encourage you to see another doctor and ask for the test I have mentioned. Good Luck and God Bless.





Angie
Reply:Sounds like you need to get to a doctor. I would recommend attending a Haematologist or Oncologist as it is possible that you have a lymphoma. It is also possible that you don't have one - it could be a virus which wouldn't respond to anti-biotics. And you are not the normal age to get this disease so it is possible your worst fears are not warranted.





If you are in the UK, ask for a referral under the two-week-wait initiative. If you are not, ask your doctor to send you with an urgent referral to one of the above specialties.





If the worst comes to the worst, you should know that Lymphomas are curable in the main so even if this diagnosis is made, it is not all black.





Trust me, I had a lymphoma 18 years ago, and I am fine.
Reply:Hi Jess,





I'm not trying to scare you, but your symptoms do sound like lymphoma/Hodgkins. I would immediately go to another doctor. When detected early it is very treatable and has the highest success rate of most cancers. It can be usually treated with just radiation when caught in the early stages.





Best of luck,


Paula
Reply:You've received a lot of good info here. I relate very strongly to your case. I'm 25 and was diagnosed with Hodgkins in May after having very similar symptoms to yours. I also found that I was unusually tired and required a lot of naps :)





A second opinion is always worth it. Even if the results are the same as your first doctor's, the peace of mind is worth every bit of effort. Find the doctor that you want to have a second opinion from and go to their office and sign a medical records release form (if in the US). They'll be able to request all the previous records from your first doctor to further review before seeing the second.





Best of luck whatever the result. If you are diagnosed w/ lymphoma, know that you can kick its @ss!! I'm doing it every day!