Swollen lymph node in neck

bohogirl
bohogirl Member Posts: 11
in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
For about two months now I have had a enlarged lymph node on the right side of my neck and one to the left side of my thyroid. My family Dr. said my thyroid was enlarged. Not true a PA at a local free clinic said it is lymph nodes and put me on two weeks of antibiotics, needless to say hasn't helped. I have lupus, since age of 17, and asthma since age of two.
I am also experiencing heaviness in chest especially when I lay down at night, pain on left side under ribcage, front and back. The PA the the clinic did blood work, I'm anemic. I also had a bout of anemia a year ago February. I'm also experiencing bone pain, left thigh.
Thankfully, I applied for SSI Disability in March, Just found out last Friday I have been approved with medicaid immediately. I think the heavens must be looking out for me because everyone has told me it was a quick decision on SSI's part. As soon as I get the medicaid card this week I'm heading back to the DR. You just have to be your own advocate. Any thoughts about my symptoms would be greatly appreciated.

Jackie

Comments

  • Tracie1981
    Tracie1981 Member Posts: 125
    #2
    Hey
    You need to have them to do a CT scan ASAP, CT scans are the best detectors of Lymphoma in my opinion. I also had swollen lymph nodes and was unable to breath laying down. On top of that I had night sweats, itchiness, low-grade fevers, and weight loss. Definitely have them check it out, Goodluck and God Bless, Tracie
  • michelleb1064
    michelleb1064 Member Posts: 53
    #3
    It does sound like you
    It does sound like you could have lymphoma. There are many symptoms of lymphoma and you dont have to have all of them or any of them sometimes. The main symptoms are: swollen lymph nodes, itching, night sweats, weight loss, trouble breathing, chest pain and fatigue. I would get a CT scan just in case. Best wishes
  • JoanieP
    JoanieP Member Posts: 573
    #4
    Dr
    Get to the doctor and insist he sends you to an oncologist if he is not sure what it is. It could be Lymphoma or something very benign and not cancer. Good luck and let us know. God bless you Joanie
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #5
    Agree..
    Hi Jackie,
    I agree with with all of the above...as soon as your medicaid card comes in the mail, find yourself a good Oncologist. Swollen enlarged nodes that don't go down after taking antibiotics is a good sign that something else is going on. Be sure to let us know what you find out. I'll keep you in my prayers. Best wishes...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)
  • bohogirl
    bohogirl Member Posts: 11
    #6
    allmost60 said:

    Agree..
    Hi Jackie,
    I agree with with all of the above...as soon as your medicaid card comes in the mail, find yourself a good Oncologist. Swollen enlarged nodes that don't go down after taking antibiotics is a good sign that something else is going on. Be sure to let us know what you find out. I'll keep you in my prayers. Best wishes...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

    ER Vist Last Night
    Thanks to all for your responses!! Went to ER last night because I couldn't take another sleepless, breathless, pain filled night...of course they treated me for asthma symptoms, decadron injection, breathing treatment, ekg, chest x-ray, another cycle of prednisone. Looked at lymph nodes in neck, agreed enlarged, didn't address that. Before I left made me walk the halls with nurse with pulse/oxygen meter on, and my pulse/ox dropped to 80 with normal paced walking. Dr. comes in and tells me that it is puzzling, something is going on, just a matter of who is going to find it. Told me to follow up with my doc. I'm going to take your advice and ask for a ct scan on monday when I visit my doc. Oh, forgot chest ex-ray has some "little things", but he (The DR) said it is probably related to chronic asthma. I don't want to be disrespectful to Doctors, because I have had some great ones through the years, but I live in a small town now, where there aren't any Internists, only Family Doctors.

    Thanks for all your input and thoughts,
    Jackie
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #7
    bohogirl said:

    ER Vist Last Night
    Thanks to all for your responses!! Went to ER last night because I couldn't take another sleepless, breathless, pain filled night...of course they treated me for asthma symptoms, decadron injection, breathing treatment, ekg, chest x-ray, another cycle of prednisone. Looked at lymph nodes in neck, agreed enlarged, didn't address that. Before I left made me walk the halls with nurse with pulse/oxygen meter on, and my pulse/ox dropped to 80 with normal paced walking. Dr. comes in and tells me that it is puzzling, something is going on, just a matter of who is going to find it. Told me to follow up with my doc. I'm going to take your advice and ask for a ct scan on monday when I visit my doc. Oh, forgot chest ex-ray has some "little things", but he (The DR) said it is probably related to chronic asthma. I don't want to be disrespectful to Doctors, because I have had some great ones through the years, but I live in a small town now, where there aren't any Internists, only Family Doctors.

    Thanks for all your input and thoughts,
    Jackie

    Frustrating..
    Hi Jackie,
    I feel your frustration...having shortness of breath is so darn scary. On the weeks I had to take the 60mg a day of Prednisone after my chemo infusion, I would experience severe breathing problems, racing heart and sometimes gasped for air after just walking to the kitchen for water. Frickin hated that feeling and it threw me into a panic like no tomorrow. I know it was caused from the high dose Pred because once the Pred was finished the breathing problems subsided. You be sure to let us know what the CT scan shows. Hang in there and we are here for you. Man...I know how sacry it feels. Much love...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)
  • bohogirl
    bohogirl Member Posts: 11
    #8
    Test
    Of course the first plan of action was an ultrasound of my neck last Wed, haven't heard from doctor. Still have bone pain in my left thigh, now have swelling behind knee. Experiencing low back pain on left side, another new development. Itchiness everywhere. I guess I'll be heading back to Dr. this week.
  • cooky38
    cooky38 Member Posts: 29
    #9
    bohogirl said:

    Test
    Of course the first plan of action was an ultrasound of my neck last Wed, haven't heard from doctor. Still have bone pain in my left thigh, now have swelling behind knee. Experiencing low back pain on left side, another new development. Itchiness everywhere. I guess I'll be heading back to Dr. this week.

    don't wait
    don't wait around on one dr. i did for i really know for how long and it had to be the radiologist, to tell him that i needed a biopsy done, after the ultra sound. that was in 2005, now it is in stage4, with 50% in my bone marrow. blessings denise
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #10
    cooky38 said:

    don't wait
    don't wait around on one dr. i did for i really know for how long and it had to be the radiologist, to tell him that i needed a biopsy done, after the ultra sound. that was in 2005, now it is in stage4, with 50% in my bone marrow. blessings denise

    Waiting???
    Denise,
    You are so right about not waiting to see the Dr. Luckily it is all treated the same it seems. The stage is no big deal from what I understand,but being checked out immediately is still the best. John
  • COBRA666
    COBRA666 Member Posts: 2,401 Member
    #11
    cooky38 said:

    don't wait
    don't wait around on one dr. i did for i really know for how long and it had to be the radiologist, to tell him that i needed a biopsy done, after the ultra sound. that was in 2005, now it is in stage4, with 50% in my bone marrow. blessings denise

    Waiting???
    Denise,
    You are so right about not waiting to see the Dr. Luckily it is all treated the same it seems. The stage is no big deal from what I understand,but being checked out immediately is still the best. John
  • bohogirl
    bohogirl Member Posts: 11
    #12
    cooky38 said:

    don't wait
    don't wait around on one dr. i did for i really know for how long and it had to be the radiologist, to tell him that i needed a biopsy done, after the ultra sound. that was in 2005, now it is in stage4, with 50% in my bone marrow. blessings denise

    Frustrating
    Went back to Doctor, ultrasound was normal, new swelling/mass where my neck meets my shoulder. Doctor agrees it is some sort of growth, but thinks it's benign. Also have swelling behind left knee where I have had pain in my thigh bone for months, another small one just below my bottom right rib. Doctor is convinced I'm in the midst of Lupus flair. I pointed out that Lupus inflammation is always bilateral,I'm not having bilateral inflammation, she agreed and ordered more blood work and wants me to see my Rheumatologist. I told her my concerns of lymphoma because of years of immunosuppresent drugs, and the fact I have had Lupus for over half of my life. Her response was if I have a blood cancer it will show up in blood work. I'm not giving up. I will keep going back until she orders a CT scan. Thanks for all your input and thoughts.
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #13
    bohogirl said:

    Frustrating
    Went back to Doctor, ultrasound was normal, new swelling/mass where my neck meets my shoulder. Doctor agrees it is some sort of growth, but thinks it's benign. Also have swelling behind left knee where I have had pain in my thigh bone for months, another small one just below my bottom right rib. Doctor is convinced I'm in the midst of Lupus flair. I pointed out that Lupus inflammation is always bilateral,I'm not having bilateral inflammation, she agreed and ordered more blood work and wants me to see my Rheumatologist. I told her my concerns of lymphoma because of years of immunosuppresent drugs, and the fact I have had Lupus for over half of my life. Her response was if I have a blood cancer it will show up in blood work. I'm not giving up. I will keep going back until she orders a CT scan. Thanks for all your input and thoughts.

    Biopsy???
    Hi Jackie,
    I am curious how the doctor has determined that the enlarged node/mass in your neck is benign if they haven't done a biopsy. I had a large lump on my left groin surgically removed and then sent to pathlogy before they could even determine if it was cancerous or not. Once that is done there is no more guessing if the lump is benign. If it proves to be cancer, they then can stage the cancer through pathology testing of the tumor. I hope your doctors will make a decision to remove this lump and quit guessing at what "might" be going on. The CT scan is absolutely necessary. Keep us informed on what they decide to do. I'll keep you in my prayers. Take care...Love, Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)
  • bohogirl
    bohogirl Member Posts: 11
    #14
    allmost60 said:

    Biopsy???
    Hi Jackie,
    I am curious how the doctor has determined that the enlarged node/mass in your neck is benign if they haven't done a biopsy. I had a large lump on my left groin surgically removed and then sent to pathlogy before they could even determine if it was cancerous or not. Once that is done there is no more guessing if the lump is benign. If it proves to be cancer, they then can stage the cancer through pathology testing of the tumor. I hope your doctors will make a decision to remove this lump and quit guessing at what "might" be going on. The CT scan is absolutely necessary. Keep us informed on what they decide to do. I'll keep you in my prayers. Take care...Love, Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)

    Biopsy
    The ultra sound showed a 1.5cm growth on lower lobe of my thyroid. Had echocardiogram, and stress test today. Appt with surgeon 8/8 for biopsy...first available, only two surgeons in my town. My doc said she could refer me to an Atlanta surgeon, but local surgeon appt is only 2 1/2 weeks out, I'm just keeping it. We will address this first and go from there. She thinks growth above collar bone and others could all be related. Keep you posted.
  • allmost60
    allmost60 Member Posts: 3,178 Member
    #15
    bohogirl said:

    Biopsy
    The ultra sound showed a 1.5cm growth on lower lobe of my thyroid. Had echocardiogram, and stress test today. Appt with surgeon 8/8 for biopsy...first available, only two surgeons in my town. My doc said she could refer me to an Atlanta surgeon, but local surgeon appt is only 2 1/2 weeks out, I'm just keeping it. We will address this first and go from there. She thinks growth above collar bone and others could all be related. Keep you posted.

    "YES"...finally!
    Hi Jackie,
    Well...thats a relief to finally hear your going to get a biopsy done on the 8th of August! Maybe now you will finally get some solid answers. I'm just a bit peeved that you have had to go through so much crap to finally get to this point. The biopsy will tell your doctor so much and take away the guessing game thats been going on. Thanks so much for sharing with us, and be sure to let us know the results of the biopsy. I leave for vacation on Sat for 2 weeks, but will have my laptop with me to check in. Take care and keep as peaceful as possible. Much love...Sue (FNHL-2-3A-6/10)
  • dblackburn3
    dblackburn3 Member Posts: 1
    #16
    I'm having same issues

    I am having the exact same issues. I've got up to having an ultrasound and a biopsy will  be the next step. I'm going to demand they do a biopsy! I know this post that you made is a few years old but I would like to know what you found out if you don't mind. Thank you and your information is much appreciated.

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