Does it seem like Lymphoma or bone cancer, or...?

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Nope

 

Lee,

All of us offer lay opinions and insights here. We can't second-guess your MD.

I would be very surprised if what you are dealing with is in any way related to lymphoma.  For one, the extremeties (arms and legs) contain very few nodes, and are almost never the area in which lymphoma is discovered.  I would not be concerned about lymphoma at all at this point, based upon what you described.

max

 

Thank you, Max!  I really appreciate the response.  I hope you are correct.  It will just be fantastic to know what is going on.

Sten said:

Get thoroughly examined

Hi leebsqweeb,

I agree with Max that this is probably not cancer, but as Max said, only the doctors can find out what it is. It is good that you see to that you are thoroughly examined. Now wait for the MRI results, and then go on seeing doctors until you get a proper diagnose. Try not to worry too much. Good luck!

Sten

Thank you, Sten!  I plan to keep getting checked and tested until this gets figured out.  It certainly isn't normal by any stretch of the imagination.  Something is going on.

unknown said:

Glad it helped

i was diagnosed with Stage IV FNHL after a very long diagnosis process. My main symptoms were night sweats but just on the neck, severe fatigue, lower back pain and leg pains. None of these symptoms were specific to lymphoma. Blood work was was all in the normal range and I had no palpable swollen lymph nodes.This went on for years. I was treated for RA and even told I had emotional problems and wasn't really sick. I was finally diagnosed Stage IV follicular after a biopsy deep inside my retroperitoneal (based on an MRI and against the advice of my GP) area followed by 8 nights in the hospital. Bone marrow biopsy also showed 28% cancerous white blood cells. I also had a lump about the size of half a golf ball removed from my right shoulder about 6 months before the biopsy. That was declared benign but by a non- oncologist. After beginning treatment with Rituxan my 10 years of  backpain vanished almost immediately. Leg pains slowly improved after the Rituxan was finished.

I really don't think you have lymphoma. However I recommend dealing with an onology specialist. They are best equipped to diagnose it. Just don't mess around with any other specialists. Also after my experience I would never discourage anyone with non-specific symptoms from getting further diagnosis. Doctors are not God-like and do make mistakes, especially when dealing outside their specialties or GPs. Be in charge of your own health. I like having a treatable form of lymphoma a lot more than I liked being told I wasn't sick when I knew I was. I repeat, go to an oncologist.

Your symptoms are sounding very similar to mine.  I actually sweat on my neck all night, almost every night.  I didn't know that was a symptom.  I've only had a couple drenching night sweats since all of this started.  

I love this Orthopedic specialist I found.  He actually listens (unlike my now ex GP) and so far hasn't been afraid to test.  My ex GP thinks I'm crazy.  She actually said that I'm "getting pitiful" and to try and wait it out as long as I can.  For a guy who only ever goes to the doctor once a year to now being "pitiful"...my thoughts on her changed very quickly.  ANYWAY, this Orthopedist is fantastic, so far.  I'll ask him if seeking an oncologists opinion would be a good option, as well.  I like the idea.  I just don't think I want to mess around with whatever is going on.  I do have a bad gut feel about this.  We'll see!  Hopefully today I'll know something...  Thank you again for your replies.  It is helping me.

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Yes

Yes, lee, continue to be checked. But do so in a calm, systematic manner.  Doctors make mistakes and miss things, but mostly they are not idiots.

It is impossible to pick up "tone" very well in emails or texting, but I made the comment above because you sound a little frantic to me. If you are not, sorry.

If you have any trace of lymphoma (which, as I said, I doubt -- like your doctor), then it is very likely early and mild. You are not about to "die" from lymphoma, and in fact even most Stage 4 lymphoma patients do not die of the disease, because most strains are just too treatable.

Be calm and optimistic, and know that lymphoma most likely is not something you have.  Some writers here share horror stories of doctors missing their diagnosis, but there are thousands of new lymphoma cases ever year, and the number of screwed up diagnoses you can count on your hands, as terrible as they nonetheless are.  I know that medical mistakes are very common in the US. It is just that they are not the norm.

Peace to you,

max

 

Sitting here just waiting for my mri results.  The docs office said it would be today.  Staying calm.  If needed, I will keep looking for answers, calmly.  It doesn't help to get stressed.  Thanks for commenting.

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Try this

Lee,

If the doctors promised you results on July 15, and you have not heard from them on July 16, call them, and ask why not.   It is easy and free, and only takes a few minutes, after you get through the options on the office telephone.

Most large practices get a stack of lab results every day, and usually some office clerk routes these around. It is often the case that stuff is missed for a few days. But if a patient calls, the cause of the delay is usually determined.

 

Hoping you get good news,

max

...and they still don't know what is causing all my symptoms.  The MRI results done on my arm do show "tenosynovitis occuring in the setting of intersection syndrome of the forearm with edema", so I got a nice cortizone shot.  It also shows "Marrow space is unremarkable".  Perhaps a trip straight to an oncologist is in order, however, I feel weird doing that with all of the normal blood, unswollen (but sore) lymph nodes, and relatively uneventful mri results I'm getting.  This is getting expensive, and frustrating.