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Original poster

Testing for Lymphoma

29 replies

Unevenbeard · 19/01/2018 17:03

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience of how they test for lymphoma? - my doctor is putting a referral forward for me as my lymph nodes have been swollen on one side of my neck for the last 8 months. Had bloods and ultrasound done already. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

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PinkAvocado · 19/01/2018 17:04

After bloods and X-ray and ultrasound they decided I’m just lumpy. But if they had decided otherwise, they’d have done a biopsy next with a needle sample.

Original poster
Unevenbeard · 19/01/2018 17:13

Thanks for the speedy reply. Oh no, I had a feeling that might be the case, I am petrified of needles.

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PinkAvocado · 19/01/2018 17:24

At least with it though there is a clearer answer what it is. They’ll numb it-could you take someone to be with you?

Original poster
Unevenbeard · 19/01/2018 17:57

That's true, I had a biopsy for something else a few months back and the reality was a lot less traumatic that what I had built up in my head. Yeah my husband will come with me and distract me with his terrible jokes Wink

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PinkAvocado · 19/01/2018 17:59

Hope it is all fine. It’s so stressful. I know I can’t stop touching mine if I start to worry about it which makes it more swollen which creates a viscous circle!

Original poster
Unevenbeard · 19/01/2018 18:01

Thank you Flowers I left it so long because I didn't think it was anything to be too bothered about - learnt my lesson now

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dotdotdotmustdash · 19/01/2018 18:03

SIL collapsed suddenly one morning after several months of weight loss, night sweats and a cough. She was 25. She was taken to A&E and they were about to send her home as just having 'fainted' when someone noticed that her eyes looked a bit yellow. She had bloods and a chest x-ray immediately and a was booked in for a needle biopsy a couple of days later.

She was back a week later for a diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She had 6 months of chemo and 4 weeks of radiotherapy. She now has annual check ups with the Haematologist.

She celebrated her 40th birthday last year.

TheVanguardSix · 19/01/2018 18:04

What was your RBC and WBC results like, OP?

TheVanguardSix · 19/01/2018 18:05

What were your results... sorry for my grammar!

Original poster
Unevenbeard · 19/01/2018 18:15

At the ultrasound the sonographer just said that it was 2/3 nodes that were inflammed not a tumour so nothing to worry about in her words. They only sent me for blood as I feel so exhausted all the time but they said all was normal so assumed I had an infection somewhere but unsure as to the cause and to just leave it. He then phoned me back 30 mins later and said he was about leaving it and sought a second opinion hence the referral being made as I have had night sweats as well. I just don't know what to think

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Original poster
Unevenbeard · 19/01/2018 18:21

Thank you dotdotdot, I'm so glad to hear she come through it OK. It's hard not to fear the worst with something like this I've just felt so exhausted but just assumed my iron was low as it normally is but that was all OK.

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Original poster
Unevenbeard · 19/01/2018 18:27

The doctor did say as they have been inflammed for so long it is a positive, but just wants to rule this out - it is hard not to assume the worst though

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Chipsandchicken · 19/01/2018 18:31

Experienced this myself. Biopsy, if biopsy gives no clear results, lymph node will be removed for testing x

Original poster
Unevenbeard · 19/01/2018 19:32

Thanks Chipsandchicken, was the biopsy painful? X

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Chipsandchicken · 19/01/2018 22:00

No it was completely fine I don't remember feeling any pain, I went on to have the node removed, I was put to sleep for that, just a day case in the local hospital. Have they give you any idea of what they plan to do next??

Original poster
Unevenbeard · 19/01/2018 22:19

Thank you, I feel more reassured after hearing that. Flowers The doctor just told me he was going to be putting in for an emergency referral to be tested for it so I'm hoping it won't take too long to start the process, for peace of mind really. I just don't know what else would be causing it to be inflammed for so long X

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Chipsandchicken · 19/01/2018 22:45

Has it got any bigger during the last 8 months?

scaevola · 19/01/2018 22:51

In case you haven't already found it, there's good information on the tests and diagnostic procedure here:

www.lymphomas.org.uk/tests-and-scans-lymphoma

PinkAvocado · 20/01/2018 07:26

Uneven-mine is permanently ‘up’. They
said some people do have unexplained ones - my GP has some too. Hopefully as your ultrasound came back the same as mine, yours will fall into this category. It doesn’t stop me worrying some days when it feels bigger but it has been there so long now I have to trust them.

Original poster
Unevenbeard · 20/01/2018 07:49

It got bigger at first and then has just stayed the same, just felt like a small pea at first but then I could feel more than one.
Thanks for the link scaevola will take a look.
Thanks PinkAvacado I'm really hoping that's the case.

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PinkAvocado · 20/01/2018 07:53

Mine still goes bigger when I’m ill but then back down to its ‘normal’ size. In a way, I wish it could just be taken out to eliminate any stress!

RedRosie · 20/01/2018 08:17

Hello Uneven. Flowers My DH has Lymphoma (a non-Hodgkins kind). If it is a lymphoma (and it may not be), there is so much they can do these days. Some people are cured with treatment and recover brilliantly. DH isn't in that bracket but is in remission after treatment. He's been through the mill, but is doing really well currently. Try to stay calm until you know what - if anything - you are up against. I know that's easier to say than to do.

I was with him during most of the tests ... the needle biopsy was fine - I would hope yours would be much more straightforward as they can access the nodes in your neck very easily. His was guided in a CT scanner as the affected nodes are deeper in the body. But that was fine too.

PM if I can help.

Original poster
Unevenbeard · 20/01/2018 18:18

Thank you so much RedRosie, I'm glad your DH's treatment is going well, sending all my best wishes to you both Flowers
I got my referral through this morning and my appointment is the middle of next week. Will keep you all updated, and thank you once again for all your advice and reassurance Flowers

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Chipsandchicken · 21/01/2018 17:23

Hope it all goes well. It's been over ten years since I had my Hodgkin's lymphoma.... x

Original poster
Unevenbeard · 26/01/2018 15:31

Hi all, had my consultation yesterday and they don't think it's anything to worry about due to its size but I'm having another ultrasound next week to check the structure of it and then a biopsy if required. Feeling a bit more positive now, thank you all for your advice and support Flowers

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