Lymphoma fears

[coastergirl]

Just to say, I'm seeing the GP tomorrow. I'm not looking for medical advice as such, just information while I'm waiting. Please don't tell me off for asking here.

I've been having really bad night sweats and random episodes of sweating during the day for a while, especially my face and head, soaking wet hair. It's horrible. I'd put it down to medication side effects or peri menopause but both have been ruled out. I had bloods a few weeks ago ( FBC, HbA1c, oestrogen, LG, FSH, liver, kidneys, iron, urea and electrolytes, folate), all came back as normal. I've also got a lump in the right side of my neck towards the back, been there several weeks at least, and I've been having pain in my ribs for quite a while. I put this down to an injury last year, but it had completely gone for a wihile. A few days ago I realised I also had rib pain in a different area. A few hours ago I read an article designed to raise awareness of blood cancer and lymphoma, from a lady who had night sweats she put down to menopause, and it was stage 4 blood cancer. My symptoms are all listed.

So now I'm terrified. I'm not asking what I should do, because I'm already on that. But what I'd like to know is if there is anyone who can tell me whether I'm likely to have something serious after my bloods were OK? I know they weren't specific tests for cancer. I don't know what to think. But tomorrow seems a long way away so any info would be great.

I didn't notice any thyroid tests in your list - were your levels checked? Also, my understanding is that hormone tests to "diagnose" peri-menopause are pretty unreliable. You can have hot flashes/night sweats without necessarily showing hormone imbalances.

Speaking as someone who consults Dr. Google far too often myself, I recommend you stop googling symptoms. You are just scaring yourself. The odds are very good that you do not have cancer. Step away from the keyboard!

Good luck at the GP tomorrow; I'll be sending good vibes your way. 😀

Thanks for your response. Annoyingly, I hadn't googled at all! It was just an article I came across when reading something else, and I connected the dots. I thought they were going to check my thyroid but they don't seem to have done this time. I've had it checked multiple times in the past though and it's been fine. Of course it doesn't mean it is now.

That was to @CulturalNomad. And thanks for your good wishes.

I forgot to mention that when my son was 18 he noticed a lump on his neck and, after much googling, was convinced he had lymphoma. Turned out it was completely benign, nothing whatsoever to do with cancer. Ten years later and he's healthy as can be.

That's good to hear. Hopefully it'll be the same for me. It's just the combination of symptoms plus feeling generally rubbish that's got me panicking.

The lump will need to be scanned and the rib pain looked into. When you had the bloods done what was the GPs explanation/ plan about those? Not saying you have lymphoma as probably just a node but there needs to be some sort of investigation when people turn up with lumps

@Notinthemood12 they were looking for signs of perimenopause or "another organic cause for the sweating". I called for the results and collected a copy, but haven't had any follow up. The problem is I had that appointment and bloods at a local 7 day service as my surgery couldn't fit me in, but there seems to be little communication between the two. Thanks for explaining what will happen. Is it usually done quickly?

I would email the your GP practice manager, say that as nothing showed that would indicate the cause of the lump/enlarged node, you will need to be seen. Like I said it’s probably just a reactive lymph node that will go down but as you’re worried the “oh well case closed” approach won’t be helpful! If it goes down when waiting for the scan you can cancel

I saw the GP this morning and he has referred me to ENT on the two week wait pathway. The accompanying letter is a little scary but I'd much rather it be properly checked. He said it doesn't feel particularly sinister but any unexplained lump in the neck can be referred, especially along with my other symptoms. Also having more bloods done, this time including thyroid. Thank you for your help.

Really hope you'll be ok, it is scary being put on the 2 week pathway but really is the best way to quickly dismiss any nasties. Good luck!

Glad to know they are on it for you

Have you lost weight recently without trying? A friend was diagnosed with Stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma and her only symptoms were drenching night sweats and unexplained weight loss. She felt great and was pleased she had lost weight. The shock of the diagnosis floored everyone. She had eight rounds of chemo then two years maintenance treatment with Rituximab. She managed seven years of remission before it returned. Her oncologist had always told her it would never be cured but could be managed and it was. Interestingly she did not lose her hair during chemo. With her chemo 50% of patients do suffer hair loss and 50% don’t. Good luck, honestly you will get through it if it is the worst news. She did.

The pain and lump in your side will be an enlarged spleen. At its worst her spleen was 25 cm when it should be 12cm.

Thanks all. I've just checked and the spleen is on the opposite side to where my pain is. No weight loss. It's really the neck lump and these awful sweats.

If anybody is still around, I had my appointment with ENT on Monday. I was asked lots of questions and sent for an ultrasound on my neck. The doctor I saw told me they would have results in a week and they would probably write to me if it was all ok, but I might get a call. The doctor who scanned me said it was a lymph node and he thought it looked okay. Again said it would be a week. Then today, two days later, I got a call giving me a telephone appointment for this Friday. I've no idea what to think! Symptoms are just as bad.

I am currently having very similar going on, waiting for scan, considering paying private just to get the scan done faster. Mine is a little different as im under endocrinology and lots of investigations for other health issues, but random lumps which seem to be on lymph nodes is really concerning me.

Its scary knowing something unusual is going on with your body and the wait for answers always feels far too long, but I think im trying to take the view that its pointless to panic until any bad news is given and there are lots of harmless reasons for swollen lymph nodes.

Hopefully you will get some answers with your call

I got the all clear this morning. It's a lymph node that for some reason has swollen up and doesn't want to go down, but looks normal on scan. I need to go back to the gp about my other symptoms, but it's good news.

@healthstress I really hope you have the same outcome.

Thanks to those who offered their thoughts when I was worried.

Such good news OP. You can relax and enjoy the long weekend now 😊

I had to have a lymph node biopsy 2 years ago. I was told by the Dr doing the procedure that since the covid vaccinations, enlarged lymph node investigation had increased, especially in women.
Mine was thankfully benign. Sharing as it may help some posters.

That's interesting. So many things seem to have increased since covid. My close friend lost her husband to a cardiac arrest last summer. He was on intensive care before he passed away and she was told by a nurse that it was a completely different job since covid, much sadder. She said most of the patients like my friend's husband used to survive, now most of them don't. Not relevant to this thread, just reminded me.

I will be doing very little this weekend as I have an awful cold, but at least that worry has gone.

Thanks for sharing your good news, @coastergirl ! Take care of that cold and have a good weekend😀

@coastergirl hi op !
did you get to bottom of this ?
im going through same - night sweats and random bursts of intense body heat ( normally a cold person so pretty weird !) got referres to ent for lymph node also also breast clinic for under arm nodes but got told both looked normal on ultrasound.
bloods all normal but still no explanation for sweats ? Or lymph nodes

@Lkakpk no, it's only been a few days since I got my ultrasound results of my neck. Really need answers to the sweats though because it's awful. Seems the bloods for menopause might not be that reliable though, so it could still be that.

@coastergirl its horrible isnt it ?! Hos old are you ? Im 34 . Doctor said its not very likely a reason for it at 34 but obv there is always a chance . Are your sheets drenched ? Mine arent , i just need to remove my top. IWhat suggestions has your doc made?

I've just turned 40. Going to try and go back to the gp this week to see what the next steps are.