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Breast & Lymph Node Concerns
I am a 31 year old female and have had multiple ongoing problems that have been brushed aside.
Everything started with a complete hysterectomy at age 23 (leaving my ovaries). I was suffering from severe endometriosis. In the Summer of 2011. I had to go to the ER because of severe cramping. Come to find out I had cysts on my ovaries. My OBGYN went in and removed the cysts along with more endometriosis, a month and a half later he ended up taking both ovaries out because the endometriosis was coming back. Looking back on that last surgery when he removed both my ovaries (Aug 2011) it seems like a lot of my problems have come about and or gotten worse since then. They had a hard time getting me to stop bleeding after surgery. I had a huge bruised spot on my stomach for a little over 6 months, with a lot of internal pain to go along with it.
I have had ongoing breast pain for the past 5-7 years that doctors have blown off because all the mammogram has shown was an enlarged lymph node. Since the pain started it has continually gotten worse moving into the lymph nodes along both sides of my breasts and into my armpit area. Here recently I have noticed bruising like spots on my left breast. At times the lymph nodes in my groin area are painful too; again I have been blown off because I am ‘young’.
Over the summer I broke (shattered) my elbow which the bone has since healed according to the doctor, I am still in a lot of pain not so much in my elbow area but it feels as if it is in the bone and is slowly making its way up my arm and is now into my shoulders and neck. The ortho doc pretty much told me he doesn’t know why I’m still hurting (his actions show he doesn’t really care) since the bone is healed he doesn’t know what to do.
Here recently (about a year or so) I have noticed a lot of easy bruising that last for a long time (weeks).
I have no appetite but I make myself eat because I know I have to, but then I feel like I’m going to get sick. I have lost 15-20 pounds in the past 3 ½ months. I needed to and love it but I don’t think it’s the healthy way to do it.
Severe fatigue, no matter if I sleep 16 hours, 8 hours or 4 hours I am always drained.
History of migraines, currently on Toprimax to keep them under control..it was doing well for a while but now the headaches are slowly coming back.
A lot of confusion and forgetfulness about simple things.
Night sweats that would make you think someone peed the bed from head to toe
99-99.8 temps usually around mid day
High BP for the past 4 years and at times my medication doesn’t keep it under control.
Doctors believe less than a year ago I had a mini stroke (TIA? I think is what they called it) I believe I had another episode 12/4/2012, but they cannot tell me why tho.
I am tired of hearing “you’re too young for anything to be wrong”. If I am too young, why do I feel like I am 90 years old and dying inside? I hurt every day and have for quite a few years!
I work from home, some people seem to think I need to get out and find a part time job. And maybe that is because they think I sit at home and woller in self pitty, I don’t know, but in all reality I keep myself very active to keep my mind and body busy to keep from thinking about all of this. I have 4 dogs that keep me hopping, laundry of 4 people to keep up on and a house to keep clean…and lately a great group of friends to keep my spirits up via text messages or phone calls.
I have 2 beautiful kids (11 and 14 years old), I would love to act like a 31 year old mother for them.
I NEED HELP!
I am hoping someone can refer me to a doctor that 1. cares and 2. can figure out what is going on with me and help me get back to feeling at least half my age so I can live my life and raise my children.
Thank you for your time.
Got blood work results back...
WBC & RBC normal
GFR is flagged as low (98, normal for my age says should be 107)
EBV EAD ab Antibody test came back @ 1.5 (positive is >or=1.1 AI)
CMV by PCR
CMV Specimen Result is PLASMA
CMV DNA NOT DETECTED
When the doctor called my he claims I have mono..I don't feel 'sick' as people explain they feel when they have mono..
With the lymph nodes in along both sides of my breasts inside and out into my armpit area and groin area and now the bruise like spots on my left breast... along with the pain in the middle of my lower back, under my rib cage with deep breaths I am a little, ok I won't lie A LOT worried it is much more than mono!
Everything started with a complete hysterectomy at age 23 (leaving my ovaries). I was suffering from severe endometriosis. In the Summer of 2011. I had to go to the ER because of severe cramping. Come to find out I had cysts on my ovaries. My OBGYN went in and removed the cysts along with more endometriosis, a month and a half later he ended up taking both ovaries out because the endometriosis was coming back. Looking back on that last surgery when he removed both my ovaries (Aug 2011) it seems like a lot of my problems have come about and or gotten worse since then. They had a hard time getting me to stop bleeding after surgery. I had a huge bruised spot on my stomach for a little over 6 months, with a lot of internal pain to go along with it.
I have had ongoing breast pain for the past 5-7 years that doctors have blown off because all the mammogram has shown was an enlarged lymph node. Since the pain started it has continually gotten worse moving into the lymph nodes along both sides of my breasts and into my armpit area. Here recently I have noticed bruising like spots on my left breast. At times the lymph nodes in my groin area are painful too; again I have been blown off because I am ‘young’.
Over the summer I broke (shattered) my elbow which the bone has since healed according to the doctor, I am still in a lot of pain not so much in my elbow area but it feels as if it is in the bone and is slowly making its way up my arm and is now into my shoulders and neck. The ortho doc pretty much told me he doesn’t know why I’m still hurting (his actions show he doesn’t really care) since the bone is healed he doesn’t know what to do.
Here recently (about a year or so) I have noticed a lot of easy bruising that last for a long time (weeks).
I have no appetite but I make myself eat because I know I have to, but then I feel like I’m going to get sick. I have lost 15-20 pounds in the past 3 ½ months. I needed to and love it but I don’t think it’s the healthy way to do it.
Severe fatigue, no matter if I sleep 16 hours, 8 hours or 4 hours I am always drained.
History of migraines, currently on Toprimax to keep them under control..it was doing well for a while but now the headaches are slowly coming back.
A lot of confusion and forgetfulness about simple things.
Night sweats that would make you think someone peed the bed from head to toe
99-99.8 temps usually around mid day
High BP for the past 4 years and at times my medication doesn’t keep it under control.
Doctors believe less than a year ago I had a mini stroke (TIA? I think is what they called it) I believe I had another episode 12/4/2012, but they cannot tell me why tho.
I am tired of hearing “you’re too young for anything to be wrong”. If I am too young, why do I feel like I am 90 years old and dying inside? I hurt every day and have for quite a few years!
I work from home, some people seem to think I need to get out and find a part time job. And maybe that is because they think I sit at home and woller in self pitty, I don’t know, but in all reality I keep myself very active to keep my mind and body busy to keep from thinking about all of this. I have 4 dogs that keep me hopping, laundry of 4 people to keep up on and a house to keep clean…and lately a great group of friends to keep my spirits up via text messages or phone calls.
I have 2 beautiful kids (11 and 14 years old), I would love to act like a 31 year old mother for them.
I NEED HELP!
I am hoping someone can refer me to a doctor that 1. cares and 2. can figure out what is going on with me and help me get back to feeling at least half my age so I can live my life and raise my children.
Thank you for your time.
Got blood work results back...
WBC & RBC normal
GFR is flagged as low (98, normal for my age says should be 107)
EBV EAD ab Antibody test came back @ 1.5 (positive is >or=1.1 AI)
CMV by PCR
CMV Specimen Result is PLASMA
CMV DNA NOT DETECTED
When the doctor called my he claims I have mono..I don't feel 'sick' as people explain they feel when they have mono..
With the lymph nodes in along both sides of my breasts inside and out into my armpit area and groin area and now the bruise like spots on my left breast... along with the pain in the middle of my lower back, under my rib cage with deep breaths I am a little, ok I won't lie A LOT worried it is much more than mono!
Best Answer
Thank you for your post Butterfly. As far as the menopause goes I am on estorgen to help keep me out of the sudden surgical onset..
p.s. Since both of your ovaries were removed, the result would be the sudden onset of "surgical menopause." When this occurs at a very young age, the symptoms tend to be very severe. This could account for the night sweats you are experiencing, and possibly some of the other complaints you mentioned.
bb
bb
Hi,
It does sound like you have multiple medical problems going on, but they don't particularly sound related to breast cancer, which is what we deal with in this forum. Members of this community are mainly BC survivors and other volunteers generally not identified as medical professionals, so I'm afraid we can't provide much help with your variety of medical problems.
I'm glad your doctor has been doing testing, and came up with an answer to at least one part of the problem. The swollen lymph nodes, extreme fatigue, and pos. EBV all are consistent with mono. And no, you don't have to feel terrible with it; some people just feel very tired, and sometimes depressed as well, when they have mono, and the symptoms can persist for many, many months.
I hope you find a doctor who will keep pursuing answers in regard to your other problems.
Best wishes,
bluebutterfly
It does sound like you have multiple medical problems going on, but they don't particularly sound related to breast cancer, which is what we deal with in this forum. Members of this community are mainly BC survivors and other volunteers generally not identified as medical professionals, so I'm afraid we can't provide much help with your variety of medical problems.
I'm glad your doctor has been doing testing, and came up with an answer to at least one part of the problem. The swollen lymph nodes, extreme fatigue, and pos. EBV all are consistent with mono. And no, you don't have to feel terrible with it; some people just feel very tired, and sometimes depressed as well, when they have mono, and the symptoms can persist for many, many months.
I hope you find a doctor who will keep pursuing answers in regard to your other problems.
Best wishes,
bluebutterfly
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1. Are you having "hot flashes" during the day, in additon to the night sweats? If so, even though you are on ERT, the dose might need to be adjusted. If you are only having night sweats, however, they could be related to your other problems.
2. You stated that you have had at least 1, and maybe 2 TIAs, but that "they could not tell me why." Have your doctors not told you that uncontrolled, or poorly controlled, hypertension is a major risk factor for TIAs--and stroke?
3. Have you had your Vit D level checked? (Vit D deficiency has been associated with a number of symptoms and diseases.)
Once again, I hope a doctor will work closely with you to get to the bottom of your various medical issues, and help you understand why you are feeling so bad.
bb