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Breast cancer or lymphoma -- or something else???
by chrispysmom, Jul 25, 2009 01:41PM
I also posted this in the undiagnosed symptoms forum, as I'm not sure cancer is involved (and am hoping it is not). I hope that's okay.
Over the past several months, I have been developing a laundry list of strange or troubling symptoms that are making it increasingly hard to function, and none of them are going away. I'm not sure if they are all related or just separate problems. I have a new primary doctor (my old one retired) who has not been very helpful.
The symptoms include:
Serious fatigue that makes it hard for me to do what I need to do (work and caring for my son). I become easily winded and get through many days through sheer force of will. Everything seems to take esxtra effort, This has been going on for months.
Swollen lymph nodes, most notably under my arms, but also in my neck. These have remained more than a month. I don't really know where/how to check to see if it is more widespread, Soemtimes they are tender, and sometimes I feel shooting pain in and around them. (I have not had any infections in my breasts, face, neck or throat to my knowledge.)
A small itchy patch on the back of my right forearm that has persisted for four months. Sometimes there is major swelling under it, and other times, just minor swelling. Sometimes, there is one raised reddish lump, other times it has a few tiny red lumps surrounding it. They do not resemble pimples. There is no dark crusting, and it does not resemble pictures of skin cancer that I have seen.
Swollen ankes and edema, even though I am watching my salt intake. Some days it is really bad, others it is mild.
Swollen and tender abdomen that sometimes feels achy. I have a long history of IBS, but this feels different.
Friends and family have commented recently on several occasions that my eyes "look funny" at times. I look in the mirror and see some discoloration or cloudiness, especially first thing in the morning. I don't know if this is connected, but just in case...
Frequently feeling warm/overheated and fairly frequent night sweats for over a month. I had lost my thermometer, but recently got a new one and confirmed that I have an off-and-on low-grade fever. Normally, my temprature is 97.9, and I usually get cold easily, even though I live in Florida. Lately, I am warm, which is very weird for me. I am 43, but I have no other signs of perimenopause and don't think that is what's going on.
I'm also losing lots of hair (it's on the floor, on all my belongings, in my brushes, etc.), much more than usual, although my hair doesn't look that thin on my head.
Some important background info. I have had fibrocystic breasts and adenomas for many years. In 2004, I had an ultrasound-guided core biopsy of a suspicous solid nodule in my right breast. It came back negative. The nodule remains and has not significantly grown. I was supposed to get an MRI performed more than a year ago after "suspicious" results from amy annual mammo and ultrasound, but my insurance wouldn't cover it, and I could not afford it.
More than a month ago, when I noticed the lymph node under my right arm was swollen and tender, it concerned me, so I went to have my annual exams done. My most recent mammogram/ultrasound results have come back with the recommendation that I get another core biopsy on the nodule. I have an appointment with my surgeon and am going to ask to have the whole nodule removed, as a great deal of anxiety, money, and time are being spent on testing it in a piecemeal fashion.
However, the most recent ultrasound also noted the swollen lymph node under my right arm (2.2 com) and the other in my left (1.0 com).
When I tried to tell my new primary about my list, he told me he could only address two symptoms at a time and asked me to tell him which were highest priority. Instead of answering his question, I asked if he could order a complete lab work-up, and i had it done yesterday. I am awaiting results on Monday or Tuesday. I'm not sure if he covered everything, but hopefully I'll have a start.
While I look for a new doctor (which can take weeks to get the initial appointment), is there anything else I can do or any other tests I should request so that I can get info to start addressing my problem(s)? Does anyone here have any idea what could be going on with me?
Thank you very much!
Over the past several months, I have been developing a laundry list of strange or troubling symptoms that are making it increasingly hard to function, and none of them are going away. I'm not sure if they are all related or just separate problems. I have a new primary doctor (my old one retired) who has not been very helpful.
The symptoms include:
Serious fatigue that makes it hard for me to do what I need to do (work and caring for my son). I become easily winded and get through many days through sheer force of will. Everything seems to take esxtra effort, This has been going on for months.
Swollen lymph nodes, most notably under my arms, but also in my neck. These have remained more than a month. I don't really know where/how to check to see if it is more widespread, Soemtimes they are tender, and sometimes I feel shooting pain in and around them. (I have not had any infections in my breasts, face, neck or throat to my knowledge.)
A small itchy patch on the back of my right forearm that has persisted for four months. Sometimes there is major swelling under it, and other times, just minor swelling. Sometimes, there is one raised reddish lump, other times it has a few tiny red lumps surrounding it. They do not resemble pimples. There is no dark crusting, and it does not resemble pictures of skin cancer that I have seen.
Swollen ankes and edema, even though I am watching my salt intake. Some days it is really bad, others it is mild.
Swollen and tender abdomen that sometimes feels achy. I have a long history of IBS, but this feels different.
Friends and family have commented recently on several occasions that my eyes "look funny" at times. I look in the mirror and see some discoloration or cloudiness, especially first thing in the morning. I don't know if this is connected, but just in case...
Frequently feeling warm/overheated and fairly frequent night sweats for over a month. I had lost my thermometer, but recently got a new one and confirmed that I have an off-and-on low-grade fever. Normally, my temprature is 97.9, and I usually get cold easily, even though I live in Florida. Lately, I am warm, which is very weird for me. I am 43, but I have no other signs of perimenopause and don't think that is what's going on.
I'm also losing lots of hair (it's on the floor, on all my belongings, in my brushes, etc.), much more than usual, although my hair doesn't look that thin on my head.
Some important background info. I have had fibrocystic breasts and adenomas for many years. In 2004, I had an ultrasound-guided core biopsy of a suspicous solid nodule in my right breast. It came back negative. The nodule remains and has not significantly grown. I was supposed to get an MRI performed more than a year ago after "suspicious" results from amy annual mammo and ultrasound, but my insurance wouldn't cover it, and I could not afford it.
More than a month ago, when I noticed the lymph node under my right arm was swollen and tender, it concerned me, so I went to have my annual exams done. My most recent mammogram/ultrasound results have come back with the recommendation that I get another core biopsy on the nodule. I have an appointment with my surgeon and am going to ask to have the whole nodule removed, as a great deal of anxiety, money, and time are being spent on testing it in a piecemeal fashion.
However, the most recent ultrasound also noted the swollen lymph node under my right arm (2.2 com) and the other in my left (1.0 com).
When I tried to tell my new primary about my list, he told me he could only address two symptoms at a time and asked me to tell him which were highest priority. Instead of answering his question, I asked if he could order a complete lab work-up, and i had it done yesterday. I am awaiting results on Monday or Tuesday. I'm not sure if he covered everything, but hopefully I'll have a start.
While I look for a new doctor (which can take weeks to get the initial appointment), is there anything else I can do or any other tests I should request so that I can get info to start addressing my problem(s)? Does anyone here have any idea what could be going on with me?
Thank you very much!
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