Could I Have Cancer?

[melrose17]

Over the past few months I've developed some odd symptoms that are now starting to scare me especially after a oncologist nurse suggested I may have a Thyroid condition.

6 months ago: I started having frequent night sweats. My mom says sometimes she walks in and it looks like someone dumped a bucket of water on me. I've never had night sweats before, now for the past 6 or so months i have them at least 5 out of 7 nights.

4 months ago: mild back pain, mostly in my back in the bones but some times my thigh bones and shoulder bones hurt as well.

3 months ago: I developed ammenorea as a result of cysts on my left ovary which my doctor said was because of a low estrogen level. My doctor also ran a couple of other tests and said everything else came back normal (although she didn't do a blood count or platelet level or anything like that. just basic blood work)

2 months: light itching and tingling all over the body but w/ no rash or skin issues.  

about two weeks ago: decreased appetite. I can go about fourteen to twenty hours without being hungry. I find myself eating small portions as well. How much I eat food and the amount of food I need to feel full has decreased. Also I developed a sensitivity to cold; violent chills. I always have layers on.

about a week ago: frequent light headedness. I often feel very "spacey" as if there's a fog covering my brain. Almost lateral to the feeling of being in a daydream 24/7. also my glands in my neck and armpits have gone hard but not tender.


I'm seventeen just so that you have that information. I also have a history of migraines due to a slightly enlarged pituitary gland. But that was nothing too alarming for my doctor and the migraines have sinced cleared up on their own. During that time I was on tylenol 3 to treat the migraines and topamax to prevent them. I don't know if that's relevent or not.

[melrose17]

Thank you for your quick and honest reply! I have scheduled an appointment for next week. My doctor would have liked to see me earlier but he's so busy! He seemed a bit concerned to me when I talked to him very briefly on the phone between his appointments so I guess he's planning to do a whole battery of tests. I'm a bit concerned.

It's funny you mention Hodgkin's. I actually don't have a history of HL but of NHL. I had a great aunt who died of it in '03 and she's blood related through my father so I was a bit concerned for NHL.

[hopeshell]

I think it is important that you go to your doctor and tell him the list just like you posted.  All of those things together could be a red flag.  Hodgkin's lymphoma causes night sweats like you describe, as well as those other symptoms.   But, there are many conditions that cause those vague symptoms.  You need to insist that your doctor gives you complete testing to figure out what is going on.  Don't wait!  Any cancer or disease is more easily cured when caught early.   Best wishes!