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919623 tn?1258154330

Weight loss, Swollen lymph nodes, night sweats

I've lost 42 pounds not trying, it's just coming off. They found 2 nodules on my right lung. I tested postive for strep throat last week and was put on Penicillin and it's now been 7 days. My throat no longer hurts but the back of my neck feels extremely tight and I keep telling them that. I'm still running fevers so I returned to the doctor yesterday, had a fever while there and then she found the swollen lymph nodes. She asked me how long they were like that and I told her they were like that the last time I was there. My biggest complaint is the night sweats, that wake me up to change clothes. I can't get a good nights rest. I fear cancer of course but my doctor is now sending me to a cardiologist to have an echo done of my heart.  I worry that I need a pet scan but who am I to say? Should I insist on the pet scan?
15 Responses
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919623 tn?1258154330
Why "thank you" very much! That is very kind!
Helpful - 0
919623 tn?1258154330
Hi Madlyn,
As I told iambutterfly, I've been callled in to discuss the results of the CT scans!  That set me in worry mode for sure! My appointment is Friday. Wish me luck!!!
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919623 tn?1258154330
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! I have another doctor appointment to on Friday to discuss the results of the CT scans! I dont' like that because normally they just call me and tell me they are negative.  Today, they called and asked me to come in!  My stomach is turning!
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Avatar universal
I have been reading your posts.  My thoughts and prayers are also with you.  
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Avatar universal
I pray the results of all tests will be ok. Sometimes knowing what you are dealing with can remove a lot of stress, then you can concentrate on what to do. Let me know how things go. Best of luck.

Blessings,
Madlyn
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684030 tn?1415612323
best of luck with the biopsy... my thoughts and prayers are with you.
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919623 tn?1258154330
I finally got a new doctor and I'm having the biopsy on the 17th! This doctor immediatly questioned the other doctors thoughts and sent me for 2 more CT's two days later! With barium of course! So he is on it and quite upset about the other doctor!  He actually said to me, "now with your permission I'd like to test you for cancer because that's what all these symptoms lead up to" and I actually started crying and said "yes of course, do it, that's what my family and I have been thinking all along but couldn't get the other doctor to do anything".  This guy is as gentle like no other I've ever seen!  I think he is going to be wonderful!
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919623 tn?1258154330
Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear that about your son! I do get discouraged from doctor at times, but now that I do have these results from the cardiologist, my primary doctor just might listen to me!  I am going to insist that at the very least he feel my lymph nodes in my neck because even still today, the right side is terribly swollen and my neck feels tense and tight. "I thank all of you who have responded to me"...it truly helps!!!
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Avatar universal
Please if there is the slightest bit of doubt in your mind and the doc doesn't want to do biopsy, then there are others out there. If your ins. does not require a referral seek out a surgeon and make an appt to see him. You know your body, they go according to books. My son's labs were great,but what started out as enlarged nodes under his armpit, turned into nodes over entire body before I could get them to biopsy. He had been put in hospital and given numerous kinds of IV antibiotics, only to have nodes get largerand more. Finally diagnosed with T-cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in the 4th stage.  He fought from 6/89 to 1/98. Had a wonderful doc that diagnosed him at Emory/ Egleston in Atlanta. He will be retiring 6/25 after 30 years, but I am sure he will continue with research after a short break. Bottom line, listen to your gut feeling. It's your body. If your doc gets angry because you sought another opinion, well so-be-it. Keep posted and I will keep you in my prayers

Blessings,
Madlyn
Helpful - 0
684030 tn?1415612323
I would definitely keep the focus on the symptoms that you've mentioned.
... drenching night sweats
... rapid and excessive weight loss
... on-going fevers
    and, especially, the
... persistently swollen lymph glands.
I still think that your immune system is in overload and is aggressively fighting off something... not necessarily Cancer... but, something of major significance.
If Cancer is of a concern, and who wouldn't be concerned, a biopsy can confirm or eliminate that as a possibility.
Personally, I'd push for a biopsy of one of those lymph nodes. Suggest or request a referral for an Oncologist or an ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist). Either one can perform a biopsy via needle aspiration or surgical excision (surgical biopsies tend to be more conclusive). If they can't do a biopsy, they would know of several surgeons who can.
As always, take care...
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919623 tn?1258154330
Ok, so I had the double cardiac cath and they found no blockage in any of the coronary arteries! This is good!!!  I am, however at 45% ejection fraction according to this test rather than 40%!  The cardiologist there said I do not need a mitral valve replacement at this time and he feels that they can work with my medicines for the time being, so he said he will discuss it with my cardiologist and see what they could come up with.  I already take 25mg Coreg twice a day, 30mg Lisinopril once a day and one baby aspirin.  I got the follow up instructions from the doctor there and spotted a note that he apparently started to write on the wrong paper and it was medicines he was going to suggest to my doctor and a few of them were what I am already on, so this should be interesting!!!!  I have an appointment on Wednesday!  I can't help myself to still wonder if there is cancer in there somewhere because of the weight loss, night sweats and the swolen lymph nodes!!!  (Which by the way they are still swollen!!!)  Do you have any advise as to what questions I should ask???
Helpful - 0
684030 tn?1415612323
Wow! that is a shocker... sorry to hear that.
Based on your symptoms, your gender and your age... I never would have guessed
that your problem was heart related. But, at least you're now getting some answers
and insights about your condition. Hopefully, the cardio catheter process will remedy
the problem or relieve your discomfort.
My sincerest prayers are with you... take care and good luck!
Helpful - 0
919623 tn?1258154330
Well I went to the cardiologist today and certainly did not get the news I wanted to hear!!!  It seems my heart has decreased in function and they will be admitting me to St Johns Heart Hospital tomorrow!  Not on just one side but the whole heart. The left side, the right side and the mitral valve!  They will be doing a double cardiac catheterization and will do what's necessary at that time!!!  He stated my ejection fraction has dropped back down to 40%.  I'm still in shock!  
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919623 tn?1258154330
Thank you so mucy for your response. I returned to the doctor just yesterday and now I'm down 44 pounds. He ran a check on my immune system and what he said was that my numbers are good but who is to say if the quailty of those numbers are good. He said that he doesnt' think that there is anything they could do and so the only thing he feels necessary to check is my heart so he did schedule an echo on the 18th and to see the cardiologist.  The night sweats are just awful. Yesterday I went to dinner with friends and broke out in a full sweat in the restaurant when everyone else was comfortable but by the time we got to my house I was freezing.  Woke up in the night moving from the bed to couch after changing clothes allowing time for the bed to dry. He did say that the right side of my neck is more pronounced than the left but still doesnt' think anything about cancer.  I don't know.....I'll go to the cardiologist but if I don't get any anwers I'll change doctors if necessary.  I'm not loosing all this weight by trying!  Thank you again!
Helpful - 0
684030 tn?1415612323
I think that at the very least you should insist on a CT scan. And, if the the swollen lymph nodes and the night sweats persist... a biopsy of the lymph nodes may be in order.
However, a doctor has to order those types of procedures. And, of course, there's that whole health insurance approval thing that always requires procedural justification.
Anyway, not to be an alarmist, but... my mom's medical problems started with a swollen lymph node on the right side of her throat, drenching night sweats and an uncontrollable itch all over her body. 4 months were spent testing and treating her for allergies when all the while she had Hodgekin's Disease.
Now, this isn't to say that this is what you have; but, swollen lymph glands and night sweats would indicate that your immune system is definitely fighting off "something."
And, I would seriously question if that "something" is truly related to your heart.
Helpful - 0
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