Swollen abdominal lymph nodes

[hppymom24]

Hi.  I'm Amy, 32 year old woman with 4 beautiful children.  

My question is regarding some swollen lymph nodes in my abdomen.  I have had Crohn's for 11 years now and have had 4 surgeries (resections and one take down of illieostomy).  A year ago, I had a CT Scan done of my abdomen and they noticed that my abdomanl lymph nodes were 1/2 inch in diameter.  They wanted to repeat the cat scan and I just had that done last week.  Now, my lymph nodes are measuring 1 inch in diameter in my abdomen.  My gastro. Dr. mentioned that one concern he had was lymphoma??  I'm really scared to death..........

I just heard from him today and he told met hat he talked to the surgeon who just operated on my back in July and wondered if that surgeon happened to notice the swollen nodes while he was operating on my intestines.  The surgeon didn't really look at them but said that I could come back in 3 months and they can look at them again and if they're more swollen, they'll do a surgical biopsy on them.  

I'm so stressed and having been looking up stuff on the internet with no real success.  

I have four children, 8 and under.  Our youngest is 4 months old and I'm worried that I won't get to raise my kids.  Any advice, I would so much appreciate.

Thanks,
Amy

[lizziecee]

I am so sorry to hear of your current problems, especially with 4 young children.
I was dx with Crohn's when I was 24 yrs old - now a young 62 yrs, when my original gastro said I wouldn't live through the laparotomy - no colonoscopies idn those far off days.

Although I have had many severe rectal haemorragheas due to ulcers and crypt abscesses in my GI tract, I thankfully have had no resections - too many skips to deal with.  My gastros have always dealt with flares by steroids in the short term, and now by immodulators, which I am thankful to say, has at last got the disease under control. At my last endoscopy, 4 months ago,  my gastro found strictures in my small bowel, but I don't have any symptoms at present, and know when I need to go the ER.My first gastro at the West Middlesex in London told me to be wary of surgeons - the more they cut out the gastro tract the worse the diarrhea becomes, and I am a survivor of his advice.It has not been an easy road, but I am still here today - reasonably well, althought I broke a bone in my foot last week, most likely due to steroids depleting the bones.Still struggling on crutches.

To my knowledge I have had no problem with lymph nodes in my abdomen, although I got breast cancer in 2003 which had spread to my lymph nodes in the armpit. I had a lumpectomy, total axillary removal because of the spread to the lymph nodes, chemo and radiotherapy. Currently doing well. I am self injecting methotrexate 12.5.mg once weekly, and I do know and have been told by my gastro, that a side effect of both methotrexate and FEC chemo could be lymphoma. I have monthly blood tests, wbc, lft, kidney etc. and all have been fine for the 6 years I have been on this chemo - with a short break for FEC chemo for breast cancer.

I wish I could help you further. Could you possibly get a second opinion with another gastro who has more experience of Crohn's? I have had some really useless gastro's in my long history of Crohn's. I now have a young, very intelligent and committed gastro, who worked in a leper colony in Africa and with Aids in London, England. IBD is his passion - whatever turns you on.

Amy - I don't understand why/how you had surgery last July and the surgeon said "he would look at your lymph nodes in 3 months" why have you not had them looked at since? With my past experience of Crohn's and breast cancer, this seems to me to be a serious situation and you must see a gastro urgently.

Do you live in England? If so, you can contact me at: ***@****, and I can put you in touch with some of the best gastros in England - there is a dedicated IBD hospital at St. Marks,Harrow, Middx. that could help you.
Please be proactive - you have 4 kids depending on you to survive.

Love, Liz.

[aransdell_2002]

I am a 31 yr old mother of 2 wonderful children. Lastnight I rushed my oldest child whom is 12 to the ER and the DR said she had swollen Lymphnodes in her G I tract the "could be the start" of Chorn's. SHe has had bloody stools, a lot of pain in her belly, and never told me anythign abotu it til the other day when I saw her face was flush, she was sweating badly, and doubled over. Thats when I rushed her to the ER begging them to help her. Now she can not eat solid food, and has trouble with liquids. If My daughter does have this what can I do to ease her pain. I am scared. My children are my reason for living. Please help me.

Michelle

[cdpgirl]

Dear Amy,
I am 33 and have 2 kids.  I have Crohn's for almost 5 years.  I recently just found out my abdominal lymp nodes were swollen as well.  I have already met with a cancer doctor and I'm seeing him again in a month.  He also mentioned Lymphoma.  But as for me I'm just taking it day by day.  I don't know for sure that's what I have and intill I find out I'm not gonna worry.  We've already talked about treatment which would be Chemo. but because I'm so young I should have a high sucsess rate.  I think you should just make sure you find a doctor who takes this seriously.  My gastro wouldn't let up on me till I got into see the cancer doctor..  I just want you to know you are n't alone.
Carrie

[harmonymoon]

I have a 9 year old son. Has had bloody,mucus stools since Labor day weekend. He was diagnosed with C-Diff, and has been on medication since mid November. It is NOT getting any better. His Dr now thinks it may be a false positive for C-diff. He had an upper GI today to check for Chron's, that came back normal. The only thing the Dr said was that he has swollen lymph nodes in his intestines. And that we have to go see a pediatric GI dr next week. Does anyone have any idea what the swollen lymph nodes may indicate, I am extremely nervous about all of this, as well as my son being nervous.

ANGI

[tamm354]

Hi

Taking care of your body is the best thing you can do. Your diet can play such a huge part in your body's health that you should try and optimize your diet as much as possible for good health. Once you begin to study the effects of food on your body you will be amazed.

You must have a correct diet, not just healthy but super healthy!

Theres a guide at this site which will explain what you need to do:

www.lymphedemaadvice.com

Your emotions and thoughts are important and must not be overlooked aswell. Stay positive in mind and this will have a positive effect on your bdoy and unfortunately, vice versa.

For more information on the lymphatic system there's a site which gives good advice:

http://www.lymphadvice.com


Good luck and stay happy!