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Is it possible that I have lymphoma?
Please bare with me, I have somewhat of a long story, and am anxious for some sort of an answer, as the doctors have not been able to come up with a diagosis.
4-6 weeks ago I had a sudden onset of constipation, abdominal cramping, inability to pass gas or stool. Severe bloating and abdominal pain came from this episode. After two days of pain and discomfort, I attended the ER for some answers. They believed my symptoms suggested constipation or some sort of bowel obstruction. I was given a fleet enema, and CitraMag to flush out my system. This made me feel better for about 8 hours. After which i was in pain again and feeling bloated. To cut to the chase, I attended many doctors appointments, and ER visits to get to the point I am at now. My last ER visit showed a rise in my WBC. Ultrasound showed borderline enlarged spleen and liver. As well as some mild bowel wall thickening. I was prescribed cipro and flagyl for one week.
My symptoms seemed to get better at the end of the round of antibiotics. However within a few days I was feeling abdominal pain again, and feeling very fatigue, on and off headaches and warm flushes in my face. By this time I had been referred to a GI specialist. He had me in for a CT Scan. The results for that are listed below:
FINDINGS:
There is mild wall thickening and haustral thickening of the distal descending colon extending towards the sigmoid. There may be diverticula in this region. There is no evidence of other abnormality in the area however at the present time. There is no pericolonic stranding. There is no abscess. There is no free fluid in the abdomen or pelvis. There is no bowel obstruction.
The intra-abdominal organs are all normal.
There are a few small lymphnodes in the root of the mesentery extending towards the right lower quadrant. The largest of these is evident in the midline and measures 12.7 x 8.8 mm.
IMPRESSION:
Mild wall thickening in the left colon as described. Etiology of this is not determined. This may reflect diverticular disease or even focal inflammatory change. There is no evidence of acute diverticulitis.
Colonoscopy can be considered.
Very mild mesenteric lymphadenophy. This is non-specific. It may be reactive. Etiology is not determined.
Following these results, the GI Specialist prescribed me cipro and flagyl again, this time for two weeks, and increased the daily dose of the flagyl from twice daily to three times daily.
During the course of this antibiotic trial I had lots of symptoms.
-Bowel movements were loose, contained mucus, and sometimes little black specks, almost like coffee grounds. Never saw any blood.
-Muscle cramps and severe muscle pains in arms. Would go away by the next day usually.
-Numbness in wrists, hands (pinky finger side only)
-Head aches
-Very tired / fatigue
-Loss of appetite for a couple days, really run down
-Back and chest pain
-Burning sensation in stomach
-Neck and shoulder pain
I am sure there are others that I cant remember at this time.
Near the end of this antibiotic period, I had a colonoscopy done. This showed some small diverticula. I was told otherwise my colon was healthy.
After finishing the medication last week (Wednesday October, 21st 2009) some symptoms have subsided, however some new ones have arised.
-Still feeling fatigue during the day, trouble sleeping (waking up with weird dreams during the night, usually around 4am)
-I noticed a lymph node in the left side of my neck, towards the back that seems to be a little larger that 1.0cm by 1.5cm. It seems like it is smaller in the morning, or after a warm shower, and later in the day or evening it seems to get larger. I also have noticed another lymph node on the right side of my neck, which is in the middle of the side of my neck ,just above the collar bone. I have some pain in the left side of my neck, not directly where the swollen lymph node is, or mass? not too sure.
-Over the past 4-6 weeks I have lost aprox. 20lbs.
-Some mild pain in lower left and right abdomen that comes and goes. Might notice it 5-8 times throughout the day.
-Bowel movements seem to be a little better.
-Head aches that come and go, not severe enough to knock me out.
-Some times will feel like a pin ***** pain on my leg or my arm.
If anyone could please shed some light on this , that would be greatly appreciated.
4-6 weeks ago I had a sudden onset of constipation, abdominal cramping, inability to pass gas or stool. Severe bloating and abdominal pain came from this episode. After two days of pain and discomfort, I attended the ER for some answers. They believed my symptoms suggested constipation or some sort of bowel obstruction. I was given a fleet enema, and CitraMag to flush out my system. This made me feel better for about 8 hours. After which i was in pain again and feeling bloated. To cut to the chase, I attended many doctors appointments, and ER visits to get to the point I am at now. My last ER visit showed a rise in my WBC. Ultrasound showed borderline enlarged spleen and liver. As well as some mild bowel wall thickening. I was prescribed cipro and flagyl for one week.
My symptoms seemed to get better at the end of the round of antibiotics. However within a few days I was feeling abdominal pain again, and feeling very fatigue, on and off headaches and warm flushes in my face. By this time I had been referred to a GI specialist. He had me in for a CT Scan. The results for that are listed below:
FINDINGS:
There is mild wall thickening and haustral thickening of the distal descending colon extending towards the sigmoid. There may be diverticula in this region. There is no evidence of other abnormality in the area however at the present time. There is no pericolonic stranding. There is no abscess. There is no free fluid in the abdomen or pelvis. There is no bowel obstruction.
The intra-abdominal organs are all normal.
There are a few small lymphnodes in the root of the mesentery extending towards the right lower quadrant. The largest of these is evident in the midline and measures 12.7 x 8.8 mm.
IMPRESSION:
Mild wall thickening in the left colon as described. Etiology of this is not determined. This may reflect diverticular disease or even focal inflammatory change. There is no evidence of acute diverticulitis.
Colonoscopy can be considered.
Very mild mesenteric lymphadenophy. This is non-specific. It may be reactive. Etiology is not determined.
Following these results, the GI Specialist prescribed me cipro and flagyl again, this time for two weeks, and increased the daily dose of the flagyl from twice daily to three times daily.
During the course of this antibiotic trial I had lots of symptoms.
-Bowel movements were loose, contained mucus, and sometimes little black specks, almost like coffee grounds. Never saw any blood.
-Muscle cramps and severe muscle pains in arms. Would go away by the next day usually.
-Numbness in wrists, hands (pinky finger side only)
-Head aches
-Very tired / fatigue
-Loss of appetite for a couple days, really run down
-Back and chest pain
-Burning sensation in stomach
-Neck and shoulder pain
I am sure there are others that I cant remember at this time.
Near the end of this antibiotic period, I had a colonoscopy done. This showed some small diverticula. I was told otherwise my colon was healthy.
After finishing the medication last week (Wednesday October, 21st 2009) some symptoms have subsided, however some new ones have arised.
-Still feeling fatigue during the day, trouble sleeping (waking up with weird dreams during the night, usually around 4am)
-I noticed a lymph node in the left side of my neck, towards the back that seems to be a little larger that 1.0cm by 1.5cm. It seems like it is smaller in the morning, or after a warm shower, and later in the day or evening it seems to get larger. I also have noticed another lymph node on the right side of my neck, which is in the middle of the side of my neck ,just above the collar bone. I have some pain in the left side of my neck, not directly where the swollen lymph node is, or mass? not too sure.
-Over the past 4-6 weeks I have lost aprox. 20lbs.
-Some mild pain in lower left and right abdomen that comes and goes. Might notice it 5-8 times throughout the day.
-Bowel movements seem to be a little better.
-Head aches that come and go, not severe enough to knock me out.
-Some times will feel like a pin ***** pain on my leg or my arm.
If anyone could please shed some light on this , that would be greatly appreciated.
A PET scan would show if these lymph nodes are hot spots. Only a biopsy of a lymph node would rule out lymphoma. Any itching or weight loss? Night sweats?
Lorrie62
Lorrie62
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