any advice? 19yr old female, swollen glands all over body.

[elizabeth993659]

Hi everyone, wondering if anyone can help me out here!

I am a 19 year old female.  For the last approximately 10 days I have had swollen glands in my neck, behind my ears, under my arms, in my elbows and now i think also under my collarbone.  I am also experiencing itching all over my body over the glands but also in other areas.  I'm a bit more tired than usual but not hugely.  The last maybe 3 days I've lost my appetite.  I have no other symptoms.  The only thing that's bothering me is that the glands are painful.  I am sure it's not mono, i have no fever and don't feel ill enough.  
Previous medical history is osteosarcoma (bone cancer, all clear since 2005), endometriosis (controlled) and I also know i have igA deficiency with an undetectable serum level.
Any ideas? Im not hugely concerned but i am experiencing more symptoms with the fatigue and appetite loss which is slightly worrying.  I got back from a trip to China 2 weeks ago as well, although I had a swollen node in my neck before i left.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks, Libby.

[FurballsMom]

I agree, because if this isn't the Hodgekins, it could still be autoimmune.  So, the doctor definitely needs to investigate this.

[paperclip46]

Go back to your Doctor anyway. The way Doctors work is that they give the most likely diagnosis first and the necessary meds. Then if that does not work they will investigate further and give the next most likely diagnosis. If that does not work, then they must send you to a Specialist

There are so many different things it could be, so give your Doctor a chance to investigate it further.

Good luck with the exams.

[elizabeth993659]

Thanks very much for your help, i've decided to give it a week and if it's not better go back to the doctor and ask her to at least run some blood tests.  I'm from the UK so my oncologist doesn't have any medical assistant to ask, he has a secretary but she has no medical knowledge and just deals with appointments.  
Unfortunately my doctor is unlikely to do much to help..i sort of lost faith in her when she suggested tonsilitis when i had my tonsils removed(seriously!) and the NHS here means doctors wait as long as possible to order blood tests etc and then you usually have to wait a week or 2 just to get them done.  Very frustrating but I don't think i have cause to go to my oncologist just yet! plus i have uni exams just now anyway so that's not really an option :(
it's probably nothing to worry about anyway...
thanks again! Libby

[treemarks]

Just be careful.  Your symptoms sound familiar.  When my husband was 19, he had swollen lymph nodes and began to itch all over his body.  It got to the point where he would use a screwdriver to itch his feet.   The doctor could find nothing and insinuated to his mother that it was all in his head.  She took him to an allergist who diagnosed him as having Hodgkin's Disease.  He's 45 now and has been declared 'cured' 16 years now.  I would hate to think you would have two shots against you so young in ife,  first osteosarcoma and then Hodgkins; but I would seriously get another opinion - especially if they have increased in size.  Have you considered calling your oncologist's medical assistant just to see what they have to say?  It wouldn't hurt.  Good luck to you and I would be happy to be way out there on this one.  Please let us know if you find out the results.  I'll put you on my watch list.

[elizabeth993659]

I went to the doctor and she gave me antibiotics which i completed a weeks course of a couple of days ago and it's made no difference, they are bigger if anything! temperature's normal and everything else i think..
I know it sounds suspicious because of the osteosarcoma but if it was anything malignant it would more likely just be swollen nodes in one area surely? i feel ok in general so i don;t think i need to rush to onco just yet as i have a check up in september anyway.
Thank you both for your input!:)

[treemarks]

  Swollen lymphnodes and history of osteosarcoma = get to your doctor or oncologist ASAP.  

[paperclip46]

Please see your Doctor.  Sounds like an infection. Have you checked your temperature? BP?
pulse rate etc.

[elizabeth993659]

oh and also i have had some chest pain, i think from swollen glands but have no cough etc.