Painful lymph nodes through the body (2 years+)

[zerocake]

Hey guys I'm a 22 year old male. Apart from my eyesight I've always felt and been healthy. I first noticed pain under both my armpits this was 2 years ago, I immediately went to the doctor and he said there's nothing to worry about. Overtime I noticed little painful beads all over my upper body (mostly chest,ribs and arms). Even a little poke anywhere in the mentioned areas cause pain. It's like the pain radiates throughout my body, can feel it almost everywhere now but mostly upper body (especially the ribs and arms). I'm almost 100% sure it's an infection but I've always had protected sex. I can clearly feel them when i pinch or squeeze them, they feel mixture of soft,hard and tender. I've book appointment with my GP today, should I be worried about this? I don't have headaches, no flu but my hands and feet feel colder these days.
Thanks.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
You need to be investigated for neurofibromatosis. This can explain the multiple lumps with pain. A biopsy may be helpful. The clue to diagnosis may lie there. In case it was a lymph node then swollen lymph nodes across multiple areas or generalized lymphadenopathy can be due to viral infections such as mono or EBV or cytomegalovirus or due to bacterial infections like TB.  HIV or AIDS, leukemia, lymphomas and other cancers can also be a cause. This could also be due to inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is difficult to determine the cause on net. This is not something you should ignore. Please consult your doctor. Take care!

[zerocake]

Thanks. I will find out soon enough - damn I better not have cancer..

[sniggiwnyert]

hello im a med student at Florida Tech and from what ive learned and from personal experience with some of my friends, you might want to be tested for Hodkiens disease. this disease effects the lymph nodes and can lead to cancer. to confirm they will most likely do a blood test, and then maybe a biospy of one of the beads.