Swollen lymph nodes on both sides of the back side of my neck...please help!

[arecla]

Hello,

This is my first time posting here as I have become desperate for some help/advice. My name is Andrea, I am a 26 year old female. Starting in Oct of last year (2010), I randomly noticed two large lumps on the back of my head/neck. Both sides were swollen quite a bit and kind of banded all the way across the base of my skull. This was the first time that I had noticed it and even though it caused discomfort I figured I would sleep on it and it would go away. Well It didn't...

Here it is almost a year later and I am still dealing with these swollen lymph nodes. I have been to two different doctors and have tried three different types of antibiotics, had multiple blood tests and was prescribed maxalt for migraines. The antibiotics obviously didn't work, and the maxalt helps with some of the symptoms...sometimes, but doesn't treat the problem. My blood tests have all come back normal with the exception of one in which it showed I had a very slight positive reading for the presence of anti nuclear antibodies. This blood test prompted my doctor to test me for lupus and the results were negative. Neither of the two doctors were able to diagnose me and I have struggled with seeking more help. One of the biggest issues is that I do not have health insurance so I can't see a specialist which is very frustrating.

Here is a little of my health background:
I have hypothyroidism and have been being treated for that for the last 3-4years with levothyroxine. I also was diagnosed with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) and am currently taking metformin for that. My grandmother passed away in her late 50's early 60's of lymphoma but I don't know much more than that.

A list of my sypmtoms:

Lymph nodes will swell and shrink periodically and don't always bother me.
I feel sluggish and fatigued ALL the time when they are swollen
I feel pressure in my head and almost like my ears are plugged while glands are swollen
I get random bouts of nausea but have never actually vomited
I have chronic neck and back pain
I have had low grade fevers off and on
I feel like I have become weaker, its hard to lift things that usually are not an issue for me
I get dizzy/confused feeling sometimes
I get pounding in my head when I stand up or stretch
I have had gastrointestinal issues over the last year or two
within the last week I have noticed red bump along my hairline behind my right ear and my scalp seems to be itchy of and on.

My questions are does this sound like it could possibly be lymphoma? Because I don't have health insurance, what are my options? I truly feel like there is something going on with me but I don't know what to do, I cant afford to see a specialist out of pocket or get expensive scans. I have a three year old daughter and it scares me that this has been going on for almost a year and the doctors have not been able to diagnose me. I don't want to think that I could have cancer (Im sure nobody does) but I can't help but wonder if I could. What would you do? Any and all advice is welcome.

Sincerely,
Andrea R.

[arecla]

anyone else???

[arecla]

Thank you for your reply, I look into it. Thanks!

[ITCHY2011]

I would take iodide and see if that helps.  If not this can be a very serious problem (possibly cancer).  After taking iodide for about a week if things don't get better see an Oncologist.

I hope you the best.  Be aware that high doses of vitamin C can help fight cancer.

[arecla]

I actually copy and pasted this from another forum hoping to get more response.

Thanks in advance for any advice or help with my situation!