swollen left lymph node

[couponkelly]

My left side groin lymph node has been swollen for 3 weeks.  It has only gotten bigger over that time period.  After a week went to MD and he prescribed antibiotic.  That did nothing and I was concerned and went back last week.  MD told me to get off that med and start Bactrim.  He thought that it was a staph infection.  I have been taking it for 7 days now and there is no improvement.  I called MD again and his asst told me to wait until I have taken all 10 days of meds.  I have a lot of other sypmtoms that I didn't realize may be connected.  I have had a daily continous fever for 3 weeks (99 to 101).  It goes away with Tylenol.  I have no appetite and have lost 5 lbs in 3 weeks (yeah!).  I am so exhausted and I just can't seem to get going.  I have had abnormal vaginal bleeding since Sept 2012 and have been taking 2 different meds to stop that.  I thought the lymph node swelling was from the hormones....  I have rectal bleeding with every stool (thought this was left over hemorrhoids from pregnancy)... I have a lot of abdominal pain, again I thought that had to do with the hormones.  I have been diagonosed with chronic anemia and have iron infusions every 6 months.  I have extensive blood work with each infusion cycle.  Nothing has come up with those tests except the low iron.  Am I missing something?  I am going to my PCP for this lymph node thing.  I go to the GYN for the period problem and then I go to the hematologist for my iron.  I am scared someone is missing something!!!!  They all know the different problems and send reports back and forth between them.  Am I being silly?  Who needs to be checking this lymph node thing?  I am making myself insane.

The more I read online the more scared I become!!!

[overit4now]

I hope you are feeling better. I have had weird health issues for the past year and a half or so. You mentioned seeing several doctors for different ailments. I do this too. I always make sure the specialists communicate with my GP. I also get copies of all labs and procedures. I bring these to the different doctors and make sure they copy and keep in my file. I periodically go through these with my GP to avoid missing a connection or something. I also have tried hard to educate myself so that I can ask good questions and request specific labs or procedures.

My US was "unremarkable" except noting the presence of enlarged lymph nodes of benign appearance. My labia and groin area is mostly better. Still some swelling and slight discomfort, but now the lymph node swelling progressed to under my arms, neck and face. It's painful to wear a bra. I had a normal Mammogram. I went to my GP who just sent me or a chest X-ray and a long list of labs which include tests for Lyme, HIV, CMV, Epstein Barr, and several others. He said cancer was unlikely, but might want to biopsy the largest depending on the labs. Now I'm just waiting for answers and it *****.

[couponkelly]

Hope that your test revealed something to help you.  My day rolled into a week.  MD said I had an abcess and it needed immediate attention.  Went to see surgeon that morning.  Was sent for a CT and told I had an incarcerated hernia.  Surgery was the next morning.  Surgeon then told me there was no hernia, just a great deal of infection.  He removed several infected lymph nodes.  WHAT ABOUT THE CT and HERNIA?  Lab results show no cancer, but can't find the source of infection. More labs are being run in hopes for an answer on how to treat this huge infection.  Trying another antibiotic while waiting on lab results.

[overit4now]

Me too. I never went to the doctor until after the birth of my identical twins (2nd pregnancy jackpot!). I have pretty much felt like crap since then. That was 4 years ago. I thought it was just thyroid issues which seem under control now. After writing to you earlier, I got the nerve to call the doctor. I am going in for a pelvic ultrasound this afternoon.

[couponkelly]

I fear being the "crazy patient" too.  I guess you can't be labeled as a drug seeker if you are just wanting antibiotics???  HA!  I don't know.  I was always so healthly until I had my second baby.  I am falling apart it seems.

[overit4now]

I feel for you. I can totally relate. I am dealing with swollen lymph issues as well. You have a number of other symptoms that I do not, but I have been sick so much the past 3 months with various inflammation issues and other things and dealing with annoying health issue for over a year with no DX.  I have been over doctored and over tested. Every time I see a doctor for something they are never sure exactly what it is or what is causing it. It's actually become a joke between my husband and I. The tests always seem fine or inconclusive. I am venting about an umbrella of health issues. So I just want to say, I totally understand your concern and frustration as this recent lymph node issue is really concerning me as well. Started in my labia now in my groin and as of yesterday pain down one leg and in abdomen. I too was prescribed  antibiotics (clynamyacine since I am allergic to Bactrim) Which I finished 2 days ago. I am trying to wait it out until my follow up on Thursday. I don't want seem like a crazy patient. I think sometimes best thing to do is stay off the Internet but because of sites like this and others I have been able to educate myself better and ask for certain tests. I even diagnosed a rare condition in my son had that the doctor overlooked. So now I worry that stuff is getting missed all of the time. Very time a doctor says, " Yes, but that's very rare." Well I seem to have hit the jackpot on rare conditions with myself and children. Sorry for the venting. Sometimes you just gotta do it. Wishing you luck with this. I hope you feel better soon.