Generalized lymphadenopathy, NO diagnosis....HELP

[Teezie]

Hi....My name is Teresa and i'm a 34 yr young mum from the UK who is desperate for some advice on what may be wrong with me. My journey began way back in June 2007 when i found a small, hard, pea size lump behind my right ear. My dentist advised me to consult my GP which i did in august. She gave me an examination and informed me that i also had some swelling in the right side of my groin and after a few weeks of her ruling out the norm, i was referred to haematology. Because i'd lost weight and was getting increasingly tired, they decided to admit me on the 6th nov,  for tests which included a CT scan and inguinal node biopsy. CT scan showed normal and biopsy of node showed reactive. Since then i have developed enlarged nodes in both sides of neck, under both armpits, both sides of groin, behind knees and what feels like small rubbery lumps between my ribs on my chest wall. I went to haem last week who questioned my eating habbits because i had lost more weight and i basically felt like an anorexic lunatic!!!!! He wouldn't even listen 2 my other symptoms which are......increasing frequency of night sweats, burning itching mainly on my arms, extreme fatigue tho i am now mildly anemic, pins and needles in the left hand and foot also eye twitch on that side, hair loss and a pinprick blood rash that is developing on my legs and abdomen, which appears to be under the skin. He did mention that my left inguinal nodes are quite large ( x3 about the size of 1/2 my little finger ) and that maybe i should have another biopsy done. Thing is, i learned that these nodes are very poor for obtaining a diagnosis and am worried that these nodes will only show reactive again, however all my other nodes seem to grow to about 1cm and then stop but thats when a new one appears. Also where i had my last biopsy done, the node there is rock hard, is this normal after 4 months???? Things just don't feel right, as a person you know your own body and something is wrong but i feel i'm having 2 fight for answers.

[DebM412]

Your symptoms along with the nodes sounds like possible lymphoma. You have weight loss, night sweats, itching, rashes, enlarged nodes, etc. It could be some other problem but it sure fits the lymphoma profile. Your next step may be to see an ENT and have a neck node removed for a biopsy.
Please advise if you are having any fevers.

Debbie

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
I agree with the previous post.  You are experiencing symptoms and that warrant further evaluation.  Lymphomas can present with symptoms of fever, weight loss, itchiness of the skin, or sweating.  These are the “B” symptoms of lymphoma.
I would suggest a repeat biopsy of the lymph node to rule out the possibility of lymphoma.  There are other conditions that can present with enlarged lymph nodes.  Examples are infections and metastatic carcinomas.
Good luck.

[Teezie]

Hi, thanx 4 your prompt replies. In response to your questions, i will add......My normal body temp is 36-36.3 and is often raised to 37.3-37.6, which does feel quite warm 4 me. The problem i have with the nodes in my neck is that they only seem to reach 1cm and then a new one appears, hence the reason why haem want to biopsy my groin nodes, which are now quite large and visible. I do sweat more during the day even tho it's quite cool at the mo, especially under my arms. Last cold etc occured in May 06. I have had some bloods done, results are......HIV-, CMV+(titres), EBV+(titres), HEP A B C all-, ANA+@1:40(borderline) and speckled, fluctuating RBC sometimes thro roof then anemic, CRP is ok.I have also noticed that i am bruising very easily on my arms and legs, i was on the phone one day and actually felt one come up on my foot!! Would the CT scan have picked up everything, bearing in mind that i had that on 6th nov 07 and wot do u think about the rock hard node where i had my first biopsy done. Thankyou for listening to me babble on!.........................x

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
There is a possibility of fibrosis or scarring in the lymph node where you had your first biopsy.  This can cause the change in the consistency of that involved lymph node.  
The persistent infection, as evidenced by positive titers of CMV and EBV, may have caused the enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck and groin.  

[Teezie]

Hello again Dennis, thanks 4 replying. When i got my cmv / ebv results, the haem said that it showed low titres which indicated that i'd had previous contact and that it wasn't active, i was 17 when i contracted glandular fever.