Immune System Diseases

[Janet02]

I have Follicular Lymphoma and low platelets. I currently have Mono. I am in remission from my cancer but am still having trouble keeping my platelets at a safe level. Last week I started swelling in my neck and a blood test confirmed I have Mono. I have had Mono before when I was 40. I am now 43. Isnt it strange for a person my age to have Mono and to have it twice? My Doctor says my spleen is fine and he checked my bone marrow this past October and said that it was fine. I think the Mono and Low platelets and cancer are connected somehow. My Doctor does not seem overly concerned. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Is it possible that the bone marrow has been infiltrated since it was checked in October? What would the symptoms be?

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

There are some specific tests for infectious mononucleosis like the monospot test, Epstein barr virus antigen by immunofluorescence and Epstein barr virus antibody titers which help differentiate a past infection from a current one. Did you undergo any of these tests?
Follicular lymphoma can go into remission and in some patients there is a long term remission, but there is always a chance of it coming back. The presenting symptom will be an enlarged lymph node/nodes. I would suggest another bone marrow exam as it has been more than 6 months since your last exam.

[Janet02]

Both times with Mono they did a blood test that came back Negative. Then a second blood test that takes longer was done and came back positive with high numbers. I do not know the specific names of the tests. I have been in rermission since this past February. A CT this week showed that the spleen looked normal and there has been no more lymph node growth. The only enlarged lymphnodes are in my neck. I understand that it will more than likely come back. I have no problem with the chemo. I hate the thrombocytopenia! My numbers will stay in the 100's and week 4-5 they plummet to 40 or 50. It is discouraging and scary! I am glad that at least there is a treatment. I will be ok. I need to quit reading and put my faith in God and my oncologist. Thank you for your time and concern. May God Bless you and the ones you hold dear!

[DrNoopurMD]

Thank you!

Do keep me posted. Take care.