What would make me have cyst like areas all over my body?

[kimmie112]

I have had an issue for over a year that has progressively gotten worse.  I am 33 years old and have these cysts like area all over my body.  By that I mean I feel them in my breast, stomach, chest, arms, side (underarms), throat, head, legs, and bottom.  What could it be?  Other symptoms include weightloss (60lbs), night sweats, chills and low grade fever, nausa and vomitting, stomach pains, headaches, ear ache(on the side where knot is), excessive itching especially after bath, my skin is different feeling to touch and very tender to touch.  Other symptoms I think are related is that my back will swell and hurt so bad I can't walk it will last about 2 weeks.  Now, my legs will do the same.  At any time it could be either leg.  It will start to hurt in my heel, ankle, bottom or top of foot then continues to swell and be excrutiating pain.  I am exhausted I can't keep going.  The doctors won't even feel the knots that are not visible except on my sides when I look in mirror and my legs.  The test I have had after the doctors found enlarged spleen and liver wher hepititis, AIDS (had 3 in 2009 I was paranoid), lupus, rhumatiod, and cat scans.  My WBC have been high, high platlett counts, and chloride serum was high.  I have a 6 year old and I can't keep fighting and I can't give up.  Any advice on what this may be or how to get help please advise.

[PersonTryingToBeWell]

The areas you are describing (under chin, neck, armpits, groin, underneath the legs around the vagina/penis, anus, chest, liver, and above the kidneys) are areas where lymph nodes are close to the surface of the body. These are actually functioning parts of your immune system. (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/heart-and-blood-vessel-disorders/lymphatic-disorders/overview-of-the-lymphatic-system) They may at times swell or hurt if you have an infection, autoimmune issue, allergies or lymphatic diseases. If the node(s) stays swollen and hurt for several days see a doctor. If it gets to the size of a golf ball or hurts in on-going sharp pains go to emerge.

As I side note, I have had all these symptoms they suck. I have also had doctors not listen. The issue I have been having is three fold 1) Doctors not listening because they think women over-react to every ache and pain; 2) Symptoms being persistent but episodic in nature and not always presenting in the same way all the time; 3) The medical system is not actual designed to diagnose women for anything except reproductive diseases. On the later point, the 'normal range' that is used to determine if something in your body is sick, is determined by examining a large number of 50-70 year old men. The 'ok' range can be double or triple what is 'ok' for someone of my size (140 lbs) and age (30's). There are ranges for women on some of these tests, they are just not used in the hospital and regular doctors offices. I have looked many up myself and fought with the medical system over access to needed tests.  The fight is still on-going.

In the mean time, these have helped reduce symptoms for me:
1) I got an allergy tests and removed foods from my diet that contained known allergies, or were related to known allergies (ex. cherries and soy share a protein structure I am allergic to cherries and discovered I am also allergic to soy)

2) I cut out all alcohol, processed food, all added sugar and the majority of added fat from my diet. This did wonders for my side. It still hurts sometimes but less often.

3) I started taking fish oil, getting acupuncture and seeing a natural path. I am not into everything the natural path is saying, some seems far fetched, but some works and at this point anything helps.

As a side note the problems we are describing are very common among people who have taken anti-depressants, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory pain meds for long periods of time. If you fit into this category you may want to talk to your doctor about whether continuing the medication is a good idea.

Also I am a researcher by trade, I am trying to get more information together on this problem, so we can make the medical system listen and ultimately get better. If You want to give me information on your symptoms and experiences, I would love to hear from you. No names will be necessary.

[septembergirl73]

I have it too.  It is horrid, the only thing I found that seems to be close is abbreviated H.S.  Look it up and let me know what you think.

[amy2288]

I know exactly what you mean. I've had them for the past 15 years, under my arms, my groin area, the crease behind my ***, and that pain you're describing.. the only thing I can compare it to is an absessed tooth ache all over my body..and I wake up and feel like I've been beaten in the back with a hammer. I saw an infectious disease doctor yesterday and she's running some labs.. I've also been tested for aids (paranoid too) and they're running a test for lymes.. xmrv virus.. I don't know what to do. I hurt so bad all the time and it's like no doctors believe me, they just think I'm a drug addict when I ask for pain medicine. This doctor should call me the beginning of next week with my lab results and she gave me a 100 letter word for this recourring cyst diagnosis.. as soon as I have more information I'll be sure and let you know.
Amy

[CarrieLynn777]

Just found this rare disorder about cysts...don't know if it is you or not so google it and see if it explains your dilemma. It is called steatocystoma multiplex. Maybe that will be the answer you need.