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My Hodge Podge of Symptoms
Hey there & thanks in advance for reading and any suggestions you may have... I am just looking for some ideas of what may be going on here.
Me: 5'8, 120lbs, 25 yo female
About ~6 weeks ago I found/realized that I had a really large inguinal lymph node poking out. Well, I gave it a couple of weeks to see if it would go away- it didn't. Something underneath it (another lymph node I think) started swelling up and it became a lil tender. Sooo, I went to my doc. She ordered a CBC, Chem 14, and an ultrasound.
The CBC was pretty normal - my white count was just a little low (3.9) - and the actual percentage of neutros & lymphs was a little high. My sodium count was borderline low.
The ultrasound of the inguinal region - the results weren't really explained to me.. but I was told that it looked reactive and not malignant. (so does that mean 100% not cancer? or just not a metastasized cancer?)
Okay so fast forward a few days... my doc sent in a surgery consult and they actually told her to go ahead and give me a round of doxycycline. I had a pelvic exam just a couple of weeks ago & everything looked fine... and the hubby and I are have been tested for STDs; but, I am outdoors often - so Lyme, Rocky Mt & all that came to mind.
So on Friday, I began taking the doxycycline. On Monday, I began having mild intermittent right upper quadrant abdominal pain that slid around to my back/underneath my shoulder blade. I gave that a few days, and it didnt get any better. I also started having a couple of strange "episodes" that lasted for a few minutes each where I felt... sort of "out of it".... almost like I was lightheaded except it would last for a few minutes.
I spoke with my doc and decided to stop taking the Doxycycline just in case it was a reaction to that. Well I stopped the doxycycline 3 days ago - and so far the pain is still there. It comes and goes but it has never been extremely painful.
Also, during the time I was taking the antibiotic Doxycycline, I found another lump underneath my right ear... right behind my jaw. Its really hard and not painful. (parotid gland maybe?)
So when this first all started, I felt fine - completely asymptomatic 'cept for the really big inguinal node. Now, it seems like I'm just slowly going down hill. I've been tired and really irritable. I don't have much of an appetite but I make sure I eat something for lunch & dinner anyways.
So.... does anyone have any ideas as to what may be going on here?
Thanks!
Me: 5'8, 120lbs, 25 yo female
About ~6 weeks ago I found/realized that I had a really large inguinal lymph node poking out. Well, I gave it a couple of weeks to see if it would go away- it didn't. Something underneath it (another lymph node I think) started swelling up and it became a lil tender. Sooo, I went to my doc. She ordered a CBC, Chem 14, and an ultrasound.
The CBC was pretty normal - my white count was just a little low (3.9) - and the actual percentage of neutros & lymphs was a little high. My sodium count was borderline low.
The ultrasound of the inguinal region - the results weren't really explained to me.. but I was told that it looked reactive and not malignant. (so does that mean 100% not cancer? or just not a metastasized cancer?)
Okay so fast forward a few days... my doc sent in a surgery consult and they actually told her to go ahead and give me a round of doxycycline. I had a pelvic exam just a couple of weeks ago & everything looked fine... and the hubby and I are have been tested for STDs; but, I am outdoors often - so Lyme, Rocky Mt & all that came to mind.
So on Friday, I began taking the doxycycline. On Monday, I began having mild intermittent right upper quadrant abdominal pain that slid around to my back/underneath my shoulder blade. I gave that a few days, and it didnt get any better. I also started having a couple of strange "episodes" that lasted for a few minutes each where I felt... sort of "out of it".... almost like I was lightheaded except it would last for a few minutes.
I spoke with my doc and decided to stop taking the Doxycycline just in case it was a reaction to that. Well I stopped the doxycycline 3 days ago - and so far the pain is still there. It comes and goes but it has never been extremely painful.
Also, during the time I was taking the antibiotic Doxycycline, I found another lump underneath my right ear... right behind my jaw. Its really hard and not painful. (parotid gland maybe?)
So when this first all started, I felt fine - completely asymptomatic 'cept for the really big inguinal node. Now, it seems like I'm just slowly going down hill. I've been tired and really irritable. I don't have much of an appetite but I make sure I eat something for lunch & dinner anyways.
So.... does anyone have any ideas as to what may be going on here?
Thanks!
Try to set up this acute care appointment and see what happens, otherwise you will be wasting time being that you are moving overseas in about 3 months.
No worries about any drama. You just want answers and after reading your last post I can completely understand your frustration and fear.
No worries about any drama. You just want answers and after reading your last post I can completely understand your frustration and fear.
Hey there - sorry if I went a lil dramatic. I'm just soo frustrated and a lil scared-> a terrible combo!
Yes I have to have a referral from my PCP/PCM for any appointments other than acute care family practice appointments or else I'll have to set it up and pay for it all myself. I live on an Army post - so all of my health care stuff is handled at the hospital and my PCP doesn't really have an office per se.
So now I can try to set up an "acute care" appointment with some other doc at the hospital and go through the whole story with them over again and see if they can put me in the system for a referral or see if they just want to do more of their own tests. Oh & actually the last doctor I saw when I went in to be looked at over the doxy thing was a different primary care doc than my assigned PCP... and that whole day was pretty much a nightmare. He wanted to try to set me up for a surgery consult but thought that I had already had an appointment scheduled b/c of the original order put in by my PCP during my first visit over this whole mess. I tried in vain to explain to him that the surgeons are the ones that put me on the doxy and that I'd never actually had any appointments set up with them. ugggh. Its pretty much a clinic system. Each doc sees my records in the comp.... and formulates their own plan of action and opinions and then sends me for another CBC whilst promising that they'll call me when the results are all in.... and then I'll never hear from them.
Anyways, its all extremely frustrating and a pretty scary for me. That's why I really just wish I knew if this was something that'll probably go away on its own or not... or if cancer is still a possibility because I've got this lump thing under my ear.
We'll be moving overseas in about 3 months.. but we haven't been pinpointed to a specific location yet. So, I don't know if I'll have access to better or worse health care. If it is something pretty foul, then I really need to know before we make this move... so I have no idea what we're gonna do. I'll probably end up waiting it out and hoping it goes away.
Yes I have to have a referral from my PCP/PCM for any appointments other than acute care family practice appointments or else I'll have to set it up and pay for it all myself. I live on an Army post - so all of my health care stuff is handled at the hospital and my PCP doesn't really have an office per se.
So now I can try to set up an "acute care" appointment with some other doc at the hospital and go through the whole story with them over again and see if they can put me in the system for a referral or see if they just want to do more of their own tests. Oh & actually the last doctor I saw when I went in to be looked at over the doxy thing was a different primary care doc than my assigned PCP... and that whole day was pretty much a nightmare. He wanted to try to set me up for a surgery consult but thought that I had already had an appointment scheduled b/c of the original order put in by my PCP during my first visit over this whole mess. I tried in vain to explain to him that the surgeons are the ones that put me on the doxy and that I'd never actually had any appointments set up with them. ugggh. Its pretty much a clinic system. Each doc sees my records in the comp.... and formulates their own plan of action and opinions and then sends me for another CBC whilst promising that they'll call me when the results are all in.... and then I'll never hear from them.
Anyways, its all extremely frustrating and a pretty scary for me. That's why I really just wish I knew if this was something that'll probably go away on its own or not... or if cancer is still a possibility because I've got this lump thing under my ear.
We'll be moving overseas in about 3 months.. but we haven't been pinpointed to a specific location yet. So, I don't know if I'll have access to better or worse health care. If it is something pretty foul, then I really need to know before we make this move... so I have no idea what we're gonna do. I'll probably end up waiting it out and hoping it goes away.
You have to see your PCP to get a referral? Can't her office just set one up for you without seeing her? You just saw her, correct?
Thank you very much for the response. I tried to make an appointment with my primary care manager in order to get a referral to an ID specialist... but she's booked for the next 28 days. So, I dunno what I'm gonna do. I really don't want to just go see another random doctor again and get another CBC and a promise of a follow-up that'll never come. So... I guess here's to hoping its nothing serious and I'll try her back in a few days.
An increase in WBC does NOT mean the ATB is working; it should be going into a normal range NOT elevating.
Your other labs look ok; nothing significant.
Your US results point more in the direction of infection/inflammatory response, not malignancy. As I posted previously, I believe this is related to infection and to consult an ID Specialist for starts. The other possibility is that this could be something autoimmune.
Yes, they are using the word "may" because it could be related to an infection or an inflammatory process caused by something other than infection.
Your other labs look ok; nothing significant.
Your US results point more in the direction of infection/inflammatory response, not malignancy. As I posted previously, I believe this is related to infection and to consult an ID Specialist for starts. The other possibility is that this could be something autoimmune.
Yes, they are using the word "may" because it could be related to an infection or an inflammatory process caused by something other than infection.
Ugh. Well I guess I'm still waiting to hear from a doctor. I've got a copy of my latest CBC & Chem panel that was done after I started feeling so awful on the Doxycycline. No one has explained any of the results but they all seem to fall within the normal ranges I guess. My WBC actually jumped up to 10.3. I don't know if that means the antibiotics were working or if my system was responding to the antibiotics.
The only things that seem borderline are: Glucose 77, BUN 8.0, BUN/CR 10.0, Sodium 138, Potassium 4.7, & OSMO CALC 264... lol which I have no idea what any of that means or if its significant.
Ideas or opinions would be more than welcomed.
I've also got the results from my ultrasound of the right inguinal region. It says "... demonstrates presence of multiple hypoechoic nodules that demonstrate an echogenic central hilar region with vascular flow compatible with scattered lymph nodes. The largest of these measure the following: 1.5 x 0.8 x 2.3 cm and 1.9 x 0.7 x 1.2 cm. "
and then later down it says "This is a nonspecific finding may represent post infectious or post inflammatory sequela. Recommend correlation. "
So.... also... any impressions on that? Over the phone, the doctor only said that the results were "not malignant" but I see the words "may" and "recommend correlation"! lol I just don't really know what to think.
Ughh.. I'm just not sure if I should wait and see if any doctors decide to follow-up with me or if I should just try to schedule another appointment with someone and see if they do anything different or just order another CBC.
So.. please - anybody - thoughts? opinions? What are the odds that something serious is going on? -or should I just give up for a bit and see if it all goes away? Does any of it sound familiar?
Thanks
The only things that seem borderline are: Glucose 77, BUN 8.0, BUN/CR 10.0, Sodium 138, Potassium 4.7, & OSMO CALC 264... lol which I have no idea what any of that means or if its significant.
Ideas or opinions would be more than welcomed.
I've also got the results from my ultrasound of the right inguinal region. It says "... demonstrates presence of multiple hypoechoic nodules that demonstrate an echogenic central hilar region with vascular flow compatible with scattered lymph nodes. The largest of these measure the following: 1.5 x 0.8 x 2.3 cm and 1.9 x 0.7 x 1.2 cm. "
and then later down it says "This is a nonspecific finding may represent post infectious or post inflammatory sequela. Recommend correlation. "
So.... also... any impressions on that? Over the phone, the doctor only said that the results were "not malignant" but I see the words "may" and "recommend correlation"! lol I just don't really know what to think.
Ughh.. I'm just not sure if I should wait and see if any doctors decide to follow-up with me or if I should just try to schedule another appointment with someone and see if they do anything different or just order another CBC.
So.. please - anybody - thoughts? opinions? What are the odds that something serious is going on? -or should I just give up for a bit and see if it all goes away? Does any of it sound familiar?
Thanks
Never heard of doxy causing the urine to turn green. Some medications, vitamins and a diet high in green leafy veggies can cause this, but never known doxy to.
I would definitely keep an eye on your wbc, neuts and lymps labs; have them rechecked. Something is going on. I would still recommend seeing an ID because of the swollen lymph nodes and abnormal wbc count.
I would definitely keep an eye on your wbc, neuts and lymps labs; have them rechecked. Something is going on. I would still recommend seeing an ID because of the swollen lymph nodes and abnormal wbc count.
Oh & - no, no ear aches or signs of infection there and I haven't been around any cats lately.
Hi & thanks for all the answers.
They did run a bunch more labs for the Rocky Mt & all. I think they all turned out negative - one doc flipped through them real quick during my last visit. We're a military family - so my health care is all done at the hospital and quite often I see a different doctor than my actual main physician. I'm more than a little worried that I'm just going to slip through the cracks. I plan on actually going this afternoon and getting copies of all of my results to look through.
So here I am now - I stopped the Doxy on Friday. I still have RUQ pain - but it still isn't a terrible ER worthy pain. However -icky but true- I've also noticed that my urine is just about completely clear with a slight green tint now. I've read that medications can cause this.... so, could it still be the doxy? Or does it seem to be something else?
:) Thanks guys.
They did run a bunch more labs for the Rocky Mt & all. I think they all turned out negative - one doc flipped through them real quick during my last visit. We're a military family - so my health care is all done at the hospital and quite often I see a different doctor than my actual main physician. I'm more than a little worried that I'm just going to slip through the cracks. I plan on actually going this afternoon and getting copies of all of my results to look through.
So here I am now - I stopped the Doxy on Friday. I still have RUQ pain - but it still isn't a terrible ER worthy pain. However -icky but true- I've also noticed that my urine is just about completely clear with a slight green tint now. I've read that medications can cause this.... so, could it still be the doxy? Or does it seem to be something else?
:) Thanks guys.
Doctor prescribed me the same medicine for the same illness, and I developed abdominal pain, while taking the doxycycline,the pain persisted long after the course, of docycyline, had finished, when i read the advice leaflet it said it could give you abdominal pain and other symptoms i.e out of it,...... it's the docycyline that does it.but he said it would be best to keep taking the docycyline
I was also diagnosed with thyroid problem, doctor told me to stop smoking,so I stoped and the symptoms went a way. good luck
I was also diagnosed with thyroid problem, doctor told me to stop smoking,so I stoped and the symptoms went a way. good luck
I doubt it is a Gallbladder issue. The Doxycycline probably did a number on your GI system and definitely did not help the situation with the lymph nodes.
Now that you had all the normal labs drawn, it is time you get some labs that are not the norm. You mentioned getting checked for Lyme's and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever related to you being outdoors alot. Did you get that done yet? Have you been exposed to any cats and scratched? (Cat Scratch Disease)?
Your WBC is low and the Neuts and Lymphs are elevated; that is one piece of the puzzle. The US sounds like it is cleared for any malignancy/cancer, so it would point more in the direction of infection.
I would recommend following up with a ID Specialist; Infectious Disease.
Now that you had all the normal labs drawn, it is time you get some labs that are not the norm. You mentioned getting checked for Lyme's and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever related to you being outdoors alot. Did you get that done yet? Have you been exposed to any cats and scratched? (Cat Scratch Disease)?
Your WBC is low and the Neuts and Lymphs are elevated; that is one piece of the puzzle. The US sounds like it is cleared for any malignancy/cancer, so it would point more in the direction of infection.
I would recommend following up with a ID Specialist; Infectious Disease.
Ask your Dr to check your gallbladder. The pain your having sounds like that's what it might be. It looks like you do have some kind of infection going on by the tests you've already had. Has your Dr thought about trying you on another antibiotic to see how you do on that one? Is your ear hurting? Did your Dr check you for an ear infection?
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