Lymph node pain with alcohol consumption?

[thatgirl387]

For several years when I drink alcohol I've noticed lymph node pain upon my first drink. The tenderness will last for a few days after. This started in my teen years but I never told anyone because I didn't want them to know I had alcohol.

I'm 26, F. In 2009 I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  In 2012 I had a FNA done to check a nodule that was on my thyroid.  It was not cancerous but they couldn't determine exactly what type of nodule it. I'm supposed to have a repeat FNA if growth is detected,  it's actually shrunk (last measured in November '12). I was also told in 2012 (Feb) that I was positive for Epstein-Barr and had slightly lowered liver function.  My doctor ran all sorts of blood work and even a stool sample. Everything was normal in his opinion. I was recovering from a bad stomach flu I had 2 months prior and he felt there was nothing to retest or test further. At that time I complained about the pain with alcohol, extremely tired, dizziness and joint pain. He told me to eat better and exercise more and u should feel better. Well it's a year and a half later and some symptoms do, but others linger.


My question is, is it even possible to have Hodgkins for 10+ years and doctors miss the signs or blood work never tip them off? This is the only thing that comes up for alcohol related node pain. what else could cause it?

[Ken_PA]

Hi, there are some threads here from people like yourself:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/search/139?utf8=%26%23x2713%3B&query=alcohol

Although it's true, as you say, that searching for alcohol induced node pain always leads to Hodgkin's, in some of those long threads there are many examples of people having node pain and/or swelling over the curse of years, yet they do not have Hodgkin's.

Maybe your pain comes from vasodilation. Some vasodilate more strongly than others. Cancerous nodes usually aren't painful.

Also, as for your other symptoms, you might look into Post Viral Syndromes, Chronic Epstein Barr, CFS and other related conditions.

[Mochadelicious]

From the symptoms you listed above, I don't think your thyroid would be the cause (except for maybe the fatigue).  You really should go see your doctor.  I don't want to scare you, but all the symptoms you stated above sounds like Hodgkins, although I can't imagine you could have Hodgkins for 10 years and not know it.  Hodgkins is usually more aggressive and needs treatment right away.

I don't know what else would cause pain with alcohol consumption other than Hodgkins.  Maybe someone else on this forum would know?  I would ask your doctor specifically about the possibility of Hodgkins and see if a biopsy of one of your swollen nodes would be possible.  Biopsy is the only definitive way to diagnose (or hopefully rule out) Lymphoma.   I would also ask for an excisional biopsy rather than a FNA.  Results will be much more accurate.

[thatgirl387]

I'm sorry my post wasn't clear, that was my mistake.

I do understand my thyroid is unrelated. I just thought it might be causing some of my symptoms and my doctors just didn't catch it.

In late 2011 I started feeling very bad, then I had a horrible stomach flu. Weeks passed and I continued to feel sick so that's when I went to my PCP for the testing and was first told about the Epstein-Barr (though tested negative previously). The only symptom that has resolved since that time is the joint pain. Others persist, new ones have started. Together they are: night sweats, low grade fever, tender and swollen lymph nodes, persistent fatigue, dizziness and the alcohol related pain which I have always had.

I personally do not think I have Hodgkins. I also read in my research what you were saying about it being unlikely that it could go on 10+ years unknown. I just wanted to confirm this. I was hoping to really rule out Hodgkins as a cause and possibly hear additional causes. It still leaves a big question: what else can cause alcohol related lymph node pain?

[Mochadelicious]

The way I understand it, sensitivity to alcohol can be a symptom of Hodgkins Lymphoma (although rare), but for it to go on for 10+ years seems unlikely.  There are indolent (slow growing) forms of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, but I don't believe there are any indolent forms of Hodgkins.  I believe sensitivity to alcohol only occurs with Hodgkins.  Does that make sense?

It's sounds like good news that the nodule on your thyroid has shrunk.  If it was cancerous I don't think it would do that.  I too had an enlarged nodule on my thyroid and I had it removed and biopsied.  It turned out to be a benign goiter.  Most nodules turn out to be benign.  Your thyroid issue is most likely a completely separate issue.

My recommendation is to make an appointment with your doctor and tell him/her about your sensitivity to alcohol and remind them of your positive test for Epstein-Barr.  If you have any other swollen lymph nodes it would be good to point them out as well.