Swollen Lymph Nodes..

[JustinH1991]

Hi. I am 16. Last year when I was in my spanish 3 class at school, I leaned my head over and fela huge swollen gland. It was so large I fel embarassed and kept it covered. I went to the doctor and he said it was a lymph node and it was probably from an infection. Took antibiotics and the swelling went down but I can still fell and see the lymph node. A few weeks later I then discovered another lump on the other side of my neck below my jaw. It felt the same as the other one and we went to see the doctor. He gave me more antibiotics but this one never shrunk. I was referred to a otorhinolaryngologists (ORL). He was puzzled and had a sonogram of my neck done. Indeed I had slightly swollen lymph nodes. He decided that it was possibly an infection. Put me on a Azythromicin (Z-pack) and the swelling never went down. He then scheduled a biopsy of the left side, the original lymph node. I got to the surgical center and was put on the IV and was being prepared. He came in for a last check and said he thought it might be best to watch and see because the lymph node was on my jaw line and he did not want to risk cutting my facial nerve. It has been a year and a half and no exact answers yes.

I now have a lump on my left flank (side) and my right flank. I also have swollen lymph nodes in my groin area. I notice the in class I will sweat in my armpits and it makes me cringe. I wear anti-persperant deoderant. I have also noticed that I have gotten extremely irritable. I am also tired alot of the time. I will find myself waking up and not knowing when I fell asleep. I might have been online chatting to a friend and then waking up laying on my keyboard and not remembering falling asleep. I also have noticed a stiff back and neck especially when taking a shower and standing.

I saw a dermatologist for my acne and she felt my lymph node and told me to go see an ORL again but they again just said your lymph nodes are reactive and that there is nothing to worry about. I also have times where I feel like my whole body is on fire, and I tingle and can't end up shaking. I also get extremely cold and shake.

Blood tests have all come back normal except for a slightly high red-count which the doctor's said can be because my parents smoke.

I have a family history of lymphoma, hodgkins and non-hodgkins in an early age. One uncle had Hodgkins and was in his twenties. The other had Non-Hodgkins and was in his early twenties as well.

Not sure what to do next...I don't want to end up having cancer and being diagnosed late.

[JustinH1991]

My CT scan is tomorrow afternoon at 3pm eastern time!!!

[JustinH1991]

I will post them as they come. I have a feeling the surgeon won't get me into his office for a while as it seems they are the most busy these days.

I also agree with the Cat scan. My ORL originally said it is possibly they are growing into the neck and all we feel is what is poking out so he wanted to get exact measurements of the whole lymph nodules.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
I agree with the decision to have a CT scan and biopsy done.
That will give a more definite diagnosis of what you are experiencing.
Post your updates.
Good luck.

[JustinH1991]

Just went to the doctor today. She thinks it would be best to go ahead with the CAT scan of the neck and to go back to my surgeon and have a couple removed for testing and to make sure they are lipomas. She said it is very very rare for lymph nodes to be in that area but it can happen. She seemed non-concerned but she also wants to make sure.

She also suggested waiting and seeing as my acne is cleared up to see if there is a change in the lymph nodes. She said sometimes acne can drain into them. But my dermatologist said that is a very very unusual thing to happen with acne. He said to get it checked out again.

GRRR haha

Justin

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
A CT scan of the chest and abdomen may be done in order to document presence or absence of lymph nodes within the chest and abdominal cavities.
Lipomas are benign tumors and are superficial to the skin.  
Since you have a progressive enlargement of lymph nodes, as well as increase in number, it would be best to have a biopsy done.
I would also suggest to have a second opinion from another doctor for further evaluation.

[JustinH1991]

Well I just felt my side and it appears I have more of these lumps. My doctor thinks they are limpomas and said that lymph nodes in that region are deep and it is very unusal and very very rare to fell them unless they are on the rib cage, Mine are slightly below. I have discovered my left side feels quite lumpy.