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]

We thought it could have been a thyroid problem but according to the doctor the sonogram showed a normal sized and functioning thyroid. He did notice that the lymph node was not majorly swollen but it was large enough to be considered enlarged. It never hit me that I am the person in the car who wants the heat turned up because I am always cold, but then I will sitting on the computer and feel like I am on fire and my whole body tingles. I get this prickly feeling in my legs, hands, and other extremities of my body..but I am not sure what all is related to this :/

[JustinH1991]

Yes we did inform them. Some of them just ignored while my original dermatologist was very concerned.

[Jennifer375]

This is probably a silly question, but you didnt mention it so Ill ask... you or your parents did inform the doctor about your family history of lymphoma right? It seems illogical to me that the doctor decided to cancel the biopsy with a family history suggestive of this possiblity.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
You may be having symptoms of lymphoma.  However, there are other disease entities that can present with such symptoms.  An example would be an endocrine problem particularly a thyroid problem, though this will not present with lymphadenopathy.
The diagnosis of lymphoma can be made by biopsy.  
It would be best to go back to your doctor for further evaluation and management.  A lymph node biopsy may be needed in order to have a more definite diagnosis.
Do post your updates.
Good luck.

[JustinH1991]

I forgot that I have not mentioned new symptoms yet to my doctor. I was never asked about them but have noticed that some lymphoma symptoms are the sweating and fire-body-thing and coldness.

They never asked these things...