possible lymphoma and doc issue

[jzerosh]

It all started about a year ago, my girlfriend noticed a lump in my groin area, i then noticed it.. but thought since i felt one on the other side, it was probably normal(wrong), and waited about 6 months.. since then i have been having stomach problems(trouble taking a #2), yet im not constipated.. i told my doctor all of this and he felt the lymph nodes and said they were swollen.. and he scheduled a colonoscopy, i had that done, and he found a area of "abnormal tissue" and had it biopsied, and tatoo'd. Some time during this procedure i woke up in the middle, and figured something went wrong (eg bowel perferation) or whatnot.. and then i was back out again, and they made me wait for 3 bags of saline.

After all of that, my problems got worse. Their was now not only what felt like blockage while trying to take a #2, but a sharp pain in my right side(after googling it seemed like apendicitis), i had an issue twice where i was seated prior, and when i stood up, my side hurt really bad, and felt as if a balloon of hot water went everywhere(and then i got really dizzy, almost passed out), this happened twice in about 2 weeks. Their was then blood in my stool, and sharp pains while trying to go, doc said it was all in my head, and when i asked about the colonoscopy, and why i woke up.. he said he had done hundreds of these procedures, and that it was all in my head since i had a history of depression(i know what is in my head or not).

So he scheduled a CT scan of my abdomen and pelvis with and without contrast, and also an oral contrast. The results came back and it says on the sheet that my liver, spleen adrenal glands pancreas, and kidneys are unremarkable. But it does state as follows:

conclusion:
#1.  increased number and size of retroperitoneal and mesenteric lymph nodes, differential diagnosis includes mesenteric adenitis. clinical correlation is advised. a follow up study is also advised to rule out any possibility of malignancy.

#2 possible urinary bladder artifact from urinary contrast jets excreted into the urinary bladder versus a urinary bladder mass. the next step for further evaluation is an ultrasound study of the urinary bladder. a cystoscopy may also be useful.

But at this appointment the docter says he thinks i have non-hodgkins lymphoma.

I have yet been given an antibiotic to rule out infection, the nodes in my groin at certain times seem to get really tight(or feels that way) and i can feel my heart beating through it, even while not touching it.. also i have a swollen/very sore to the touch spot on my lower right of my back.

My doctor did a blood test before this and didnt tell me anything about my white blood count, or anything else to see if its alarming, but he did tell me my hemoglobin was above normal, and very good.

I'm 22, kind of still in shock about possible cancer, my appointment with a general surgeon is about a month away, and my lymph nodes are really bothering me, i'm afraid im going to pass out and get really hurt, or what not.

Any ideas, clues, or anything =p i'm so stressed.. just reading everything i can..

Oh, theirs also another node(or something) much smaller but almost directly below the lymph node, and its hard. i'm not sure when it appeared, but it seems recent.

Do you think cancer is the cause, or has anyone else had the same issue, do you think i should be on antibiotics, etc.. thanks in advance, i know i just ranted alot.. but my doctor is hard to talk with, and im just worried because i put this off, i really had no clue it could be so serious, as it has not before bothered me.. if it wasnt for my girlfriend i wouldnt have noticed them until now, and i still dont understand why everything seemed to start at once, trouble going to the bathroom, colonoscopy, bad pain/more apparent nodes, etc. any help is appreciated, thanks again for your time.

[jzerosh]

Well my new doctor got a ton of blood work done, and called me in today.. he told me i tested positive for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and that it looked as though ive had it for a long time, i am wondering tho, could that cause the generalized lymphadenopathy, and the bowel issues (almost like loss of muscular control) and im fairly young, also anyone who may know about Rockey Mountain fever, will those problems ever fix themselves? thanks alot for your responses!

[jzerosh]

i have been feeling very dizzy randomly throughout the day, my skin keeps getting real hot, good news is i switched PCP's and he seems more thorough, he ordered a full bloodwork, and i had a ton of vials taken, i have had this before with no issue, but this time i got real red/hot/dizzy and the nurse had to stop, i have had alot of blood taken before without any issue.. the dizziness and tightness of my skin is a very weird sensation for me, has anyone had the same issue? doctors are kind of taking their time, and im wondering if this could be anything.. my chest keeps hurting off and on about the same time my lower abdomen starts to throb, and my stomach jumps around (looks like im breathing, but im holding my breath) my mouth stays completely dry, and i drink tons of fluids, any ideas?

[jzerosh]

The doctor claims im full of ****, he said yes their was an abnormal CT, and yes i have alot of lymph nodes, but he claims they could be normal, the largest is 1.1cm and it is the one he wants to remove if possible, but he said the means to remove it is very complicated, and its hard to get to.. i go back to get another CT soon, but since this new hives ****.. i dont know what to think, i feel like im declining quickly, yet everyone thinks im a hypocondriac, now look.. my gf had to beg me to go to the hospital, im not the type of person to complain about health issues, im just extremely scared atm, as ive never had health problems, let alone this many in succession over a very short period of time, he also says at my age he could expect prostate cancer, but not lymphoma

[jzerosh]

he claims he wont remove the lymph node untill it is atleast 2.0cm, or a signifigant change in size, but lymph nodes are popping up all over, almost anywhere i feel i can find one, but usually two. i also had to go to the ER this morning due to hives, i felt extremely hot all of the sudden, and then real shaky, and my gf noticed all the bumps and stuff, it looked crazy.. doctors said it wasangioedema, is that a sign of lymphoma in the works?

[aldos]

If u were not having pain in the swelling in ur armpits and swelling elsewhere in ur body.that might be lymphoma....so it is very necessary to rule out the lymphoma by doing lymph node aspiration cytology or biopsy.

[jzerosh]

I got the bladder results back, and they were fine. When i went to see the surgeon, he didnt want to biopsy yet(i guess the node he wants to remove is in a hard-to-get-to place. So i go back in 2 weeks to get another CT scan w/ oral and IV contrast. Since then i have noticed new nodes in my armpit area, and 2 on each side of my neck, the surgeon doesnt think it is lymphoma, but no one has treated, or tested for anything else yet, any ideas on what i should do? lol, i feel like an idiot, and doctors are treating me like i am a hypocondriac, i have always been healthy.. and this is just very odd for me, i just want to get better, im willing to do anything it takes.

[jzerosh]

thanks for your replies, i go for the bladder ultrasound tomorrow, and then tuesday to see the general surgeon, hopefully he can tell me what he thinks at the consultation.

[cindy939]

hi,
it is possible that the bleeding could be caused by scar tissue adhering to another part of your bowel. this can happen after any abdominal surgery. as far as i'm aware the only way to find out is with a laporoscopy.
good luck and find a new dr, i lost mine a year ago and i still haven't found one i am comfortable with but i will keep trying!

[roserd]

First, it doesn't sound like you and your doctor are on the same page. Not very good communication between the two of you.  
Second, I don't know where you live but if it is possible you should get a second opinion-and get with a doctor who is willing to be a little more open with you. And while your at it get copies of all your tests, one for the other doctor and one to keep for your self. Then with your copies get on the internet to find any info. you can about your CBC. and your swollen lymph nodes.

The more info you can get the better armed you are to be your own advocate and that is what it takes these days.

This may not be what you wanted to hear but good luck.
roserd

[jzerosh]

New symptom: i haven't had any alcohol in quite some time, a few months atleast. I drank 1 beer, and a little while later my i could feel my heart beating really fast, my hands started to tingle so i layed down, then both of my arms felt as though they were asleep, and my lymph nodes were all throbbing kind of in tune with my heart beat, is this normal of lymphoma? i read that they shouldnt hurt, but the one on my back hurts when touched, the others dont hurt normally, just when my heart is beating fast.