RIGHT NECK MASS/LYMPHOMA?

[SAMMEY CLAM]

I HAVE A RIGHT NECK MASS/MY LYMPH NODES ARE SWOLLEN IN MY NECK AREA/I ALSO HAVE A SWOLLEN TONGUE, BLISTERS COME & GO ON MY TONGUE WHICH IS VERY SORE/MY THROAT IS SORE/ I SEEM TO BE GETTING HOT FLASHES A LOT MORE THEN NORMAL..I HAD A HYSTERECTEMY TWO YEARS AGO..BUT THE HOT FLASHES WERE GETTING BETTER ..NOW JUST RECENTLY ARE GETTING WORSE AS OF TWO WEEKS AGO..IAM ASSUMING IT MIGHT BE LYMPHOMA IAM SUPPOSE TO HAVE A PET SCAN SOON IS THAT AN ACCURATE TEST FOR LYMPHOMA?  WHAT OTHER SYMPTOMS
DOES THIS CANCER HAVE?   BASED ON WHAT MY SYMPTOMS ARE DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE LYMPHOMA ALSO? IS NON HODGKINS & LYMPHOMA THE SAME?   THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[ffpmmarc]

I have similar symptoms like most of you.  I suspect it might be stress or a mild to mod case of CFS.  I went and looked at the symptoms for CFS and have most of them. Insomnia, Tender lymph nodes, confusion, chronic fatigue,and lack of motivation, etc...   It started about 18 months ago.  I have had lab work done which came back normal, MRI of brain, HIV, Lyme Disease tests which all came back negative.  I know my stress level goes up and down but its not like I am overstressed consistently on one thing.  The only thing consistent is the stress of not knowing exactly what is going on with me.  I just take it one day at a time, try and stay busy so that I dont dwell on things.  I am 40 years old wife and two girls 7 and 9.  Thanks for allowing me to talk on this forum.

[Jenn409]

Get tested for Epstein-Barr Syndrome.

[lilbonk]

It might be a sort of anxiety disorder. The anxiety is caused when you dont know what it is and worry a lot. I have had the same thing for a while too. The prilosec should help. I take nexium once every three days and it keeps the bad feeling in my chest away (reflux). Has the doctor performed a biopsy on the swollen lymph node? Mine werent that swollen so they said they couldnt do one. They did a CAT scan which turned out normal. I too have a cough that is similar. I think it is also acid reflux. My daughter had one like that for 4 months, ear nose and throat doc prescribed her something similar to prolosec and it went away in a month (she was only 5 at the time). The way I have seen it explained is there are 2 kinds of reflux, a reflux from the stomach and one in the throat. We have both, my daughter just had the kind in her throat. The feeling in your head and leg, and chest could be all part of this CFIDS and/or anxiety. I went to the emergency room one time and they gave me a 2mg of ativan and all my symptoms went away. I know that was anxiety at that time. don't rule it out. You need a good balance of medical doctor and other care. You just need to find the one who you feel knows what they are talking about.

The antihistimine will only do you good if you have allergies, thats what about 10 doctors thought I had for the last 10 years. That just means they are not looking into it enough for you. Insist on a CAT scan at least for your neck if it really is that bad. Good luck to you, stay calm, and dont let the little things get to you.

[lisaky]

I have similar symptoms, and I was hoping someone could ease my fears of having a life threatening medical illness. I too have a swollen lymph node on the right side of my throat. It is very rarely painful, but has been there for atleast 7 months. I have had blood work done, and was tested negative for thyroid disease. Also, I have had x-rays and the doctor prescribed an antihistamine, which did not help at all. Lately, I have had a burning feeling (mostly in my stomach) and was recently prescribed prilosec otc. It has helped for the most part with the stomach burning, but I also have a tight feeling in my head, and a weird feeling, almost a pain in my lower left leg. On top of this, I have a cough and am constantly coughing up fleem. Its not like a sickness cough with a dark colored fleem, it is very dry, with clear fleem. I even feel an occaassional pain in either side of my chest. I feel like I am going crazy. I have been to several different doctors, and for the most part, they all say it is panic/anxiety disorder. I accepted this diagnosis for a long time, but now it just feels as if my entire body is going crazy. if anyone can relate ...please do so and let me know. Thank you!

[PlateletGal]

I would considering use a search engine, like google, to check out the Naturopathic physicians in your area. Also you could call their office and make sure they know how to rule out and treat conditions like lyme disease and CFIDS. If you do decide to schedule an appointment, I would bring all of your medical records from your primary care physician with you.... especially the lab work you've had done. It is important that you give you a proper diagnosis.

One thing about CFIDS patients' is we often have low cortisol levels, low uric acid levels (just like patients' who have MS) and low blood pressure --- often with postural orthostatic tachycardia. (do you ever get dizzy when you stand up --- heart racing ?)  There is a research lab test that can give you clues whether or not you have CFIDS or fibro --- it is very expensive and only Medicare will pay for the test at this time. The name of the lab is Red Labs USA and they have a website.

[lilbonk]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have been seeing an acupuncurist twice a week now but the needles hurt my nerves for most of the day. I am very sensitive in my nerves. I'm going to stick with him for twenty visits until my health care stops paying for it and see if it helps.

Do you have any recommendations on how to find a GOOD holistic physician? It seems that no MD believes at all in that stuff and no chiropractor I have seen believes in anything doctors do. I believe there must be a happy median where some medications are beneficial and some herbs and other alternative treatments are beneficial.

[PlateletGal]

I have CFS and I also managed to work for many years, even when I didn't have a diagnosis. But I also saw a lot of holistic physicians and had acupuncture treatments and would try anything that I believed may help me. Fortunately, alternative medicine did help me manage my symptoms.

You may want to consider seeing a Naturopathic physician to help you with your symptoms.

[lilbonk]

Thank you for the reference. My internal doc (main doc who has done tests) said it could be CFS but I don't think he is too informed on it, although I think he cares and knows I am not crazy if he did suggest CFS. I am not THAT bad yet. While I have had months of tiredness, most of the day I am able to function and even some light physical exercise. I have a half time job and half time school and soemtimes I dont want to be at work or school but I still have never called in sick. When I am stressed the symptoms are worse (but stress does not cause a fever). Anyway, thank you for that site, it may very well be what it is. I think I just needed to be positive and that was the most stressful part-not knowing what it was. I'll keept posting and checking with updates. This is a good site, and even though we're not medical professionals, we can get something from discussion.

[PlateletGal]

You may want to consider checking out the CFIDS Association of America website and clicking on "do you have CFIDS".

[lilbonk]

I have had similar symptoms with the swollen tongue, sore neck and armpit lymph nodes slight fever which comes and goes (98.9 to 100 but no more) very tired feeling which also comes and goes, sometimes a feeling of fullness-bloating in my gut and not wanting to eat, then that went away. MRI's catscans- years and years of blood work...on and on with multiple docs. was worried about the lymph nodes and saw an oncologist who did a full ct scan and said everything normal except very small deposits in lungs but said not to worry and get it rescanned in 6 months. (nothing on xray)  Lymph nodes normal size except for one thats 3 mm in my chest area. He said what I have is probably a virus. As far as I know the only time I was bit by a tick was 30 years ago so I dont suspect lyme disease. Blood work shows slightly low white count, slightly elevated liver tests, and elevated lymphocites%, everything else is absolutely normal and has been. Recently saw a massage therapist who said that my muscles are all tight and I'v ebeen beuilding up stress which could cause a buildup of toxins in my body. Am now seeing an acupuncturist and trying that. I will try to see an immunologist. but so far still no concrete answer.

[PlateletGal]

I'm so sorry to hear that you are still going through this. To be honest with you, I don't believe physicians' who don't believe in lyme disease by now should be practicing. Its just absolutely ridiculous --- and your titers have been postiive !!!

Good luck with this new physician. I'm sure he/she will get you back on track.

[Springbrock04]

I had positive test 142 but a equivilent western blot and then another positive test of 121. I had 4 weeks of doxy but i have muscle twitching, aches, headaches  stiff neck feeling of something caught in my throught, lost 20 lbs then gained 30. doxy was last fall. for the last 7 months my left calf and foot feel tight and weird all the time. i have had mri"s catscans, emgs(2) bloodwork, biopsys, ultrasounds and been to see every kind of dr. nobody believes in lyme. i am going to see a new dr in august that came to ny from conn. and is familair with lyme. so wish me luck. I had had trouble since 2 days after a camping trip last August.

[1286K]

In my opinion, fine needle aspiration from your neck mass and send them to pathologist might be a better diagnostic tool for lymphoma.
Good luck!

[DebM412]

Mouth sores are a result of a compromised immune system. Yes, they could be from lyme. Have you been diagnosed yet? There are sooo many symptoms associated with this disease!

Deb

[Springbrock04]

Are mouth sores a sign of lyme disease???? I am struggling with possible lyme and i have tongue sores but never attributed it!

[DebM412]

Are you lymph nodes large - Larger than 1 cm? Blister and tongue swelling are not lymphoma symptoms. If I were you I would find a doc who knows something about lyme disease and be tested. Most do not know.

Let me know.

Deb