input please

katybyrd · New User Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Posts: 5

hello,
since the end of July 09, i have gone from 135 lbs to 102 lbs without trying... actually, while trying to gain weight.
i originally went to the doctor for symptoms primarily related to nausea, diarrhea, complete loss of appetite, and weight loss. i had the whole list of diagnostic tests... CT scan, blood work out the wazoo, upper and lower GI, colonoscopy with biopsies, x-ray, you name it...

last month, i moved and was advised by my doctor to keep tabs on my weight and temperature. by this point, i was feeling like somewhat of a hypochondriac, but still very ill. i gave up, in a way. doctors made me feel crazy because they kept saying that i was healthy.

so here i am, in a new state, skinnier than ever (my BMI is 17.1) and suffering from intense, drenching night sweats... so bad that i have to change not only my clothes, but my bed as well. my boyfriend is a bit fed up. i am also running a low-grade fever most of the time, between 99-100, which occasionally spikes to 101-102 range, usually at night. i cannot tolerate alcohol without becoming very ill, vomiting, etc. i sleep from 9:00PM until 1:30 in the afternoon, then spend the rest of the day in bed. i'm really scared.

in 2005, i went and had an ultrasound of a lump under my arm. doctors said it was a lymph node and to "keep an eye on it". due to feeling somewhat crazy at the doctors offices, i never mentioned this lump again.

now, though, due to the intesity of my symptoms, i did some research... honestly, i'm worried about that lump now. all other diagnostic tests are "normal" but i feel terrible. i am more tired than when i had mono even, i've never experienced this sort of fatigue, like i'm drugged.

i want to see a physician, but i am not sure how to approach this. any thoughts would be helpful. am i being crazy? what should i do? i fear that a doctor will just smile and send me on my way. i hope i am not offending anyone on this forum, your thoughts and honesty would be appreciated.

i hope the best for anyone reading this.

Vincera · Regular Joined: 17 Jun 2009 Posts: 44 Location: USA

Hi katybyrd,
Welcome to the forum. No, you’re not offending anyone – we’re here to help each other.
I’m sorry for all your suffering, and although I’m not qualified to give you medical advice I think I have a few helpful remarks.

Don’t feel “crazy”, ashamed or guilty if you have all these symptoms and this or that doc couldn’t diagnose what's wrong with you. You’re not healthy and you need proper medical help.
You should mention your lump in your next doc visit but I wonder how come they missed it so far. Doctors should check your underarm lymph nodes without you mentioning them. Maybe you should do some research about the physician and get some referrals before you book the visit. Make sure s/he’s after his/her fellowship years.

Also, tell your bf that instead of being fed up he should learn to have more compassion and if he can’t cope with the situation he should better leave you. You don’t need another emotional burden from failing to live up to his unrealistic and selfish expectations. Now I hope I didn’t offend you, but IMO you’d better exercise standing up for yourself both with docs and other people in your life. Your inner circle of family and friends should be supportive, instead of them making you feel guilty. Feeling better about yourself will help you to cope with your ill health.
Finally, what was your blood LDH level? It’s a marker of possible cancer activity.
_________________
61 y.o M, Diffuse large B cell NHL, stage 3. Lower back. Diagnosed Mid May 09. Completed 6 R-CHOP treatments on 9/8/09. In Remission: 10/19/09

ChemoMan · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 2:13 am Post subject: Re: input please

Hi katybyrd

Obviously you think you may have Lymphoma which is why you posted here. Your symptoms while concerning are no cause for alarm. You need to write them all down including any questions you may have and go and see a doctor. Don't let this advice alarm you, you probably don't have lymphoma, but it is always wise to be proactive when it comes to your health.

That is about all the help I can give at this time, the doctor is the one that can best help you from here. If by some chance you do have lymphoma please feel free to post back. Any questions you have at this stage should be left for the Doc. Do yourself a favor and make that appointment as soon as you can!

Good luck
_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... Don't forget Rule number 1

katybyrd · New User Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Posts: 5

thanks, both of you. very helpful!!

i am trying to find a good doctor. my experience in the past with doctors has not been so great. and being new to the area makes things challenging. but i've got an appointment, at least to address my weight... that is alarming to me, i've never been skinny.
but thank you for the advice. i was mostly wondering if this is something i should even consider. for the most part, i've come to the conclusion that, despite how i feel, if it were anything life-threatening or serious, it should have shown up by now.
for the record, my boyfriend is very supportive and caring. fed up, i meant the same way i am fed up with waking up every night, sometimes more than once to dry off, change my clothes, change the bed, change his clothes... load of laundry = $3... every night. it's getting really old is all. but we make jokes about it and go back to bed.

anyway thank you so much for your help. when i do find out what is behind all of this, i will let you know. best to all.

katybyrd · New User Joined: 28 Oct 2009 Posts: 5

almost forgot... LDH was "within normal limits", my records are on their way in the mail or else i'd give you an actual number. the only thing outside normal on any of my blood work was high plateletts (sp?). doc didn't seem to think it mattered.

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