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jadeddusk
New User
Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject: update |
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Hello everyone 
ok so i wrote a message a while back entitled very very worried (i believe) for those of you who havn't seen it basically the story was that since december 2005 i've had swollen lymph nodes that have increased in number since. Ok so shortly after posting here i went to the DR for the second time. I was told that this is normal!!!! Normal to have 5 permanently swollen lymph nodes?! none of them have increased in size but over time more are becoming swollen. And staying swollen. My problem now is that this is now the 2nd dr that has told me that nothing is wrong without examining me properly. Where do i now turn to? it's been nearly 2 years since my first swollen node. Also how many of you had been told there was nothing wrong and how did you come abot getting a diagnosis? and how long did it take?
Just for a brief history:
In december 2005 i noticed a swollen node about the size of a pea at the back of my neck. Then in january i noticed a large movable but firm node on the upper side of my neck just below my jaw. Then back in march this year noticed my node under my ear was slightly swollen. About 3 months ago i noticed a hard swollen node on the other side of my neck under my jaw, and then about 2 months ago i noticed another swollen node further down my neck on my right side. I still have all these swollen nodes and they are still the same side.
Sorry for the long message, i just want to get to the bottom of all this and after 2 years of worrying want to really know what is wrong.
Thanks guys |
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brainman
Chief Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 4435
Location: Tennessee
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umbleweed
Regular
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: update |
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I'm sorry that your having problems with your health at the moment, and i understand totally how frustrating it is trying to get some clear answers.
It seems like doctors act asif they know ''everything'' or atleast the majority of the one i have being to see. In actual fact, and in my case they usually dismiss younger patients with the most "likely" benign condition without proper examination or further testing, which in all fairness the majority of the time they are probably correct. But you can't help feeling insulted when you leave the doctors surgery without serious answers to your health and especially without any further investigation other than a very brief in-aduquate physical examination.
Swollon lymph nodes which do not decrease in size unless you have a present infection, viral, bacterial or whatever... are NOT normal, This doesnt obviously mean its something serious and again the majority of the time probably isn't but it still isnt normal.
I discovered swollen lymph nodes almost 5 years ago in my throat, stupdily i didnt bother to investigate the problem any further until i became sick almost 10 months ago now, and i STILL dont have any answers. After being dismissed by almost 3-4 smart-arsed doctors feeling pretty damn insulted, practically rushed out the office before i could finish my problems, and left with more questions than answers i decided to stop taking the "doctor knows best" approach and started demanding things as apposed to going into the office and expecting the doctor to send me off on his own accord. Eventually i found a doctor that started doing something practical about the situation, I have a ENT doctor appointment tommorrow evening and im hoping this will get me some answers. I'm actually at the point where i really dont care what it is, its the patiently waiting and withering away that i cant handle.
The moral of the story is dont let people brush you off without any hard evidence. Dont give up, Your fighting for your health which at the end of the day is the most important thing you have. If your doctor refuses to do anything further after you have demanded further testing, then its time to pack up your medical records and be on your way to another doctor who actually will listen to you.
Best of luck,
Anthony. |
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jadeddusk
New User
Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: update |
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Thankyou to both of you for your replies. I will be asking my DR about idiopathic lymphodeama (sorry, i'm not really too sure how to spell that Brainman)
I'm going to make another appointment this week, and now because i have private medical insurance (i live in England, so trying to get anything done on the NHS is near impossible!) i am going to request a biopsy.
With biopsies, can i just get a biopsy of one lump done and get a result? Or would i need to get a few?
I'm also very worried as i've had this for 2 years now (almost to date) so am worried i will be told there is nothing they can do for me  i've just started feeling unwell, have had an almost constant headache for the past week and have been feeling really tired. Have been telling myself these past 2 years that nothing is wrong as i have not had any other symptoms, but i guess now i can't deny that something isn't right.
I think the thing with cancer is that you always think the worst, i think that i need a positive side of the story to help me think ok well if thats what i have then i'm going to fight and get through this.
Any update with your condition umbleweed? |
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umbleweed
Regular
Joined: 22 Nov 2007
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject: Re: update |
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Hi jadeddusk - How much do you pay for your private health care insurance (if you don't mind me asking) - I'm stuck on the NHS, And i would of being waiting longer to have seen a ENT if i hadnt kicked up a fuss and got my doctor to ring up for a urgent appointment.
The ENT doctor wasnt too great, he seemed to dismiss my concerns of the weight loss (which is suppost to be a sign of a serious illness), i even emphasized the state of my arms and legs in particular, the viens sticking out, even my hands look like roadmaps. Somehow he couldnt add up how that was attributed to weight loss... I cant even wear short sleeve t-shirts anymore, i eat loads aswel. Ive always being a skinny lad, but this is just dangerous weight. Im now a stone under my normal BMI.
Anyway he had a quick prodd around at my lymph nodes and said NHL isnt in my age category, he looked down my throat etc, Didnt say anything of great interest, Ive got a CT scan of my throat to see the size of the nodes etc. And a Fine Needle Biopsy of one of the nodes in my throat. But the scan isnt for another 4 weeks, and the FNA in 5 weeks. It just seems like a constant wait after another with these people. I was really hoping to have some answers before xmas  - Ive booked myself in for some more bloodtests because mine are now 3 months outdated, so im hoping there will be something new there.
He apparently cannot do a full biopsy without the FNB first. I havent a clue why but too be honest i really dont care because its better than nothing!
I just got a letter through the door today for my neurologist appointment aswel, 13th of febuary 2 months wait... I'm hoping that will be irrelivent once i have had my CT scan and FNA.
I know how you feel about worrying, Especially something like this. Once you get locked into the circle of it all its hard to stop thinking about it. I wouldnt have that kind of outlook, If it is something terrible (and god forbid it isnt) the treatment nowadays is the best its ever bein and your chances are pretty good! Think positive and try to get your doctors to get this fully investigated as soon as possible, because as soon as you have some answers it will be a great deal of weight off your shoulders.
As far as i'm aware biopsys are generally performed on the largest/most suspicious looking node, This is something you'd have to discuss with your GP but from what ive heard its usually just the one node.
Try and remember not to attribute every single symptom to the problem. Headaches and feeling unwell are year-round things for most people, especially with the weather in this country  lol. Stress/Anxiety/Worry also contributes to everything too... It depresses your immune system.
Keep in touch,
Anthony. |
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