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SeekingInfo
New User
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:37 am Post subject: Seeking information |
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I know that I shouldn't expect complete answers here, but I'm hoping somebody can shed some light on my experience while I await further information from my doctor. I'm an 8-years HIV+ man with an undetectable viral load and normal immune system. For the past 6 weeks I've had drenching night sweats every night but two and have been totally exhausted. When I visited my gp about the night sweats on March 23, he noticed that I'd lost 12 pounds in 4 weeks and had a *slightly* enlarged submandibular lymph node in my left neck. Alarmed at my weight loss and night sweats, he ordered a complete blood chemistry, HIV viral load and CD4 count, TB test and chest xray. All have come back "clear." Last week I underwent an abdominal and pelvic CT scan and am awaiting the results.
Intellectually, I know that the chances of this turning out to be lymphoma are very slight, despite an increased risk due to my HIV status. I have to admit that I'm worried though. My other symptoms over the past few weeks seem a little weird to me. I've felt out of breath after climbing one or two fights of stairs (I'm usually quite active and healthy) and I've noticed a "throbbing pulse" every hour or so, which makes the blood vessels in my neck feel like they're working overtime. I've had off and on digestive problems, but I've chalked that up to my 8 years on HIV medications. I've had the feeling of a "stitch" in my left side, just behind and under my last rib, for about a week - sort of like after running - which I've told myself is still from the barrium sulfate suspensions I had to drink for the CT scans. Maybe the weirdest symptom which may be totally unrelated is that after walking my dog or any other "long" distance, both of my knees feel swollen and are difficult to bend.
I should hear today or tomorrow about the results of the CT scan and i'm fully confident that the scan will come back with no anomolies, but I'd like to know if anybody has had any symptoms like mine or experienced anything like this.
Any input or guidance is most appreciated. Thanks! |
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rlee
Site Admin
Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 245
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| Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:25 pm Post subject: Symptoms |
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SeekingInfo,
I think your GP is doing the right thing. HIV patients due have an increased incidence of cancers and infections as well even with well controlled HIV. Continue with your evaluation. Good Luck,
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RLee, MD
Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions. |
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SeekingInfo
New User
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:32 am Post subject: CT scan results |
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I got my CT scan results yesterday and the radiologist reported no signs of lymphoma in my abdoment but noted some "intestinal wall thickening." Unsurprisingly, I'm incredibly relieved. My GP has handed me off to my HIV specialist to try to get to the bottom of what's going on with me; I'll see him next week.
I know that I'm still at risk for lymphoma and my symptoms still point that way, but I'm taking the clear abdominal CT scan as a sign that I'm probably clear of lymphoma. Any thoughts on that? |
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rlee
Site Admin
Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 245
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| Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject: HIV & Lymphoma |
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SeekingInfo,
In general I think you're right. However, in medicine nothing is for certain and cancer is an area that anything can happen. It makes it less likely you have lymphoma with a CT without enlarged lymph nodes. I think if a cause can't be found, then it may need to be revisited. I often trust patients symptoms more than any test. As one of my professors taught me, treat patients not the test. Good luck,
_________________
RLee, MD
Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions. |
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