Hodgkin lymphoma and aging

I was diagnosed with HL in 1986 at 14 years old.

I am now 52.

In the last couple of years I have noticed that I'm not aging as well as my peers.

I have a lot of joint pain, been diagnosed with COPD, a hiatus hernia (I presume from throwing up a lot), dyspepsia and I have battled depression and low mood all my life (it started a couple of months into treatment and was like a door opening in my mind that I could never close).

I find that I often have little energy or run out of energy quickly.

It isn't debilitating but the joint pain and lack of energy are starting to effect my life.

Is it likely to be accelerated ageing?

As a teenager I was told that I was unlikely to live past my early 60s, that is now alarmingly close.

I eat well and exercise moderately.

Thank you for any response.

  • Hello and thank you for posting.

    I am sorry that you are noticing your general health changing as you get older. It is not unusual to have lasting effects from previous Lymphoma treatment. I would recommend you discuss your concerns with your GP so that they are aware of the changes that you are noticing.

    Lymphoma Action, the UK lymphoma charity, and the Cancer Research UK website, both discuss the late-onset effects of treatment. These may be interesting for you to read and even print off to take with you to your doctor's appointment. 

    In some hospital trusts, there are late effects clinics, but it may be that just flagging your concerns about the changes that you have noticed will be helpful for your medical records and make your doctor aware of what you are experiencing. They may then have a lower threshold than usual to then investigate symptoms that you complain of due to your history.

    Take care and if you want to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline the number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040. The lines are open from 9 am till 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

    Sarah.