Possible lymphoma?? UPDATE

I've been reading this forum for weeks unsure whether or not to post my story but Im starting to worry and I really don't want to search Google.  I'm a 27 year old female ex smoker quit last year due to falling pregnant.  So I've had a painless swollen lymph node below my jaw for about a year and a half didn't really think anything of it for the past 2 years I've been suffering from my right ear blocking that last for weeks then pops and all is well but this time round it started leaking fluid so decided to go to the doctors was prescribed 3 different types of antibiotics none helped at all so was then given antibiotic ear drops they seems to clear the discharge but my ear still feels slightly blocked and I'm suffering tinnitus in the ear. I've now noticed the lymph node has gotten bigger no pain and obviously hasn't went away I have another one on the same side of neck but just above the collarbone and 3 more on the left side. I've also been getting facial numbness and tingling on the right side of my face.  This has been ongoing for 8 weeks since my first doctors appointment about the ear discharge. I've noticed I have 3 swollen lymph nodes on my groin I've lost a lot of weight but put it down to having my baby 6 months ago and just assumed it was baby weight I was losing I have no appetite and don't feel hungry. I'm exhausted all the time but I put it down to having 2 kids but both my kids sleep all night so I'm getting my full 8 hours I could literally sleep all day if I had the chance I've never been this tired.  Now the bottom of my back is really sore and I feel asif I'm getting nerve pain around my vulva, thighs and buttocks.  I've started getting cramps that feel like period cramps in my abdomen near the bottom.  My left knee has started flaring up and becoming painful for no reason every 3 weeks or so started about 4 months ago and the pain travels down my calf and up my thigh.  I get really hot at night not to the point I'm soaking but I do seem to sweat a lot more than usual.  The bone in my left arm starts to ache every now and again it's hard to explain the pain it's like cramping but I can feel it in my bone.  I've had my bloods taken results should be back possibly Tuesday and I've been referred to ENT just waiting on my appointment coming through. I don't know who to talk to about this my partner thinks I'm being silly and over reacting but I'm just really worried its cancer.  My family aren't very supportive either their not exactly the most supportive. Am I over reacting? has anyone else suffered similar symptoms and it being cancer or something else that's serious. I know no one can say it's definetly cancer I just need some advice I have 2 kids and I'm scared.

 

Thanks for listening. 

 

Laura z

 

Ps. Had a follow up appointment after my antibiotics and there's nothing wrong with my ear no infection no damage looks absolutely fine which has me worried even more. 

  • Hi Laura,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm sorry to read about the issues you've been experiencing recently, although glad to see you have felt able to post on this forum - often just writing things down can help a little.

    This kind of uncertainty is always difficult, especially when things are unexplained. I would encourage you to try not to combine all your symptoms into one big problem, as they may not be connected and some may also be caused or exacerbated by worry.

    In addition also try not worry too much until you find out more at your upcoming appointments. I know this is often easier said than done.

    Try to keep track of your symptoms by noting them down and perhaps making a note each day about any changes - both to help you keep an eye on things as well as useful information for the doctor when you have your appointment.

    Do continue to use this forum as a safe space to write down any worries or thoughts if you find it helpful - this is a very supportive community of people.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • So it's been 2 months since I last posted and I'm no way forward at all. I've found anoth lump below my skull on the left side of my neck. Been signed off work with shoulder and neck pain which feels like it's coming from the lump behind my neck the pain has been constant for the past 3 weeks. I have more swollen lymph nodes pop up that have been there for 6 weeks plus the ones mentioned above are all still here and all of them are painless. The lump below my jaw has gotten bigger and I've now developed a cough that just doesn't seem to go away. Doctors keep brushing me off and making me feel like I'm overreacting. One doctor said your young it's highly unlikely to be cancer I'm 27 and I'm pretty sure you can get cancer at any age I just don't know what to do anymore I've seen 4 different doctors and they've all brushed me off and said nothing to worry about. I'm exhausted all the time everyone always asks me if I'm not well as I'm so pale and have dark eye bags. I'm usually naturally slightly tanned. 

     

    Still not received my ENT appointment which is really frustrating me because if I do have any sort of cancer and I'm being ignored im afraid it will spead. I'm so ill I know there's something wrong I just don't know what. I've all got a hard non movable lump on the front of my throat below my thyroid not sure what it is but I struggle to swallow feel asif there's something lodged in my throat all the time. Please where can I go from here? my partner is calling me a hypochondriac and making me feel like I'm being silly and he wants me to just ignore it. I can't I need answers. 

  • Well you are not being a hypochondriac and you do need answers. Have you phoned up the ENT department and asked them about your appointment? The email requesting an appointment for my husband got lost and had we not kept phoning up we'd probably still be waiting. Phone the consutants secretary if you know who you have been referred to  and mention night sweats and weight loss.

    The most likely cause is possibly reactive lymph nodes that may eventually go, they can stay high for a while after infection. You still need this investigated. 

    I have sinus problems and chewing gum with 100% xylitol  up to 4 times a day after meals (but no more than 8 pieces a day) will help with any residual ear infection. 

    With 2 children backache may be due to lifying them, which you probably do quite a bit. Dont assume all these things are connected and do try and support your back properly when sitting.

  • Another update.

    Went last Friday for another blood test was to make an appointment for me rest on the Tuesday went in and apparently I have folate deficiency anemia and iron deficiency anemia sent on my way with a prescription for iron tablets and folic acid to return in 8 weeks to get them checked again I'm not happy about this at all. Does this sound concerning to anyone? I'm pretty bloody concerned as I said on op I had a baby now 9 months ago I was taking folic acid everyday all my blood results were fine should than not raise alarm bells? I'm frustrated that my doctor is just brushing me off again what can I do to be referred? Still no word on my ent appointment mentioned to my doctor that I still hadn't heard anything he said he was going to look into it not heard a thing from him since. Has anyone had both folate deficiency anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia? 

  • Hi how did you get on? I hope things are okay