Really scared I have lymphoma

I got Crohn's Disease in 2016 and began taking Methotrexate for it in 2017. I've used it since then, but it's an immunosuppressant. Combining this with the fact that I think I got Herpes from someone I kissed in October, I've spent the last two months struggling with headaches, earaches, and now pain swallowing. In the past couple of weeks I've noticed swollen lymph nodes in my neck. I've convinced myself I've got cancer and am having panic attacks, probably because of health anxiety. I have a blood test on Wednesday, and am not taking my methotrexate today, to see how this affects my already depressed white cell count. I also have an MRI scan soon. Does it sound like I'm going to have cancer? Because I'm struggling to see how I don't and it's eating me alive.

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    Hi Sdwright,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear about your worries, but you are doing the right thing by getting these investigated. I am not a doctor, but please do not change how you take any of your medication prior to having any tests, unless advised to do so by your care team. This could possibly skew any results, which would not be helpful in the long run. 

    It is impossible to predict whether or not someone has cancer by symptoms alone. There are so many different reasons for the symptoms you mention. The only way to be certain is to have some simple tests carried out. Talk to your GP and tell him/her of your fears.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine 

  • Im a 20 yo male sharing the same symptoms. I had mononucleosis in March 2021 and ever since then I've had an extremely swollen lymph node in the right side of my neck. I went to the emergency room 8 months later to get it checked out and my bloodwork came back clean and they told me to keep an eye on it. But within the past month: everything has changed. I can't eat large meals anymore due to an enlarged spleen, I wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, I've lost 15 pounds in 3 months, and my throat is often sore for no reason - which sometimes causes an earache. I don't know what to do at this point. I think I may try to have a biopsy on the swollen lymph node as I suspect I have lymphoma as well. Are you experiencing any profuse sweating, like when eating or with the slightest bit of physical activity? Honestly, the sweating has been the worst for me, but my inability to eat like I used to is really getting to me.