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Hairloss, lumps, sweats, confusion

astralsphynx
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Just joined this forum after reading different peoples posts for weeks, I've tried my best to stop myself from worrying but it doesn't seem to do any good, esspecially since I know I am the one who will have to fight for tests, treatments, etc.- So trying to convince myself everything is fine is no good. I am only a 21 year old woman, studying at University, which makes this even more scary since I have no idea what to do and I don't really have a support structure around me. 

I have had a range of different symptoms over the past year or so, about 9 months ago I noticed patches of hairloss on my scalp, I went to the doctors about this and was told there was nothing to worry about so I pretty much forgot it. Then, about 6 months ago I noticed painful lumps behind my ears on my skull. I shrugged this off as an infection (like everyone tells you to not worry) but they have not gone down at all and have infact gotten bigger and more painful through this time. I am now noticing other simialr lumps on my head/neck, though this alone would not have made me worry. 

Since the start of December (so almost 2 months now) I have been experiencing a range of very strange symptoms. Hot sweats, mental confusion/foggy head, extreme pains/feeling of malaise throughout my whole body. intermitten fevers. I couldn't eat at all and so I have lost a lot of weight and don't seem to be putting any back on; Things seem to improve one day but just get even worse the next. Recently I have been experiencing extreme fatigue to the point of being in bed all day and unable to do anything other than sleep with a hour or so of being awake inbetween my naps as well as terrible headaches all over my head. Today I noticed even more dramatic patches of hair loss throughout my scalp.

I have already been to the Dr's about this twice and they have taken two blood tests. First showed lymphocytes outside of normal range, (5.5) and second showed them still outside normal range but going down slightly (5.1), these tests were only a week apart so my Dr did say if it is an infection then this might be why. But I've been ill for so long now and I cannot cope with not being able to do anything all day for going on 2 months, with absolutely no answers. 

I have checked and I have no swollen lymphnodes under my arms (for now). It is hard to tell if the nodes in my groin are swollen because I'm quite thin so I can feel them anyway.

My main issue is I have no idea how to force the doctor to take me seriously or what I can even do at this point to help myself? It feels like my family and friends would much rather convince themselves everything is fine/a simple infection, until things get too bad to ignore. But I cannot live like this anymore. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I tell my doctor or how I make my family take this more seriously? It's terrible to be a 21 year old woman apparently in my "prime" watching all my friends go out, make plans and enjoy life whilst I'm stuck in bed contemplating my own death. 

I'm sorry this post is so long! I am very grateful to anyone who managed to read through it and absolutely any support or guidance would go a massive way for me right now. Are these symptoms reminiscent of anyone else's experiences with Lymphoma? Thank you again so much for just taking the time to look over my post. xx

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    Hey hun, 

    I read your post and felt I needed to reply, I feel like you are so distressed and at your wits end, so I thought any kind of support would be good for you right now. 

    I'm only 22 just like you, and since the age of 18 have had scary experiences with lumps in my breasts. Given my family history, my family and my doctor took these seriously each time luckily. But if you feel as though this is something that is effecting you so much, then you need to firstly be clear with your family and friends about that. Sit them down, and explain (if you are comfortable enough to) how this is making you feel, how poorly you are feeling and how you really want a diagnosis and treatment for it, no matter what it turns out to be. Tell them how much it worries you, and that you feel you need support and their understanding throughout of it. 

    Secondly, id highly recommend seeing another doctor, for a second opinion and for them to take you seriously. When you do see this doctor, do exactly the same as I suggested with your family, tell them how ill and debilitating this is becoming, and how you felt the last doctor wasn't taking you seriously and wasn't looking into it properly. Ask him for ultrasounds, ask him to get the lumps checked out. It is more than likely not cancerous, but it's best to get anything checked that is abnormal, especially something that is concerning you so much and is causing such illness. If it is an infection or something else, at least then the doctors will know what it is and will hopefully be able to treat or help with it. 

    I really hope you do get the answers you want and deserve, and I'm sure you'll find plenty of other members on here that have had same experiences too, and will give you advice also. 

    Lots of love and hugs to you 

    Alexia xxxx

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