hey guys, im scared i have lymphoma.

hey lovelies, i am a 17 year old college student who has had to deal with (diagnosed) health anxiety (hypochondria with a different name, basically) for around 4 ish and i am terrified that i have lymphoma. i used to go to the doctors about 2 times a week with a new thing that made me think i had cancer. the fear started around the time my grandad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he was my best friend and sadly he didnt make, he was given 6 months to like but survived for 13 like the true fighter he was. it is nearing the 3 year anniversarry of his death and i have been more scared than ever. i used to think i had a brain tumor and went to the doctor around 15 times for that so he sent me to an optitians that determinned i had to wear glasses, this was the cause of my migraines that i am still being medicated for. although i have recentlly had a cold and i have 2 lymph nodes on each side of my neck that feel enlarged. i have no symptoms of lymphoma and i had a blood test just under a year ago that said my liver enzymes were elevated but my doctor said this was normal. i noticed the enlarged lymph nodes 18 days ago and they feel no different although i still had the cold when i found them. i am not comparing my fear to the fear of somebody who actually has lymphoma as i know i may just be dramatic. any advice on what i can do? thank you so much for reading, have a great day~ Abby :)

  • Hi Abby 

    I think you could do with checking in with your GP xx if you’re worried about physical symptoms he or she will be able to check them out but...I think you should really speak with them about your anxiety. 

    You don’t have to live like this....health anxiety can be successfully treated. You’re only young...best to get these things sorted out now so you don’t have to carry it with you through life xx 

     

  • Hi Abby.

    I agree with @starcatone You should get treatment for your anxieties.

    I usually start out my posts by saying I'm not a doctor, so this post is no different.

    Glands (lymph nodes) swell up when they're fighting an infection - they're part of the immune system, and swelling up is in their job description.  While they're fighting the infection, they can get painful to the touch.  Sometimes, the infection they're fighting can be too low grade for us to be aware of it consciously. That's we sometimes get swollen glands for no apparent reason.  Once the infection has been fought, the glands return to normal. This can take as long as 4 weeks, and sometimes a gland stays swollen; this is not usual but it's quite harmless.

    Right now, you've got a cold or maybe some other virus, and the glands in your throat are swollen. That's all as nature intended. Eighteen days isn't long enough to get concerned about, particularly as there is an explanation for the swelling, and you have none of the classic lymphoma symptoms. 

    If you don't develop any other symptoms but that glands are still swollen in 3-4 weeks time, then that's when you should think about consulting the doctor.  Of course, if you get any of the lymphoma symptoms, particularly drenching night sweats, then visit your GP at once.

    And again, I remind you I'm not a doctor and this isn't advice from a qualified practitioner. 

     

  • Hi, 

    I agree 100%. You're so young you need to tackle the anxiety so that it doesn't affect your whole life as it will do if you leave it. You shouldn't be feeling like this bless you so make sure you tell the doctor exactly what's happening so that he can give you the right help. Take care. 

    Xxxxx