Advice please

10 May 2020 13:01

Hi

I firstly want to say I am sending utmost love to anyone who has been diagnosed with this disease. I do not yet know what is wrong with me but would really appreciate any advice if anyone has the time to give it. I am 32 y/o female with two little ones :-) 

My lymph nodes have been questionable since contracting Epstein Barr a few years ago. About 10 days ago I started to feel unusually tired, been in bed most of week with aching limbs, waking up with night sweats, itchy. All of my neck glands are enlarged but one in particular at the front is so enlarged that it's hard to open my jaw. It's about 2 inches long at least. My gums have begun bleeding also even when I'm not brushing. So I'm now a couple of weeks in and feeling worse. Sent to A & E as swelling in neck got so big. First doctor considered abcess but consultant said no it's defo a lymph node. 

ANYWAY (if anyone is still with me) I saw a consultant who said my bloods were normal aside from marginally increased CRP which he was disappointed by as he was hoping to find evidence of a localised infection. Chest x-ray also clear. He basically said he's in two minds and in a difficult situation as an emergency consultant. He said it could well be a really nasty virus but that it doesn't necessarily explain why my mouth is now in such a state or why I get nightsweats. He then said he has some question marks by my name but that they are small, and if they were bigger he would admit me. He said it I find any lumps in my groin or armpits to go back there but to have a sort of wait and see approach. 
 

My questions are ... should I ask the GP to refer me for a scan or biopsy anyway? I understand what consultant says but it feels vague. He admitted himself he's not quite sure what the outcome will be. He said he's not sure why I don't have a fever if it's a virus but do have nightsweats. He said it's very strange. I'm not trying to 'skip the queue' but just am a bit lost on what to do next to really so if anyone has ever experienced anything like this, do let me know x

 

  • Hi LJ,

    I'm afraid I can't answer your question but didn't want you to feel you were being ignored.

    The nurses will be back online tomorrow and will be better able to respond than the rest of us who are mainly patients and their families or friends.

    On your discharge from ED a discharge summary should have been sent electronically to your GP, it would be worth arranging an appointment to discuss your understandable concerns. The practice will be triageing calls because of the epidemic, please don't hesitate to tell them that this is urgent and that you are worried you may have cancer following your visit to A&E. Most areas have set up Covid-free clinics which patients with possible cancer symptoms can attend.

    Best wishes

    Dave

  • Hi LJ,

    Thought I'd respond to your post as a few days I literally posted something very similar to what your experiencing. 
     

    Same as you I was told I have EBV about 2 years ago now, however a persistent swollen lymph node (or so I've been told) has remained. Recently this has been causing me more issues, including fatigue, aches, stiff jaw, tight neck and I'm worried this has always possibly been something more. 
     

    I think I will be asking my GP for further tests as I've never been offered a scan/ biopsy or anything. I assume this is because otherwise I am young and healthy but I think we know our bodies! I've seen many other people on here talk about swollen nodes so it must be very common and we're not alone! 

     

    i really hope you get some peace of mine soon