Convinced I had lymphoma (I don’t)

Hi everyone

I'm writing this post as a couple of months ago I was searching for positive stories to do with lymphoma symptoms and struggled to come across many. I thought I'd share mine just incase anyone is going through something similar.

It all started with a lump on the left side of my neck (swollen lymph node) with no signs of infection or other illness. I hadn't been ill in years so I knew the lump was due to something else since it had only just come up. I then googled this and realised I had several other symptoms of lymphoma such as extreme itchiness, fatigue and I also experienced chest pain when drinking alcohol which is a very specific symptom. As you can imagine I put 2 and 2 together and the only outcome I could see was lymphoma. I spent all my time researching statistics and even preparing myself for chemo, I was that convinced!
 

After several weeks of tests and Dr appointments, it was confirmed I didn't have lymphoma which was a huge relief. My lymph node gradually started to get smaller and has now disappeared  (after being swollen for over two months). The dr's still don't know what caused it to swell or the reason for my other symptoms but I'm just so relieved it wasn't lymphoma.

No matter how convinced you are, just know that there is every possibility that your symptoms may be caused by something else as I was 99.99% sure something was wrong when it wasn't. The internet always shows the absolute worst outcomes.

 

  • Thank you for this post, it gives me some hope!

    My 17yo daughter has the neck lump clinic on Friday and I'm hoping that despite all the indicators it is not anything scary. 

    I'm really happy for your good news x

  • Hi, I just wondered what tests you had to rule out lymphoma? I'm currently undergoing investigations for a swollen lymph node in my neck. The knee *** response from my GP was cancer. And all tests so far have been rushed through in a matter of days. Bloods and chest x-ray both came back clear. I have no other symptoms than a hard golf ball sized lymph node. I've been tired but not excessively given I'm working 6 day weeks and burning the candle at both ends. People keep saying my bloods are normal which means everything is ok. But my mind is in overdrive because I kind of expected my bloods to come back saying it was just an infection...

  • Hi JJ86,

    Sorry to hear your also going through this. I know how hard it is waiting for a diagnosis. I was exactly the same as you, I was given a blood test first which came back normal even though I was also expecting it to show something up like an infection , high white cell count etc but everything was fine. I was relieved at first but then looked at the internet (big mistake) which said lymphoma may not show up by getting bloods taken. I was then back to panic mode. Next I was given an ultrasound which confirmed swollen lymph node and my next step was then meant to be a biopsy. Before I got this done the lymph node started to shrink which Drs said was a good sign. The biopsy ended up getting cancelled as it basically disappeared so there was no lymph node to test. I also had a clear chest (which is a good sign). As for the fatigue, I am also run down constantly so don't focus on that too much. I know it's hard but try not to worry as there are loads and loads of possibilities it may be. My lymph node was swollen for over two months before it disappeared and  I still don't know the reason. To be 100% sure, a biopsy will determine if it has any abnormal cells. Hopefully yours will turn out to be fine too, I'm sure it will :)

  • Hi Tallydms,

    Hope your doing okay, I'm 19 so a similar age to your daughter, and I know my mum was extremely worried while i was getting tests, even though she tried not to show it. Whatever you do try not to read the internet as it always pointed me to lymphoma no matter where i looked. I would spend hours researching symptoms and stories and become more and more worried. I'm sure your daughter will be fine as there are so many possibilities which could cause a swollen node, other than an infection and I'm glad my post gave you some hope :)

  • Hey Cam1, 

    So pleased I stumbled onto your thread & I'm happy for your good news. I'm in the exact same position right now & im so scared.

    You mentioned extreme itchiness. I also have this & it's driving me crazy! Has yours gone now? My blood tests have come back normal too but I'm still so itchy & everything I read points to it being a symptom of cancer. 

  • Hello, I hope you are all well and have been reassured by your tests. 
    I just wanted to share a little story about my cousin, he was 17 when he was diagnosed with lymphoma, he had no lumps or bumps, he had loss of appetite and due to this lost some weight but didn't think much of it. Wasn't until he had mentioned that he had been suffering from extreme abdominal pains for some time that his dad rushed him to a&e and there he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He had 6 months of treatment and has been in remission for nearly 4 years! Try not to worry too much, and take my advice(from someone who suffers extreme health anxiety) do not google, it rules your life!! Believe me it's not a nice feeling. Good luck to you all x

  • Hi Asil7

    Hope your doing okay. My bloods also came back normal but I couldn't shake the itchiness or fatigue! Every time I searched swollen lymph node and itchiness, lymphoma was the only option to come up and I was terrified, like yourself. I still do have the itchiness but once I was told I didn't have lymphoma, I asked my dr what on earth could be causing it. Whilst they don't know the exact reason, I was told there are loads of conditions that could cause it such as dry skin, allergies, reactions, food intolerances and much more and these can all occur with or without a rash. I really struggled to see how my symptoms couldn't of been cancer but luckily I was proven wrong. Hopefully yours turns out the same.  :)

  • Hi thats great news i was in a similar situation a year and half ago. I had chest pain xray clear, itching Swollen groin node 2cm and back of neck node i got the neck biopsed as groin one went down after 2 months they weren't wanting to do biopsy on groin as you can be left with complications sometimes after so done neck node even though groin was bigger anyway biopsy came back reactive node with no pathology. Good news 

  • Hi,

    Sorry to hear about your cousin, could I ask how he was diagnosed with no lumps? I'm worried as I have some swollen lymph nodes in neck and other symptoms like chest pain and tiredness, but since the nodes have been ultrasounded and presented as reactive the doctors won't listen to my concerns anymore.

    my concern is that these lymph nodes I have are just a coincidence and I could still have lymphoma as like you said some people don't have any lumps! xx