?Lymphoma, but feel so unwell - please help

I'm 35 and currently awaiting results of a lymph node biopsy as I have several enlarged lymph nodes in my neck, armpits and groin. They've been there for weeks, possibly getting on for months now. But I've developed other symptoms, which may well be unrelated, but my worried mind is telling me they all add up to a diagnosis of cancer.

I've recently developed foot drop, which is a type of paralysis in my lower leg/foot. My GP said that I've either bruised a nerve and it will resolve in a few days, or it won't resolve and that will indicate that something more sinister is going on.

I've also apparently got an intermittent low grade fever (around 38 degrees, never higher than 38.3). Its definitely intermittent, and there doesn't seem to be any pattern to it. I don't have a cold or flu symptoms. 

I also had a migraine with aura last week, for the first time, which was really quite frightening. 

All in all, I feel so incredibly run down. I'm a runner, and usually in the gym 3 times a week, but I haven't been at all for 2 weeks now. I just don't have the energy. I barely had the energy/strength to make a coffee this morning.  I know anxiety won't be helping here. Ironically, I'm a psychological therapist in the NHS. But I'm really struggling to identify if I need to be worried here.

The consultant did say my biopsy results may not be back until January. I'm not sure I can face Xmas feeling like this.

Does anyone have any advice/experience of this?

  • Hi, I am waiting for an ultrasound and possible biopsy on enlarged lymph nodes (multiple) too. It's a frightening experience. I also have started to notice other symptoms which I then read into and link with my ongoing worries about the lymph nodes. I just wanted to say that it's really easy to add 2 and 2 and get 5 :-(

    I'm a long time anxiety sufferer and I can tell you that anxiety will give you all sorts of crazy symptoms. Sometimes I'm shocked at how physical the symptoms can be, and how intense. it can exhaust you and knock you off your feet. When mine is at its peak, I either sleep endlessly or not at all. 

    The only time you'll know anything more is when you have the biopsy results. The wait is torture isn't it? Worrying about the outcome won't affect the outcome or influence it in any way. The only thing to do is keep busy and keep your mind occupied. 

    I hope you get through the Xmas period and manage to enjoy some of it. Best of luck, I hope everything is fine or we will be fine very soon xx

  • Hi Danzieeee, thank you for your reply. I'm sorry to hear you're in a similar position. You're absolutely right, the waiting is torture. I just desperately want to know, either way. You're also very right about anxiety! I'm not even sure where my physical symptoms stop and my anxiety symptoms begin!

    It's awful waiting!

    I really hope that neither of us are waiting too much longer, and I really hope you get good news