Hi, my name is Victoria and I have no-one to talk to about this. I've finally registered to be able to come on here because it's gotten to the point where my anxiety is spiraling out of control. I've been reading for many years. My sister had NHL in 2018 and is doing well, in fact much better than me. This forum helped me (and her) with information - such a knowledgeable and caring bunch truly. OK so I suffer with health anxiety. I lost my Mum to complications after bowel cancer surgery when I was 20 and since then have suffered with this sometimes debilitating affliction.
Without wanting to worry my sister and without a Mum to talk to, I'm so so scared and feel alone. I'm 48 years old and going through peri-menopause. Health has always been good, contrary to what my mind tells me. I have hot flashes (not sweating) at various times throughout the day or when I panic (Is that classed as a night sweat during the day?)
For the last two weeks, I've had itching all over my body at random spots. Tips of ears, knee, toe, elbow, arm...it's like I'm following one random itch around my body. Less so when I'm not thinking about it and more so when I spend 3 hours at 3am watching TT videos after searching 'lymphoma itch'. Needless to say I am a wreck. I've taken a Zyrtec every day until my drs appt at 12pm tomorrow. It's been a long eleven days waiting for this appointment. LONG. Trying to concentrate on work and always creeping back to my phone, desperate for one website that will say 'lymphoma itch is nothing like that'. Instead I find the itch can be in one or two spots, or all over. Ok great!
I know you are all going through your own challenges but please can anyone shed any light on the 'itch'. Mine is like a bug bite, or when you have dust on you. One itch and it's gone, sometimes to another spot. No blood, no lumps, no rash and no other symptoms.
I did take half a serepax today and the itching has slowed or not as noticeable. Placebo? perhaps.
Please any advice would be greatly received... I don't want to worry my sister and I could do with a friend or two.
Thank you, ever so much.
Hi Victoria AnxiouslyAlone and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am sorry to see you joining us.
I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups. I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with a rare, incurable but treatable type of NHL eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 so I do appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
I have been helping out on the Macmillan Community for coming up to 7 years and I also volunteer with Lymphoma Action.
Lymphoma Action is the only UK Lymphoma Specific Charity who have lots of good reliable information about all things Lymphoma…… from ‘what is Lymphoma’ symptoms, types of Lymphoma, treatments m, post Lymphoma life and they also have many support platforms.
Yes Itching can indeed be one of the many Lymphoma Symptoms but having talked with so many people over the years the itching can be ever so different but most say it’s an all over itch.
I have a rare skin NHL and my Lymphoma presented as a developing itch but very quickly developed to be like bad Psoriasis.
But our skin is very reactive. There are many types of skin conditions that can make the skin itchy….. and yes over my years there have been a lot of people pass through the community who like yourself were dealing with this problem….. I am pleased to say that most folks did not have Lymphoma but had another type of skin or autoimmune problem.
In fact my wife had an itch rather like what you are describing a number of years back, she went to see a Dermatologist and was given some direction and meds and it cleared up after a year…… the Dermatologist also said that working in a stressful environment, or being an anxious person can develop skin issues due to the stress.
So you go and talk with your Doctor and get their take on this….. I will say that relentless searching on the internet will most likely confuse you and make you more anxious….. stick to the Lymphoma Action site as all the information is produced with the help of top Consultants from across the UK.
They also have a Lymphoma helpline on 0808 808 5555 where you can talk with someone and get support - open every week day from 10 till 3.
This group is always here to help you out ((hugs))
Steps in the right direction 
Hi Victoria, in all my 24 years my bloods have never showed anything that was specifically Lymphoma related…… but they go all over the place once I started treatnent.
I only ever had CT scans…… some folks have PET scans….. some even have a MRI but on the whole a CT would show areas of concern that needs further investigation.
It took over 14 years for some llymph nodes to grow and keep growing in my neck…… but I did have the normal lymph nodes rise and fall as the lymphatic system did it's normal thing when fighting infection's.
The main tool is a biopsy but if there is nothing to actually biopsy then I would guess that your GP may ask you to monitor your symptoms and get back to them uf there are any changes.
A referral to a Heamatologist would be ideal but my great GP once explained that there are minimum criteria that needs to be reached for them to refer on…… but this does not remove the reality that Lumphoma could be there but not directed at this point in time.
