Symptoms?

Hi Becks, wow I feel exhausted from your entry! And I don't want to scare you but my initial blood tests were fine and even the neck specialist thought I was fine until I had an ultrasound and then I was "not fine". I would like to say however that I am fine and just living with lymphoma but not much has changed but I never had (not yet) the fatigue which must be really tough. You must get yourself checked out and try as hard as you can not to panic about any results......I had no symptoms at all except for a lump in my neck that the doctors dismissed as nothing for 6 months and I still don't have symptoms apart from a big night sweat the other night but put that down to electric blanket heated bed and 2 duvets and 1 blanket as no heating in bedroom!!??! Dont panic and good luck with the tests. Clare x

I've read that NHL can often occur without symptoms initially and can give clean blood tests..

 

I'm waiting for the hospital appointment through, so I assume that all I can do is sit and wait, but it's a vicious cycle - if these symptoms I am getting are caused by stress from uni, the stress of this cancer scare is just going to make them worse..

Is nausia and fatigue a symtpom of NHL? 

Thanks for the reply. I hope that you get better, x

Hi Becky

Your symptoms could be anything, but ALWAYS get things checked out - glad you are going to hospital... I had no symptoms at all except a lump in my neck.

http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/type/non-hodgkins-lymphoma/about/symptoms-of-non-hodgkins-lymphoma

This link shows signs and symptoms of NHL, but your results could show something else.

However, insist on being seen quickly, as the sooner you either eliminate cancer OR have it diagnosed the better things will be.

IF it is NHL, the treatment is painless, and its a very easily treated and curable cancer. I hope it isn't, and we don't need to see you around here much! But if it is, feel free to add me and / or others as a contact, and stay in touch... lots of people on here will offer amazing support and advice.

Keep us posted, and take care

Ems x

Thank you for replying Ems. 

 

Even just getting a response means a lot. Although, it's disconcerning that a lot of people seem to show no symptoms but a lump. Hopefully the hospital appointment will arrive very shortly. 

Thanks for the link to the website. I think I will have to get my mum involved on this getting people to see me quickly, because the way I see it, they aren't rushing things because I probably don't have it, which is how I was pre-diabetes diagnosis.

I know that the cancer is at the least quite easily managed, however, I am very aware of the fact that my Grandma had this, and subsequently breastcancer as a result of the poor radiotheraphy routine in that time period. This site does seem amazing. A lot of love around - just what everybody needs.

 

Thanks so much. Shall keep ya'll updated

x

Just an update....I have just got home. Nightmare. I'm so upset. I went to the ENT and saw the consultant. I explained my symptoms:

- fever that comes and goes

- nausia

- loss of appetite

- sweats

- serious fatigue

- sleeping over 14 hours a day and needing naps

 

He said okay, and felt my neck lumps. He said they were too small to worry about and proceeded to blame all of the above symptoms on my diabetes. The appointment lasted less than 5 minutes. I was shocked at how blunt and abrupt he was and that he didn't want to feel my stomach etc for lumps? :S Mum was no help what-so-ever. Said nothing. I should have demanded more, but no. 

 

So I booked an urgent Dr appt at my local drs, and saw someone in rapid access (the dr I saw, I don't like. he asked me to do my own flu jab because I was a diabetic and knew how, so just left me with the needle...). Anyway, he felt the lump and said it's nothing to worry about, but that he would do a blood test for glandular fever (why was that not done already??!!!). I asked if that came back clear, would I have a biopsy as the symptoms aren't just there for the sake of it, and he said that there is no need. But 2 drs have said that I need one... So irritated. I have the blood test booked in for next Tuesday and a follow up Dr appt with a new dr the tuesday after. Such a drawn out process. Feel like a total hyperchondriac now and I don't know what to do..

The lump in my neck is almost 2cm across and 1 cm down (sort of oblong??). Is this too small to rule out anything?!?!

xxx

Hi there...

sorry to barge in - haven't been on this board before - but i read your entry the other day and wondered how you were doing - just because you are young doesn't mean they can dismiss your concerns - having cancer in my family i get told all the time ' oh your too young' by others- i don't believe that is the case at all....Obviously i hope all is well with you, but if you are worried keep going and going - you know your own body!

I've heard you can register at another practice as a guest patient... i see you are doing a degree - does your uni have a surgery that you may be able to go to for a 2nd opinion?

take care xx

 

You're never too young. I know only too well after my best friends family member died of breast cancer after being repeatedly told the lump in her breast was nothing. By the time they realised it was, it was too late. It's horrible. I am just annoyed that he completely blamed by symptoms on my diabetes - he's not a specialist, and they aren't all attributed to diabetes, PLUS gave no explanation the lumps other than glandualar fever.

 

I can register as a guest patient and may just do so, but the dr's at my uni is beyond rubbish!! I was registered there when I first started uni and quickly realised that their priorities lay in giving paracetemol to drunk students or having a cuppa and a chat with the other staff members...

 

I will see what the next dr says and hopefully that will solve some issues!!

 

Thanks; you take care too!! xx

Hi Becks!

The NHS guidelines state that ANY lump must be investigated fully. So remind your doctors of that, and then you tell them that you are demanding an urgent referral for an ultrasound and biopsy - that's what I had to do!

If it just glandular fever, then great, no harm done by ensuring your health is checked thoroughly ... IF it is a lymphoma, then the sooner it is diagnosed, the better.

It seems that those of us who shout the loudest and stamp our feet and demand to be taken seriously get the treatment we deserve - of course, there are doctors who step up immediately and their patients are treated quickly, but those of us with Genral Practitioners (clue in the name haha!!) who are lazy, well, they need a kick up the arse :))

My advice would be to get on the phone on Monday and start making some noise... what do you think?

:)

Big Hugs xxx

Hi Becks, I've been following your post and I'm absolutely horrified! After 3 sets of anti biotics didn't clear my infection, my test for glandular fever was negative and more and more glands in my neck became swollen my GP (who can't be that much older than me) sought the option of another GP at the surgery who suggested that my GP arrange an emergency ENT appointment. I got that appointment within 2 days, and after I was initially seen, I ended up the rest of the day at the hospital where I had an ultrasound, a biopsy and a ct scan and the doctors told me that they suspected some kind of lymphoma and arranged for me to have a gland removed for further biopsy. You must persevere until you know the truth, even if you don't have NHL you're not feeling yourself and that should be fully investigated and worrying about what might be wrong with you can only make things worse. One piece of advice would be to write all your questions down you want to ask the doctor. I am really forgetful nowadays so I carry a post it pad To put my questions on which I read off when I'm with a doctor or nurse and don't be afraid to ask them anything, no question should be deemed as 'silly'. I hope you get some answers soon Best wishes Laura xx

Thanks for the responses guys. I feel a bit better about getting my voice heard now. I have the glandular fever test on Tuesday and the follow up the Tuesday after.

 

I just don't think it will go anywhere now because the ENT specialist has seen me and he said it was nothing after one feel. He said it was too small..

 

If the next Dr won't re-refer me as urgent, do I ask to be referred privately, or is it not worth it?

It seems that most of the people that are diagnosed with NHL/HL and on this site have had to demand tests. It's just not in my nature though.

How big were your lumps?

 

Thanks guys. You're all amazing xx