Hi everyone,
I've only discovered I have b cell non Hodgkin's lymphoma. I thought I had bronchitis, and within 6 days I was told I have a large mediastinal mass. That I found out Wednesday is b cell non Hodgkin lymphoma. I have an appointment in a few days to meet with the oncologist. Everything I've read said it shouldn't hurt. But the swelling in my chest neck behind my ears is bad. My veins are very predominant. I have arthritis in my neck already and Ms. I just want to be comfortable. Sleeping seems impossible between the not being able to lay flat, eat much, and the pain . I'm exhausted, I'm in good spirits about all this. But the pain and not breathing is really making me so much worse. I keep my composure through this. But inside I'm in a panic. Does anyone have anything that experiences thiand how do you get relief and sleep. That's over the counter or anything at all that relieves some of these issues. Or just anything about this stupid illness that they've discovered along the way.cause I'm so exhausted,scared, and frustrated. ️
Hi Fawn and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am always sorry to see folks joining us and sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups.
I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with my rare, incurable but treatable type of Low Grade T-Cell NHL eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ is different I do appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
You say you are seeing an Oncologist on Wednesday…. is there any word of you seeing a Haematologist?…. I ask this as they are actually the Lymphoma experts…… unless you are not in the UK 
Regardless who you see you will most likely will have lots of questions….. this link Questions to ask your medical team about Lymphoma will help you get those questions down on a note book.
There are over 60 types and subtypes of lymphoma with a few different types of B-Cell….. do you know the exact one?….. this link Lymphoma covers all the types.
Yes there can be pain, a lot of pain at times and a lot of discomfort. This is often due to how a mass growers around or presses on nerves and muscles….. but this will reduce once treatment starts.
You can see my story through the link at the bottom but at one point, like yourself I could not lay down to sleep so got myself a V shaped pillow and was able to sleep semi-propped up.
I was on some seriously strong pain meds that I got from my GP…. if you are in a lot of pain over counter meds will not do the job…… But you are seeing your Oncologist on Wednesday so this is one of your top questions and look to get help.
If you are in the UK?….. you can go talk to your local Pharmacist as they at times can help you out.
I do hope you get some rest.
Always around to help out or just to chat.((hugs))
Hi again, first the Health System here in the UK will be very different from that in the US so some if the terms and process may be different but when it comes to treatment there are basic similarities.
In the UK, when someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer like Lymphoma the specialist will be a Consultant Haematologist but seeing other specialists will happen so when I required Radiotherapy I was referred to a Consultant Oncologist.
I don’t think that there is any natural remedies that is going to help with the swelling….. I was on high level pain meds and steroids as this helped to reduce the swelling slightly but the main tool was chemotherapy and based on my experience it work rather quickly.
You need to hang in there, you may want to try calling your GP to see if there is anything more they can do but I guess that with your appointment just a few days away they will advise wait for that ((hugs))
