Long Term Swollen Lymph Nodes... Lymphoma? Posted: 09-20-07 21:27pm
Hi Everyone,
My name is Kristin and I'm a 17 year old
female. My lymph nodes (where my jaw meets
my neck, I believe Submandibular) have
been swollen for as long as I can
remember, several years at least. I never
thought much of this until a little over a
month ago, when I noticed new swelling on
the underside of my chin (not sure what
this one's called). These three swellings
are painless. It was then that I began
researching lymphoma and registered that
there might be a problem.
Some background: When I was a baby, I got
frequent ear infections and had to have
tubes implanted in my ears. These were
taken out long ago and I haven't had
problems with my ears since. I have not
had regular medical involvement in my
life. My insurance situation is weird and
my mom has always had a "deal with it
yourself" mentality about these things, so
I rarely saw a doctor. I last went in the
spring (for the first time in years) for
irregular periods. My periods had been
regular up until about 8 months prior to
the appointment. The doctor observed my
swollen lymph nodes and suggested
bloodwork, but my mom was opposed to that
idea. My periods evened out again shortly
after, and nothing became of it.
The size of the nodes in my neck has
remained constant the past few years.
They're definitely swollen, but the
swelling has not fluctuated at all. When I
found the new one in my chin, I began to
freak out. I just started this month at
the University of Michigan, where I get
free health service. I went in to the
health center a couple days after the
semester started to get a brief
consultation. The doctor briefly examined
me and suggested I see the ear, nose and
throat specialist, who is not available
until this coming Monday (the 24th). I
will see him then, but, unfortunately, I
got sick with a nasty cold a few days ago,
so I'm afraid he will not be able to
target the problem while I'm suffering
from an infection that would cause my
lymph nodes to swell anyway (even though
my nodes were swollen long before the
infection). I have been obsessing over
this for a while now, and just want
answers/to be able to rule out the really
scary stuff. If he cannot find the problem
due to my sickness, I will probably
request bloodwork or a biopsy anyway, just
to put my mind at ease.
Meanwhile, I was hoping you could give me
your thoughts of my situation. Does it
sound like it could be lymphoma?
I really appreciate any input.
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kristi_chick
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 6
Posted: 09-20-07 22:07pm
I'd just like to add that the nodes are
probably about the size of a nickel (but
slightly oval shaped) and don't protrude
very much (not visually detectable). I
wouldn't call them hard. I can't really
tell if they're "moveable," but there
seems to be some give when I press on
them. Perhaps that clarifies a bit.
|
MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 2291 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 47
Thanked:11
Hi! Posted: 10-04-07 12:31pm
Sorry for the delayed post!
I guess you've already seen the ENT
doctor. Can you, please, share with us the
new informations?
I wanna ask you if you are feeling the
glands as very firm, rubbery-like?
Do you feel numbness on your face?
Do you find your mouth dry?
Are you having other symptoms such as:
tiredness, nigh sweats, weight loss, itchy
skin?
|
kristi_chick
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 6
Posted: 10-04-07 14:28pm
The ENT wasn't very helpful... He
immediately was going to stick a probe
thing down my throat through my nostrils.
He numbed them before even asking me any
questions or examining me. Then he started
feeling around and said quite quickly that
he didn't feel lymph nodes. That some are
just more palpable than others. This makes
sense regarding the submandibular ones,
since they're symmetrical and have been
like that forever, but it doesn't explain
the new swelling under my chin. I asked
him about that and said it was probably
just the result of an infection. I hadn't
been sick for a long time previously, and
it's been swollen for 2 month now. I'm
thinking about asking for a second
opinion.
The swelling under my chin feels rubbery.
It's easy for me to push it up. I don't
have any other symptoms. Nothing feels
numb and my mouth isn't dry (i asked him
about swollen salivary glands but he said
that because i don't have that symptom, it
probably isn't), but the lower part of my
face almost feels like it's sagging. It
also feels like there is more space under
my tongue, probably because the swelling
is directly below and dragging it down a
bit.
I don't know if that provides any clarity.
For a while I even considered the
possibility of it being a fat deposit,
since I did gain a little weight over the
summer, but I've lost the weight and then
some since then, and it's still there.
Plus it doesn't really feel like fat.
|
MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 2291 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 47
Thanked:11
Hi Kristie_chick Posted: 10-05-07 13:01pm
I'll suggest you to seek a second opinion,
even third if you need to get an answer
for your symptoms.
In a meantime, I'll try to find some
helpful information for you and I'll write
to you immediately.
Thinking of you!
Marija
|
kristi_chick
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Sep 2007 Posts: 6
Posted: 10-07-07 14:11pm
thanks so much. i truly appreciate it!
i'll make another appointment in the near
future.
