Hi, I'm new here. I do not have a diagnosis yet but my internal medicine doctor thinks I either have lymphoma or I am reacting to something in the environment. I am 38 (almost 39), female, and have had enlarged lymph nodes for at least four months. I saw my internal medicine doctor three weeks ago, had a bunch of lab work that was normal, and then saw her again today. She noted no difference in the nodes and has referred me to an ENT doctor for biopsies.
I have enlarged lymph nodes: all of the left submandibular ones, behind the left ear, left tonsil, down the left side of my neck, left supraclavicular, a few left submandibular. They are painless and rubbery. Other symptoms: sleep study showed limb movements that occur while I'm asleep, including REM sleep (this is atypical of RLS, not sure if related to lymph nodes), reddish scaly patch of skin to the left of my nose resolved with a prescription antiinflammatory, very occasional night sweats - once a month at the most, and several times a day I will have a random burning sensations that last a few seconds up to several seconds...these occur just about anywhere and I'm not sure if they have any significance. Two years ago I tested positive for mononucleosis but am negative now. My problem right now is dealing with the possibility of having a potentially fatal disease, but at the same time thinking that I am worrying for nothing. If I do have it, I think I may have jeopardized my health by waiting so long for an appointment with my doctor. I could have seen another doctor earlier and then I would already know what was going on.
How did you deal with it, at first with the uncertaintly and waiting, and then with the actual diagnosis? I guess if you have to get cancer, lymphoma isn't the worst. My mother-in-law had Hodgkin's disease when she was in her teens and is now well into her sixties.
Thanks for reading. I don't want to worry my family too much about this, but need someone to talk to.