Lymphoma question to anyone who has had it?
I went and saw my doctor earlier in the year for a mild lower back pain that I originally thought could be a kidney stone; after seeing a urologist, kidney stones were ruled out, but an enlarged lymph node was noticed when a CT scan was taken; I was referred to an oncologist who didn’t believe the lymph node to be lymphoma related as I didn’t have elevated white blood count, no other affected lymph nodes, no night sweats, weight loss, fevers or any other symptoms; I’m also a very very athletic guy and I’ve never felt better in my life except for this nagging pressure in my lower back. The pressure is also intermitttent; one week I may feel it, then I might go a couple weeks without feeling anything, then it comes back. My family doctor thinks it to be mesentery or lymphatic adenitis.
My question to anyone who has had lymphoma, would the pressure and pain be constant, or does it go away for periods of time (if you even feel any pain, I’m not sure)? And did you have more than one area that was affected and not simply just one lymph node? Any information from someone has experience with this would be helpful.
Hey, thanks for all the responses so far. Definitely think I am going in for a second opinion here in a week or so. Thank you for all the positive responses and encouragement from people who have had it… you definitely ease my mind a bit.
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6 comments
Christin K on August 11, 2010 at 11:52 am
I was at Stage 3 when diagnosed. (2002) I had constant pain–not intermittent pain. It affected my spleen, which enlarged a great deal, and which was the place that hurt the most (right under my left ribs, at my waist). That pain was HORRIBLE, and constant–and nothing eased it.
I lost weight, had night sweats, deep-skin itches and craved POUNDS of sugar all the time. No fevers. All my lymph nodes were very sensitive all the time–in particular, the ones along the shin bones, and collarbones–when the doc pushed on either bone it really hurt–like a bruise. I was never tired or fatigued until chemo, and I became anemic during that.
Other than the pain in my side (which was late into the illness) I had no real symptoms other than what I’ve described. Though they told me I had fluid in my lungs, I did not cough, or have any chest pains.
It took one chemo treatment for my spleen to shrink to a non-painful size, but my lymph nodes elsewhere hurt for a year and a half afterwards.
I hope this enlightens you a bit. I’ve been in remission now since 2003. Don’t let a diagnosis scare you too much–they have made huge strides since even I had my first treatment! Good luck!
hcp56 on August 11, 2010 at 11:52 am
I don’t have lymphoma, but work in an oncology field. I think that you should go for a second opinion and maybe have the lymph node biopsied. I would also see a Rheumatologist, since it could be something else entirely involving your immune system.
snowbhord on August 11, 2010 at 11:52 am
I was just diagnosed with hodgkin’s lymphoma last monday. It was an early catch i hope but as for pain i have none what so ever, i have never had any night sweats nor any fevers. The only other symptom i have shown is being really itchy all over. I have 1 large lymph node in my neck and 2 other small ones. Good luck if your doing chemo i know its going to suck big.
Dee P on August 11, 2010 at 11:52 am
I had non hodgekins lymphoma and i never had any pain at all. I think it affects some people differently. Deffinately get a second opinion and maybe a biopsy; better to be safe than sorry! Good luck!!
Jelly23 on August 11, 2010 at 11:52 am
Hello, I had Hodgkins Lymphoma and i was diagnosed at stage 2b. My symptoms were quite agressive for the 3 months leading up to diagnosis. I had my cancer in the chest – i had a tennis ball sized tumour sitting on my heart which obviously couldn’t be seen or felt from the outside. The pain i had in my chest was on and off – mostly on though. The deciding factor to take things firther however was when i told the doctor that my chest was sore after drinking alcohol. I also had multiple symptoms to go with it such as weight loss, fever, horrible tiredness, night sweats and many more. My bloos tests results were all over the shop. My liver function was high, white cells were slightly higher than normal, my ESR/CRP were through the roof and for memory i had a microcytic hypochromic anaemia whatever that is. After one chemo – voila! My blood counts went back to normal and my chest didn’t hurt anymore.
If it was me in your position, knowing what i know since having lymphoma, i would go and get a second opinion. From the few people i’ve met that had it, i understand that everyone shows different symptoms. In my mind – any sort of enlarged lymph node that is causing pain should be investigated.
Jenn on August 11, 2010 at 11:52 am
Hey, sorry to hear about your health problems. I am currently 2 months into remission for Stage 4B NS Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I did have lower back pain and mine was almost daily. It flared up when I drank alcohol. When someone with lymphoma gets lower back pain, it’s from the lymph tissue swelling and putting pressure on nerves on their spine. I’d say my pain felt like someone was taking an ice pick to my spine and working it around. The pain would usually come at night and went away with a couple Aleeve. After I developed a tolerance, Oxycodone was the only thing that would slightly help the pain. It would occur almost every night and be gone by morning. But most of the time, I took 8-10 Aleeve a day to keep the pain from coming back.
I also had no swollen, palpable lymph nodes. Mine where all internal and lymph tissue. From my pelvis, to my spinal marrow to my lungs.
And by all means, get a second opinion. Just because your blood counts are normal, doesn’t mean there is nothing wrong. The oncologist should know that. I’ve met people who had perfect blood counts when they were diagnosed stage 4. And not experiencing the night sweats and fevers is common too. Those are called "B" symptoms and not everybody gets them.
Best wishes!