Might this be non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or something else?

@austin202001 Hi, I’ve been reading through your past conversations and see you’re really suffering from anxiety over some possible health issues. I’m so sorry and I certainly understand, especially since you’re not able to be seen by a doctor until July. Is that when your insurance coverage begins?

Swollen lymph nodes can be caused by the body’s reaction to a virus or bacteria. Have you recently had the covid vaccination? That can illicit a reaction in the immune system and foster some swollen nodes for a while.
I know you’re worried that this is breast cancer or Hodgkin/non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I’m concerned that you might be grasping at straws while searching the internet for answers to your symptoms. We all do that…I’m guilty as well. It’s so easy to speculate but often we imagine the worst and it doesn’t happen. I’ve also learned it can bring about unfounded fears and wasted energy.

If you think the swollen node is getting larger, try putting a dot on the 4 sides with a pen. Then it’s easy to check once a day to see if there is a change by adding new dots to the perimeter. Keep a little notebook with your symptoms daily, and if there is any change in the lymph node. Also, your blood pressure was a little elevated. That can be from your anxiety, but it would be good to record those numbers for your doctor’s visit.

When you go in for your appointment, if it’s not suggested, request a Complete Blood Count (CBC) which will tell a great deal about the health of your body and any potential infections.

Waiting on your appointment for weeks will be difficult. It would be healthy to find a great distraction in the mean time…So what activities do you enjoy most?

Thanks I know I have anxiety but I do have some heart problems that haven’t showed up In years I also just quit smoking it could have caused my anxiety to spike but yea thanks for the advice The internet was not what told me that could have it I just looked up symptoms and a bunch of things showed I have family history of lymphoma and blood cancers so I just wanted to check as me please thanks for responding to my post

@austin202001 Oh I can sure appreciate your underlying anxiety if there is a family history of lymphoma and blood cancers. I lost my brother to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma many years ago. I was 15 at the time and it left such an impact on me. Any time I had a swollen lymph node I was convinced I had it too. Years later I found out he and his fellow army troupe were sprayed with Agent Orange while out on maneuvers as a test for physical reactions to the defoliant. He’d been in a base hospital 2 weeks and then honorably discharged from the army. This was back in 1961. 4 years later he passed away. The news that this was chemically induced didn’t bring my brother back to me but it did liberate me from the thought that I’d get the same terrible disease. So I totally understand how this latent fear can affect the psyche.

Congratulations with quitting smoking! That’s a huge step in taking charge of your health. I also know it’s not an easy feat to quit as I watched family members around me struggling with that challenge many times. So you can really be proud of your achievement!

I really hope you’re able to get to the bottom of the medical symptoms. Sometimes just being able to have a diagnosis takes a huge weight off the mind. When you mentioned heart issues do they interfere with exercise? Are you able to get out for walks or biking on a regular basis?

If you don’t mind, I’d really like to know how your doctor’s appointment turns out and see how you’re doing. So don’t be surprised if I pop in from time to time… Lori.

I’m sorry about your brother when I went to the doctor they said I damaged or scared tissue when I had a drug overdose at 17 because I had hypertensive crisis that they said it was going to kill me if I didn’t come in 20min before I did so somedays it’s fine and then it’s poof I can’t do much but lay down and relax this was 3 years ago when the doctor told me this but I can mildly exercise and not feel like I’m going to die and I’d like to keep talking to you to

One of the most difficult things I had to learn during my treatment for AML and the stem cell transplant was to “listen to my body”. When I’m tired and I need to lie down for a while, I’ve had to change my thought pattern and not push on…I now nap, even when mentally I don’t want to. Frustrating, yes, but it is beneficial when our bodies aren’t at 100%. I’m encouraged to see you do take time to relax and regroup.

Our bodies are pretty amazing machines and resilient, so I do hope when you finally get in to see your doctor that there is positive news and you’re able to rebuild your health.

I remember reading your first postings about the doctor in urgent care saying there might be ‘some other things”. An open-ended comment like that isn’t very useful. I’m sorry that’s the response you got which I’m sure left you unsettled.

When is your appointment in July?
Between now and then, like I mentioned before, keep a record of your health.
Check your blood pressure once per day at around the same time.
Keep track of the lymph node
Write down when you feel shortness of breath or heart fluttering…like what you were doing at the time.
Also jot down any questions you have for the doctor. Now’s your chance and if things are written you can go right down the list and not forget anything. That’s often the case, at least for me. I think I’ll remember and then we get talking and I forget half of what I wanted to ask my doctors. 😉

Maybe with this visit and possibly some testing, you’ll find out your heart and body are healthy and can move ahead with getting your life back! You’re too young to have to worry so much about it. ☺️

My goal today is keeping cool! I think I’m melting…hot weather and I do not get along! Lori.

Hi @austin202001 I’ve been wondering how you’re doing this past week. Have you seen any changes in the size of your lymph nodes? I know you were quite concerned about them and felt they were getting larger.
Are those areas tender at all?

The weeks are ticking by and soon enough it will be July when you can get in to see your doctor. I really hope you can find some reassuring answers to your symptoms. Have you been keeping track of your blood pressure and keeping a record of other symptoms that change daily? All of this information will help your doctor in a diagnosis, along with writing down any questions you have for him/her for your appointment.

Thinking of you and sending positive vibes!! Lori

Yea they are no longer extremely swollen but I can feel them but they are no longer noticeable if I’m wearing no shirt when swimming my blood pressures slightly high it’s 145/91

That’s great news with your lymph nodes beginning to get smaller again and a very good sign! You should be feeling some relief knowing they’re not continuing to grow!

It’s quite normal for lymph nodes to enlarge when fighting off a bacterial or viral infection. This can all be happening behind the scenes without any outward symptoms. Our immune systems are amazing mechanisms to guard and protect our bodies. It can take 2-4 weeks for the glands to shrink back to normal.

Your blood pressure seems to be pretty stabilized at that level. It’s a little elevated for your age but nothing alarming and typically easily managed if your doctor feels its too high.

Are you feeling less anxious about anything serious going on with your body?

Yes I am less anxious just a question have you ever had this headache that will last 4 like 1-2 minutes go away and then come back an hour later
I think it’s because I’m stressed lately but I get the same nasty feeling headache like every 2 years then it’s gone

Anxiety and stress can cause a whole host of problems. Weird headaches being of of them. Yes, I’ve had interment ‘nasty feeling’ headaches, almost a tugging from within that last a very short time, but they’re unsettling when it happens.

Where do you feel the headache? Front, back of the head near the neck, temple area??

I found out mine are caused by my neck and shoulder muscles tightening if I’m under stress, spending to much time on the computer, sewing, holding a book suspended in air instead of resting on my lap, etc.. Basically, poor posture when I’m doing repetitive tasks.
I now use a LaCrosse ball or Tennis ball to roll out my tense shoulder, neck and back muscles. That has helped immensely! Also using shrugging motion exercises to roll my shoulders and neck have been very helpful in keeping the tension away.

Do you spend a lot of time on the computer or gaming? The stress you’re under right now could certainly be a contributing factor. Have you ever gone to a certified massage therapist? It’s amazing what they can do to relieve the back, neck, shoulder area from the side effects of stress.

Since you’ve had these headaches recurring over the years and nothing negative has happened because of them, I think you can dismiss those as any serious. But mention them to your doctor…another symptom to note for you appointment.

Also, there are some simple exercises to try to see if this helps
https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/upper-back-pain-exercises