Help: On and off anemia and other symptoms, CT ordered

@amm97 Hello, Alex. All of these unexplained symptoms must be very frighting. The good news is that you are being seen by a hematologist who specializes in blood diseases so they help you find out what’s going on.
How long have you had anemia?
Your CT scan was in October, it’s now the end of December. Did you have a consultation about the findings on the scan? Did your doctor suggest any other tests?

The anemia has been on and off since august. I did have an appt about the CT in November the dr said the size is abnormal but the shape isn’t. She didn’t suggest any other tests but in January I’m going to Loyola in Chicago to see a new dr so I’m hoping she will order more tests.

Personally, I think it’s very smart to get a second opinion. (I was going to suggest it! 😉). You’re young to be having anemia without further evaluation to find the cause, especially along with the other symptoms you’re having. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut instincts on matters like this when you really feel something isn’t right. You know your body and have to be an advocate. I’m older now, but I remember having some issues when I was younger, around your age. I felt dismissed by the doctor who didn’t take me seriously. He failed to do a complete workup on what was happening with my health. I changed doctors and had a very positive outcome. It’s definitely good to change doctors when you’re not getting answers. You have a valid concern that warrants investigation!

When you see your new doctor, have a list of questions you’d like answered. Just list them off the top of your head for now, to get started, then edit.
Also, it can be helpful to have a list of your symptoms and when they began. Little things to consider that may spark memories to get a comprehensive list:
When this first happened, what did you notice first? Were you ill? Did you have Covid, a vaccine, a cold, sore throat, etc. Do you have heavy periods? How frequently do you have night sweats. You mentioned your hair is thinning, make a note of that and anything you can think of that has changed or is relevant to your health since August.

It saves time in those initial appointments to have everything jotted out or notes on your phone so that you can go right down the line and address all your concerns.

I’d like to follow along with you on this mission to find answers. Will you keep me posted to what you find out?

Personally, I think it’s very smart to get a second opinion. (I was going to suggest it! 😉). You’re young to be having anemia without further evaluation to find the cause, especially along with the other symptoms you’re having. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut instincts on matters like this when you really feel something isn’t right. You know your body and have to be an advocate. I’m older now, but I remember having some issues when I was younger, around your age. I felt dismissed by the doctor who didn’t take me seriously. He failed to do a complete workup on what was happening with my health. I changed doctors and had a very positive outcome. It’s definitely good to change doctors when you’re not getting answers. You have a valid concern that warrants investigation!

When you see your new doctor, have a list of questions you’d like answered. Just list them off the top of your head for now, to get started, then edit.
Also, it can be helpful to have a list of your symptoms and when they began. Little things to consider that may spark memories to get a comprehensive list:
When this first happened, what did you notice first? Were you ill? Did you have Covid, a vaccine, a cold, sore throat, etc. Do you have heavy periods? How frequently do you have night sweats. You mentioned your hair is thinning, make a note of that and anything you can think of that has changed or is relevant to your health since August.

It saves time in those initial appointments to have everything jotted out or notes on your phone so that you can go right down the line and address all your concerns.

I’d like to follow along with you on this mission to find answers. Will you keep me posted to what you find out?

My appt went okay yesterday Dr ordered more blood work and a CT of neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. So far Blood work showed mildly elevated neutrophils and granulocytes, as well as mild elevated LDH but still within normal parameters.

Good morning. 🙂 Happy to hear your new doctor is being much more responsive in helping you find answers to the symptoms you’re having. I know it’s lot to go through with all the tests and the CT but it’ll be a relief to feel there’s some forward progress instead sitting there being worried! It’s really frustrating when you feel something is wrong and not getting heard.

Your blood work sounds reassuring with nothing abnormal. The neutrophils, granulocytes and LDH show that your immune system is responding to some type of inflammation. That can be from a number of sources.
Just for peace of mind to let you know how reactive our immune systems are, a little story from my distant past when I was in my early 20s, that was over 45 years ago 😳!
I had similar symptoms with swollen lymph nodes and elevated blood levels, night sweats, low grade fever etc. it went on for along time. After much sleuthing, (before CTscans) we finally figured out it was a reaction to black fly bites I received while on vacation in the north woods of Michigan a month before all the symptoms began. Of course, before we found the answer, my mind went to all sorts of bad places. I was treated and all was forgotten.

Our immune systems are powerful so when there is something it perceives as an ‘invader’ it will send an army to fight. Swollen lymph nodes and elevated white blood are a normal response. So hopefully your doctor will get to the bottom of your symptoms soon and you get some relief!

When is your CT appointment?

I have no appt yet, waiting for insurance approval first. The whole reason for the referral to the new Dr was lymphedema with concern for lymphoma, and the only way to 100% diagnose lymphoma is by biopsy, so hopefully the CT is good enough to either confirm or deny it.

The CT will help by showing any other possible lymph involvement. And if it does, then a biopsy will be done. I just wanted you to not necessarily go down that negative rabbit hole. This doesn’t always mean lymphoma. ☺️

I know but definitely hard not to especially when doing your research points to be lymphoma