[BlueEasy]

Hello all. I'm a 27 year old male...For the past few weeks, I've had a nonstop headache. I get migraines rather frequently, but this has been daily, and over the last week has literally become a nonstop ache (with an ebb and flow of severity). Around the same time the headache started, I noticed a small bump on the back of my head (lower left side, about a finger's length from my ear). Two days ago, this small bump had grown in size immensely and started causing a constant and extreme deal of pain.

I went to the doctor about it today, expecting just to get some ointment and be sent on my way. They said it's near where a lymph node is, but were unsure exactly what it was (no cut or marks suggesting an insect bite). They started asking a bunch of questions:

- Did I have any other bumps anywhere? Yes, in fact, I noticed small painful bumps in both my armpits this morning. Swollen lymph nodes, they said. Not thinking much of it at the time of questioning, I neglected to mention that over the past several months (if not a year or more), these lymph nodes have been frequently swollen and painful (I had assumed they were just the result of being a guy with hairy armpits, so I never worried about it).

- Has my vision been blurry? Not that I've noticed.

- Have I felt dizzy lately? Just the other day I had a monetary dizzy spell, but that's it. Though, as I type this, I remember that back in January, I was frequently waking up in the morning from intense dizziness (sometimes vomit-inducing) that would last for about five to ten minutes.

- Itchy skin? For the past several months my lower legs have been quite itchy - not madness inducing - but enough to bug me some; and my scalp has been itchy for a few weeks as well (no change in shampoo/conditioner or water hardness).

- Feeling weak or tired? I always have trouble sleeping, so I'm pretty much always tired.

- Weight loss? I've lost 6 pounds in the last week (no change of diet).

After asking all these questions, they took a culture of the swelling on my head and gave me some antibiotics; said they'd report back to me by Friday and we'd go from there. I came home kind of confused by all the unexpected questions (and surprised by the amount of affirmation I gave), so I googled these symptoms, and well, found myself here.

I'm no hypochondriac, so I feel so weird posting all of this... but having the Google results page be nothing but "lymphoma this" and "lymphoma that" took me back some.

I know the answer will be "don't risk it, go to the doc!" but for those who deal with or have loved ones who have this disease, do you think my situation calls for a follow up appointment where I can give the doctor better, fuller answers, regardless of the culture results? Or is this just a case of the web making "doctors" of us all?

I appreciate your time and responses. Thanks!

[mrsD]

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

I can certainly understand your anxiety.

First off, lymphoma swellings are not usually painful. They may cause edema of the abdomen, lungs or extremities, but they usually are not sore. They can however cause pain, when you drink alcohol. The reason for this is not understood.

The itching that comes with Lymphoma is usually global, all over, and not confined to certain spots.

Lymph nodes may swell up with viral Mononucleosis, and you may feel tired, and lose weight. Mono will also affect the liver in some people and that would show up on blood tests.

You could get an infected neck node from scratching your scalp if some bacteria got into you that way. There are cysts that happen on the back of the neck, but they are not usually painful.

I'd try to relax until your test results come back. Lymph nodes are supposed to catch bacteria that get thru the skin, and that is their job.

Your doctor is just being thorough in asking you many questions. That is far better for you than brushing you off, which some might do instead.

[BlueEasy]

Thanks for the reply!

Yeah, I went in just expecting to be tossed some ointment and pushed out the door (most of my doctor visits are extremely brief and anti-personal like that), so having this new doctor go through such a particular line of questioning and poking and prodding all over was something I'm not accustomed to at all, and I certainly wasn't cause that the questions were insinuating. Wish the doctor had been more open about everything, but taking the time to talk with me at all is appreciated. Both sides of my family have long histories of various types of cancers, so it all added up and broke the wall of my otherwise rational brain, I guess.

A night of (some) sleep (swollen spot on my head still extremely painful) and your reply have helped relieve the anxiety (though I'm still anxious to find out WHAT is wrong).

I also suffer from depression and social anxiety, which causes attention-issues (previously diagnosed as bipolar) - I was recently put on Vyvanse for it; I've got a follow up for that in a few weeks so I guess I'll inform my regular doctor about all these symptoms (only ever mentioned the depression, anxiety and sleep issues), instead of just dealing with it all and moving on with life. Aside from the occasional cold that I can't deal with on my own, I've avoided the doctor at all costs for a long time, but I'm getting close to 30, so it's time to grow up and take care of these types of things.

Thanks again for the quick reply.

[Darlene]

BlueEasy,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.