Background: 25 year old woman who’s generally healthy. Average height and weight.
About two and a half weeks ago, I began having pain and tenderness in the left side of my neck, specifically near the lymph node right under my jaw bone. No other symptoms were present at this time aside from and overall fatigued feeling and headache.
The pain and tenderness didn’t subside and 5 days later, it began on the right side of my neck. However, this time, I felt a large, hard lump to the right of my Adam’s apple. This was tender and painful and immovable when pressed. At this time I still had no upper respitory or other symptoms other than a headache so I went to my GP on Monday, March 26th. She found several prominent swollen nodes in my neck and ran a full blood count along with tests for lupus and thyroid diseases, including hoshimotos (given familial history). She also referred me to get an ultrasound on my neck as soon as possible to see if the nodes themselves were enlarged or there was a mass.
The night after I went to the GP I began running a fever of 101 with chills and lower back pain. I called the next morning to tell her about the extreme back pain and she prescribed me medication to treat a possible kidney infection or sepsis, as I had thought I may have had a UTI a couple weeks back but symptoms had passed after one day. Prescribed a three day, twice a day strong antibiotic (started w a c, can’t remember the name).
My fever continues and I go to the ultrasound on Wednesday, March 28th, where they find some of my lymph nodes are rounded and several enlarged. One is 1.5 cm (normal lymph nodes should not exceed 10 mm). I still have a persistent low grade fever (all hours of the day, but relieved with anti fever medication, aspirin). Results of the ultrasound recommend I should get a CT scan as soon as possible. By this time my blood work returns as well. No mono, no lupus, no flu, no connective tissue disorders, no thyroid issues. All it shows is an elevated “new white blood cell” count and sedementation rate was elevated. Everything else normal. By this time I’m beginning to experience loss of appetite as well. This will continue.
Friday, March 30th I receive a CT scan with contrast. My low grade fever still persists. This Saturday the right start of my throat starts to hurt as well. Almost like a razor blade.
Monday, April 2nd, I receive some unsettling results from my CT scan. “Prominent enhancing lymph nodes with mild surrounding inflammatory change and heterogenous appearance. The largest node on the right, at level 2a is 19x9x26 mm. And additional node on the right is 13x9x22mm. On the left, on node 2a is 21x9x26 mm. One more significant on the left 2b is 15x10x23.
Other than the lymph nodes, all other aspects of the UR are unremarkable. Conclusion: nonspecific bilateral adenopathy with surrounding inflammatory changes. Infectious and inflammatory causes such as Kikuchi and castlemans disease are considered. Neoplasm such as lymphoma is also in the differential. Reccomend tissue sampling.
I have a fine needle biopsy scheduled for next Monday (had to wait bc I’ve been taking antiinflamatory medication). As a side note, my dr told me she’s worried on the phone. What dr says they’re worried?! She reccomended biopsy as soon as possible. But I’m at a loss! I still have a low grade fever, chills, loss of appetite and the sore throat has nearly subsided. Sometimes periods of hot flashes (maybe as my fever breaks). Anyone have similar symptoms? I can’t help but panic thinking it’s lymphoma, as my grandma has non-hodgkins lymphoma. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Please help.