Swollen neck

[shay933]

My mother is 76 y/o with CLL. Of late her neck is very swollen. This has happened before when prednisone increased. This time her neck is very swollen, c/o dysphasia, night sweats, hoarse voice. I noticed back of neck extremely tight. She is taking 20 mg of prednisone everyday per hemolytic anemia. Other med for CLL
Any suggestions appreciated.
SINCERE THANKS
SHAY

[shay933]

Thank you. You have been great.  Some how I put best answer. You did have great answers. I just don't know how I did it.
Shay

[shay933]

Thank you again for your reply. Your a kind person. Mom has had CLL for 7 yrs. along with that hemolytic anemia. We were told you could have one without the other. The anemia has had several flair ups over the past year. She was put on cytoxin and prednisone for hemoglobin.  After I wrote my first comment, we new something was diff. Thus, admitted into hospital. Bx didn't come back until week later. Oncologist told us yesterday it reviled non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cells dividing fast. Port today, chemo fri. Again, thank you so much for your help. I will keep you posted. I don't know that she will handle chemo and especially any infection.
Sincerely
Shay

[Mochadelicious]

Hi Shay933,
I'm sorry to hear about your mom being admitted to the hospital (and the swelling as the result of swollen lymph nodes).  I think I'm a little confused about the situation.  You mentioned in your first post that she has CLL so I'm just wondering why they are doing a biopsy if they already know what she has?  Did you mean that she had CLL in the past and is now possibly relapsing?  

I don't have any personal experience with the Decadrol, but I did a little research on it and it is a synthetically made corticosteriod much like Prednisone.  Corticosteriods have been used for a long time to treat cancer by reducing inflammation and promoting tumor regression.  I believe Decadrol (AKA Dexamethasone) is used in place of Prednisone if a faster response is needed as it is often regarded as more "potent" than Prednisone.  Also, if your mom has already used Prednisone in the past, they may be opting to us the Decadrol now since some people can build up a resistance to the Prednisone and it doesn't work as well as it once did.  

I hope all goes well with your mom and that she will be able to go home soon.  She is lucky to have a son who is willing to get so involved with her care.  

[shay933]

Thank you for your comment. I would have said thank you sooner but mom was admitted to hospital. Waiting on biopsy,bot it looks like her lymph nodes were so very swollen. I didn't think of this because she has had PCP appointment and oncology visits AND her prednisone was doubled. Looks like full blown lymphoma. They have given her a drug called decadrol, if you know any thin about it please reply. I would appreciate it. Thanks again. Shay

[Mochadelicious]

It sounds like your mom may have Cushings Symdrome caused by high dose Prednisone usage.  Prednisone can cause redistribution of fat in several areas of the body, including the face ( you've probably heard of moon face).  It can also occur in the neck and abdomen.  It has to do with long-term exposure to high Cortisol levels (Prednisone is just a man-made version of Cortisol).  Cortisol is made naturally by the adrenal glands that sit on top of the kidneys.  Typically, your body makes about 5 mg of Cortisol a day, so it sounds like your mom is taking 3 times more than her body naturally produces.

I don't know what can be done about it, but I believe there are some things that can help reduce it.  I urge you (or her) to talk to her doctor soon about these symptoms.