Cancer?

[pharmacystudent]

I am a 24 year old Pharmacy Student, and getting a little concerned about my symptoms... am I just over reacting?
I have a hard, non-tender lump on the right side of the back of my head down towards my neck.  I noticed it in undergrad (4 years ago) and they took blood work.  The NP said that my white count (i think) was slightly elevated, and that i probably had a virus lingering around, which would explain the swollen lymph node on the back of my head.  It has never gone away.  It has been there at least 4 years now.  I have lately been SUPER fatigued.  I very frequently experience orthostatic hypotension (my eyes go black, i get dizzy, almost faint) if I stand up too fast--or even if I stand up perfectly slowly.  This happens AT LEAST twice a day.  This has become more frequent the last year or so.  My right lymph node on my neck is swollen. Definitely a positive lymph node on the neck.  I used to be able to recall peoples names very well, and now I am getting really bad about it.  A few weeks ago, I must have had a virus because I had a low grade fever for a good 2 to 3 weeks. I admit that I don't drink enough water, but I used to be soo active (gym, study without problem, functioned on minimal sleep, etc.) Now I am really struggling. No fever now though. Am I just freaking out? Cancer? Thyroid problem? Anemia??

[stella5349]

Have you had any Hodgkin's testing? That is what I would pursue first to rule out cancer. It's not a test that they comply too very often but studies have been shown that this disease is on the rise.

You probably should also look into an MRI and have that really examined. An FNA should be ordered too.

[TamraW]

A slow growing four year cancer? That would be unusual.

Go to the doctor. Request a full panel on auto-immune diseases. Yes, Hashimoto's auto-immune thyroid disease can cause those symptoms, but so can other auto-immune diseases.

I do get the node swelling often. I have Hashimoto's. This is a thyroid forum. I can't comment on other diseases. The tests for thyroid are: TSH, FT3, FT4. The tests specifically for Hashimoto's antibodies are TGab and TPOab, plus an ultrasound of the thyroid.

Take care...
:) Tamra