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What’s causing my continual low grade fever and enlarged neck lymph nodes?
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.
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.
Chronic infection is known to cause low body temp. What I recommend is the Igenex test, not necessarily lyme but also a related bacteria (like I have) that ends up as the same awful symptoms when left untreated. Since the lymph nodes are affected it may appear to be Lyme. Get Igenex test 188, 189 as the basic ONE FIRST and go from there. The cost is about 250 for both. All millions of tests were done on me too and all neg. DO NOT GET THE TRADITIONAL DR TEST OF ELISA as it is very poor. Only if Elisa pos will they do the western blot (they will also not inform you of the bands if getting tested. YOU HAVE T BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. I have a chronic systemic infection due to staph aureus bacteria which is more or less the cause of Lyme in all insects. Easy to order Igenex test but do need a professional to order but quite a few can even a midwife can too. NP can also and several others too besides regular drs. Borellia is a bacteria so you do not need a tick bite to get what they call "complex Lyme syndrome". It is not true tick lyme in that case.
4 Comments
Professional to sign for test, you can order the kit on line
Interesting. Also, not sure if it’s related but I recently was having foot pain- the outside of my right foot. It was worst in the morning and recently it was so debilitating I finally went to the dr. Bc it had become red and swollen now. I had a small OLD cat scratch there. Dr. Said it is probably an infection and prescribed me steroid pack and 875 mg amoxicillin twice daily for 10 days. My foot already feels better after day one of the medication. I don’t feel like I have the fever anymore either, however the lymph node in my neck is still enlarged. Could an infection in the foot have caused my lymph nodes to be swollen for three weeks now?
No foot and neck relation is not. You most likely have a systemic infection that will be expressed in any area of the body. When taking abx short term other areas will respond/be affected to. The antibiotics goes all over. Lyme or Lyme syndrome (without any insect/tick involvement) will cause infection in all areas. When taking ( long term)antibiotics the kill off will cause like having the symptoms you had before or even be in pain in areas you did not know you had infections. It is called herxing and can be viewed as getting worse but it is not so if taking long term antibiotics to kill all bacteria located in all area. The bacteria likes connective tissue, goes to organs and everywhere. It hides in RBC and also at times can be found in WBC. The bacteria is also parasistic and fungal so must be on appropriate antibiotics (more than one too. DO NOT WAIT YOU WILL REGRET. It does not go away on it's own. The C you mentioned is a C pack of I believe 3 pill only. Yes I was on at least 3 x short term antibiotics till getting so much worse. Yes I had millions of tests and all were normal too. I did not have large lymph nodes. The bacteria is known to cause inflammation all over, classic for many true lyme persons. Lymph nodes enlargement is mentioned all the time when I connect with persons with Lyme (appearing to be tick/any insect based. Many also have gut issues then too, but not all. Babesia transmission is also through cat scratch disease and you will be much sicker. Get tested for also co infections. Babesia is a nasty one to have too. They are all bad but Babesia is also harder to treat. Igenex also does babesia testing. BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. DO NOT RELY ON TRADITIONAL DRS. If you do please be ready with the info because they are not. Also be ready to get yelled at, labeled nut and anything is possible.
No foot and neck relation is not. You most likely have a systemic infection that will be expressed in any area of the body. When taking abx short term other areas will respond/be affected to. The antibiotics goes all over. Lyme or Lyme syndrome (without any insect/tick involvement) will cause infection in all areas. When taking ( long term)antibiotics the kill off will cause like having the symptoms you had before or even be in pain in areas you did not know you had infections. It is called herxing and can be viewed as getting worse but it is not so if taking long term antibiotics to kill all bacteria located in all area. The bacteria likes connective tissue, goes to organs and everywhere. It hides in RBC and also at times can be found in WBC. The bacteria is also parasistic and fungal so must be on appropriate antibiotics (more than one too. DO NOT WAIT YOU WILL REGRET. It does not go away on it's own. The C you mentioned is a C pack of I believe 3 pill only. Yes I was on at least 3 x short term antibiotics till getting so much worse. Yes I had millions of tests and all were normal too. I did not have large lymph nodes. The bacteria is known to cause inflammation all over, classic for many true lyme persons. Lymph nodes enlargement is mentioned all the time when I connect with persons with Lyme (appearing to be tick/any insect based. Many also have gut issues then too, but not all. Babesia transmission is also through cat scratch disease and you will be much sicker. Get tested for also co infections. Babesia is a nasty one to have too. They are all bad but Babesia is also harder to treat. Igenex also does babesia testing. BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. DO NOT RELY ON TRADITIONAL DRS. If you do please be ready with the info because they are not. Also be ready to get yelled at, labeled nut and anything is possible. I misread since low grade fever is under 97.5 so I am not sure if you are referring to that or not. Chronic infection is indicative of temps of 97.5 and under. Yes I also had a very sore throat many years ago and ended up having a 2nd infection from untreated pneumonia. Still have the pneumonia and have been treated for 2 years. Also the bacteria likes the lower back, mine is on the left side. It is known to like that area.
Hello~Have they tested you for "Mono", some of the symptoms you are having point in that direction. I noticed that you have had quite a few tests, but did see any mention of one for mono. I would certainly ask your GP about this, maybe this is the missing link.
I hope you feel better soon.
I hope you feel better soon.
1 Comments
Thanks for the reply, I appreciate any feedback I can get. She did test me for mono, and it was negative unfortunately. I’m worried it may be something more
sinister. Keep me posted if you have any other ideas.
The exact blood tests that were done were: CBC, T4 free, TSH, Ana w/ reflex, sedimentation rate, thyroid peroxidase, Epstein-Barr virus VCA, IgM, CBC auto differential. All were negative aside from high “new white blood cell” count and sedimentation rate indicates infection.
sinister. Keep me posted if you have any other ideas.
The exact blood tests that were done were: CBC, T4 free, TSH, Ana w/ reflex, sedimentation rate, thyroid peroxidase, Epstein-Barr virus VCA, IgM, CBC auto differential. All were negative aside from high “new white blood cell” count and sedimentation rate indicates infection.
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