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burning, possibly swollen lymph nodes and low lymphocite count
Hi,
I'm a man in my 40s, for about a month I've been having a burning sensation in lymph nodes - in my groin, armpits and (not so much) neck. The nodes also feel swollen.
My doctor gave me a blood test and told me I had a low lymphocyte count. I haven't weighed myself for a long time, so he asked me to weight myself, and I was half a stone lighter than the last time I checked... but that could be as long as 6 months ago, I don't really watch my weight. I'm not underweight though.
Doctor suggested the possibility of HIV and has taken blood for a test, but having read up about HIV, there is no possibility of my having it, as I have had no unprotected sexual encounters and do not use drugs. I was worried about the possibility of cancer, but the doctor states that a cancer-related swelling would be painless.
I have also previously been diagnosed with IBS, suffering from abdominal pain and thin stool for some time, and I am having an ultrasound scan on my abdomen - doctor says this is unrelated to my lymph nodes.
The doctor is very good, and will be phoning me with the HIV result - which is sure to be negative - next week, but my question is, what other conditions could cause burning lymph nodes and low lymphocyte count? The internet is pretty terrifying, suggesting low lymphocyte is indicative of cancer, HIV or an autoimmune disorder, but could there be non life-threatening viruses that cause this? I have had it for a month, the actual stinging is mainly in my armpits, the groin feels more swollen and uncomfortable. What further questions should I ask my doctor regarding this? Thanks.
I'm a man in my 40s, for about a month I've been having a burning sensation in lymph nodes - in my groin, armpits and (not so much) neck. The nodes also feel swollen.
My doctor gave me a blood test and told me I had a low lymphocyte count. I haven't weighed myself for a long time, so he asked me to weight myself, and I was half a stone lighter than the last time I checked... but that could be as long as 6 months ago, I don't really watch my weight. I'm not underweight though.
Doctor suggested the possibility of HIV and has taken blood for a test, but having read up about HIV, there is no possibility of my having it, as I have had no unprotected sexual encounters and do not use drugs. I was worried about the possibility of cancer, but the doctor states that a cancer-related swelling would be painless.
I have also previously been diagnosed with IBS, suffering from abdominal pain and thin stool for some time, and I am having an ultrasound scan on my abdomen - doctor says this is unrelated to my lymph nodes.
The doctor is very good, and will be phoning me with the HIV result - which is sure to be negative - next week, but my question is, what other conditions could cause burning lymph nodes and low lymphocyte count? The internet is pretty terrifying, suggesting low lymphocyte is indicative of cancer, HIV or an autoimmune disorder, but could there be non life-threatening viruses that cause this? I have had it for a month, the actual stinging is mainly in my armpits, the groin feels more swollen and uncomfortable. What further questions should I ask my doctor regarding this? Thanks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
Well, if there is no risk of STDs including HIV, then other causes of generalized lymphadenopathy with low lymphocyte count has to be ruled out. Lymph nodes can swell and become painful or cause burning if there is chronic infection, inflammation or cancer in the body.
Infection, aplastic anemia and other bone marrow disorders, hepatitis or liver infection, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, etc., can cause low lymphocytes. So, if you had tests for glandular fever, then cytomegalovirus infection, viral flu, tuberculosis, IBS etc needs to be ruled out. Also, the above mentioned causes need to be ruled out.
An ultrasound of the lymph nodes will give an idea regarding whether they are inflammatory or reactive or cancerous. Cancers usually cause an increase in WBC count and hence is a less likely possibility.
Since you have pain in abdomen, hyperspleenism should also be ruled out. Hyperspleenism of the primary type where spleen is the cause of destruction of red blood cells will only benefit from spleen removal. And this is the less common cause of increased spleen activity. Hence this should be determined first. An ultrasound of abdomen will show an enlarged spleen. Other causes which should be ruled out are tumors of spleen, chronic malaria, tuberculosis or polycythemia vera (which is a blood disorder with high red cell count, so ruled out). Untreated or uncontrolled rheumatoid arthritis is a major cause for hyperspleenism.
A comprehensive investigation is required keeping all the points in mind. Please consult your doctor regarding this. Hope you get well soon! Good Luck and take care!
Well, if there is no risk of STDs including HIV, then other causes of generalized lymphadenopathy with low lymphocyte count has to be ruled out. Lymph nodes can swell and become painful or cause burning if there is chronic infection, inflammation or cancer in the body.
Infection, aplastic anemia and other bone marrow disorders, hepatitis or liver infection, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, etc., can cause low lymphocytes. So, if you had tests for glandular fever, then cytomegalovirus infection, viral flu, tuberculosis, IBS etc needs to be ruled out. Also, the above mentioned causes need to be ruled out.
An ultrasound of the lymph nodes will give an idea regarding whether they are inflammatory or reactive or cancerous. Cancers usually cause an increase in WBC count and hence is a less likely possibility.
Since you have pain in abdomen, hyperspleenism should also be ruled out. Hyperspleenism of the primary type where spleen is the cause of destruction of red blood cells will only benefit from spleen removal. And this is the less common cause of increased spleen activity. Hence this should be determined first. An ultrasound of abdomen will show an enlarged spleen. Other causes which should be ruled out are tumors of spleen, chronic malaria, tuberculosis or polycythemia vera (which is a blood disorder with high red cell count, so ruled out). Untreated or uncontrolled rheumatoid arthritis is a major cause for hyperspleenism.
A comprehensive investigation is required keeping all the points in mind. Please consult your doctor regarding this. Hope you get well soon! Good Luck and take care!
I forgot to add, they've checked me for glandular fever, haven't got that, and it isn't a bacterial infection. HIV test is a waste of time but will eliminate it, so really worried about doctor possibly not knowing for sure what it might be.
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