NJdoc
New User
Joined: 23 Aug 2008
Posts: 1
Location: New Jersey
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 Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject: I know this is ridiculous... |
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...but I just have to ask.
First, I'll introduce myself quickly. I'm a 28-year old female physician in New Jersey, and I have what us docs like to refer to as "medical student syndrome", meaning that I think I have every disease possible even though I should know better! LOL I have a deep interest in oncology and have been browsing this board for a long time before I, myself, had a question to ask.
3 weeks ago I had a painless swelling of one of my right anterior cervical lymph nodes, to the tune of 1 inch. Two days later it became exqusitely painful; I couldn't even brush my hand past it or it would send shooting pains up the right side of my face. I went to my doctor who said she figured I had an ear infection, and then gave me amoxicillin. Ten days later I had finished the antibiotic, but my lymph node was still swollen and painful, measuring at 3/4 of an inch. I was experiencing low grade "fevers" - about 99 to 99.8 - a few times a day. I also noticed a pain in my left side that had been there since my lymph node enlarged, but I had chalked it up to being musculoskeletal. After a few more doctor visits, they finally had the sense to order a MonoSpot test, which was positive. I was so relieved, which is a little ridiculous! LOL But I was sure prior to that that I had lymphoma, because really, many of the signs pointed away from mono - no sore throat, no rash after taking the amoxicillin, a normal WBC count, and an asymmetrical swelling of my lymph nodes.
So now here I am, 3 weeks ater the lymph node swelling. I'm no longer having fevers (at least I don't think so) and the pain in my left side is subsiding a bit. However, this lymph node just won't quit. I know they can stay large for quite a while after an infection, but I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't concerned. And because I'm a doctor, everyone thinks I "should know better", and I truly feel as if my concern isn't being taken seriously.
For those of you who are living with lymphoma, do you think my concerns are unwarranted? Should I give it some more time? I know what everyone is telling me to do and I know what the books say, but I also have seen the end result of patients who just let something go because everyone told them not to worry about it.
Any advice? I'd be so appreciative!  |
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