How concerned should I be?

[crushlawtx]

About three weeks ago, I discovered a lump on the back, right side of my neck. Worried, I went to the doctor who told me I was fine, but to keep an eye on it. He did some blood work, which all came back clear.

The lump is hard, unmovable, and entirely painless.

Over the next week after that doctor's visit, I began feeling extremely fatigued and I have had headaches every single day since. Also, my skin on my back, right side became extremely itchy. I decided to go to a new doctor for a second opinion. He did more blood work, including an HIV test, all of which came back fine. He prescribed me an antibiotic and told me to call if the symptoms continued.

A few days after that visit, a rash appeared across my back, mainly on the right side, and moved across my stomach. It is itchy and painful. I went back to the doctor who informed me I have shingles. He gave me a prescription for Valtrex, and told me to call the following week.

Over the course of that week, I developed a moderate pain underneath my left ribcage, near the bottom. Also, 2 of the last 4 nights, I have awakened from sleep drenched from head to toe in sweat. Nothing in my sleeping habits has changed recently, as in same room temperature and coverage. My other symptoms have remained unchanged.

I called my doctor this morning to let him know of my condition, and I am confident he will want to run more tests, including a CT Scan. I guess my concern is feeling in limbo, knowing that I am sick but it being undiscovered. Does it seem that they would have discovered a complication such as lymphoma by now?

I am ordinarily a healthy 24 year old. I don't smoke, drink, and I eat right and exercise. Any help or guidance would be much appreciated and thank you.

[ChemoMan]

Hi crushlawtx

Sorry to hear of your distressing and painful symptoms. As you have shingles it is most likely that all your symptoms are due to this. It is much more likely than you having HL or NHL or any other type of cancer. I would think it unlikely for you to have any further tests until the shingles has resolved which could be a long time if you don't take things easy. Shingles is a serious condition and can be very very painful. Your night sweats would have been due to the fever from shingles so I would not be concerned about cancer. You should be concerned about the shingles however as it can cause unpleasant and serious complications. Antiviral medications such as Aciclovir can be used as well as prednisolone, but this is generally in people over 50 as shingles in this age group is very nasty indeed. As you are a young healthy person you should be able to shake this off effectively.

Good luck , have plenty of rest and I hope you get over this very quickly.
_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... Don't forget Rule number 1

[crushlawtx]

Thank you for the reply. My shingles are already waning from the week on Valtrex. I am down to a patch on my back, so hopefully that will subside within the week.

I don't like to be one that over-worries, but would it be prudent of me to go through with a CT scan anyway as a precaution, or should I wait for the shingles to fully subside and see if my health improves?

Thank you again for the response and take care!

[ChemoMan]

Hi crushlawtx

The normal response to a swollen node similar to what you have is to watch and wait. 2 months is OK and about the norm. After that the best approach is a biopsy either Fine needle or total excision. The latter is the preferred option if NHL is suspected. CT scans are of limited use in Lymphoma and even if they detect something a biopsy is required to confirm diagnosis.

I don't really think you have anything to worry about but then I am not a doctor, so take that with a pinch. At this point in time it is most likely that the node is up because of the shingles or some other sub clinical infection.

Good luck and take care.
_________________
Age 52
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... Don't forget Rule number 1