Hi,
Can anyone tell me what the itching with hodgkinsons / lymphoma is like? I have an all over body itch which moves from place to place rapidly. its not deep its just annoying, it goes away if i scratch a particular area - it just moves somewhere else. all my body is affected - even my tongue. there is no rash. it seems to be worse after alcohol the night before and is accompanied with agitation. Also, i have a slight supraclavicular lymph enlargement for the last 2 months, im not sure is actually enlarged, its about 1cm in diameter - 2cm in length, tubular - tapers at the end and rubbery. very smooth. the doctor thought it was nothing 6 weeks ago, its gone slightly larger but seems to fluctuate in size from day to day.

i have recently stopped taking anti depressants as i have a history of nervous problems. could the itch be related to that? im a total hypochondriac so am completely worried about lymphoma, a friend has just come back from stage 4 but am scared to talk to him in case he thinks im mentally ill!!

thanks in advance
mojo

Antidepresents can cause itchiness. The 2cm in length lymph node is what is concerning. Everything I have read states that a normal node is up to 1cm in diameter. I would obtain a 2nd opinion and see if you can get that node biopsied since that is the only way to really be certain it is not a type of lymphoma. Do you have any fatigue, night sweats or fevers?

Deb

hi deb,

I don't have any night sweats, fatigue or any "classic" symptoms. i went through a peroid of night sweats and insomnia 6 months ago, was put back on anti-depressants (for the 2nd time after having a hard time quitting them) and they went away, during that period in my life i can honestly say i've never felt so unwell, until i resumed anti depressant medication. the anti depressants did help and everything seemed ok.

but then i discovered this lump, its very soft, almost rubbery but the itchiness is driving me crazy. im worried about it. the dr has already dismissed the lump once, but that was before the itching began, could itching be physcho-sematic? should i go back? where i live the dr's dont really entertain phsycho sematics. im scared to be honest.

mojo

demand to get it checked. that was my first sympton and they (general doctors) dismissed it and said I was just stressed or that I must be allergic to something. If nothing else, it will put your mind at ease.