I have been having night sweats and fatigue for over a month. I thought I was diabetic so went to my doctor. I tested negative for diabetes, but she found what she thought was a goiter on my thyroid. Went for ultrasound next day. Following day, nurse calls back and said ultrasound showed several nodules that do not look normal and made me appointment with ENT for 4/13/2011. Last week I also found lump in breast and lymph node behind ear has been painlessly swollen for as long as I can remember. All bloodwork came back fine, including thyroid tests.
History: Had breast lump removed 4 years ago. Was found to be noncancerous. Had swollen lymph node under arm at time breast lump was removed, but node was never tested. Had night sweats around this time as well. Both node and night sweats went away after lump removed. Heavy history of cancer in family. Uncle diagnosed with leukemia last week.
Has anyone had similar symptoms and received a diagnosis? I do not scare easy, just wondering what I might be up against.
How big were the nodules in your thyroid? Big enough to allow for a biopsy? I ask because my thyroid function tests always came back in normal range but I ended up with a nodule that was cancerous. From what I understand, thyroid function tests are not able to tell the entire story, as it is an individual's movement within the 'normal range' that is most significant. It turned out I had had Hashimotos disease but never knew because whenever I'd go over symptoms or get tested, the labs were normal. Hashis patients tend to develop thyroid nodules. Sometimes nodules become cancerous. No way to really tell without a biopsy but they can't do biopsies well until nodules reach a certain size. You may want to see an endocrinologist if you can. If you don't feel right, try to pursue it. best to you.
The Following User Says Thank You to fireweed For This Useful Post: clynn19815 (05-09-2011)
How big were the nodules in your thyroid? Big enough to allow for a biopsy? I ask because my thyroid function tests always came back in normal range but I ended up with a nodule that was cancerous. From what I understand, thyroid function tests are not able to tell the entire story, as it is an individual's movement within the 'normal range' that is most significant. It turned out I had had Hashimotos disease but never knew because whenever I'd go over symptoms or get tested, the labs were normal. Hashis patients tend to develop thyroid nodules. Sometimes nodules become cancerous. No way to really tell without a biopsy but they can't do biopsies well until nodules reach a certain size. You may want to see an endocrinologist if you can. If you don't feel right, try to pursue it. best to you.
Thank you for the advice. There was one in upper left lobe that was 3.5 mm and one in upper right lobe that is 5.5 mm. Also a 6 mm cyst in right lymph node behind my ear. I have crohn's disease and from what I have read since this post, thyroid cancer, colon cancer and lymphomas are more likely in people who have crohn's disease and other auto-immune disorders. The night sweats still have not stopped and it has been every night for over 2 months. My PCP did chest CT scan which was clear and tb test. He has decided to send me to an internalist for further testing. Now I have tiny red dots popping up all over stomach, arms and legs. Hoping they find something soon so it can be fixed. I am still figuring it has something to do with thyroid because I have been really hungry and gaining weight (which is rare for me because of crohn's disease) I am normally barely 92 lbs for past 5 years. Last 2 months I have jumped up to 97. I will insist on a biopsy when I get to the specialist. Once again, thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.
Well, not sure if anyone will read this, but after seeing internal medicine doctor, he decided I could have either intestinal bacterial infection, TB, Lymphoma, or Lupus. He ran a stool wbc which came up negative for infection in intestines. He did a inflammation test, that I am waiting on to check for the lupus. But flabotomist acted like both tests were normal. He is scheduling second chest, abdomen and pelvis CT scans to check for enlarged lymph nodes because he doesn't think the previous radiologist would have thought to look for them. He heard something in right lung that he said could be either TB, cancer or residual pneumonia. Since I have already had negative TB tests, I am figuring I will be cleared on it. The lymph node behind ear is still hard, fixed, and swollen. Still having night sweats, and when I went to have nurse check lymph node behind ear, he found a different non-tender lymph node. I am just frustrated and want to know for certain if this is cancer or not already.
Long time. It sounds like you found a good doctor though - one who will diligently pursue all avenues and consider a range of possibilities as to what is going on. The waiting and not knowing, dealing with symptoms is so frustrating and it certainly is not good for mental health. I hope you're doing ok in terms of being able to tune out thinking about it between scans, appts, etc. I know that is not easy at all. I'm headed to a lung biopsy and trying not to let my mind dwell on it too much. Keep us posted. I'll be thinking of you.
So far I have been keeping my mind on other things for the most part. Have 2 little girls to take my mind off of things This new doctor definitely seems to know what he is doing (fingers crossed). Good luck on your biopsy. Will be sending good thoughts your way.
nodules, night sweats, etc. 
This new doctor definitely seems to know what he is doing (fingers crossed). Good luck on your biopsy. Will be sending good thoughts your way.
