Still a little unsure! - Lymphomas Message Board

vanillarain · 07-02-2004, 08:36 AM

Hi All,
I recently got the results back of my lymph node biopsy. Initially they thought it was lymphoma, but apparently not. After a second opinion, the apparent final diagnosis is Mono, which they say they found the Epstein Barr virus in parts of the biopsy, the Hematologist is confident that that is what it is. My question is this, I hardly have any of the symptoms of Mono but almost all the symtoms of Lymphoma. Why is that, could they have made a mistake or is it possible that I could still have Lymphoma only very low grade that the biopsy could not detect it? For some reason, I have a gut feeling that they are wrong. Is it me just being overly-paranoid? I'm still scared for some reason. Also, they asked me if I wanted to persue more tests and I said yes, so they have scheduled a CT Scan for July 23rd. What's your take on this? Is it me being paranoid and I should just leave well enough alone or should I read something mre into it? By the way, I was told, after the Mono diagnosis, by the Hematologist, that the Epstein Barr Virus is strongly connected to Low Grade Lymphomas and that I should be made aware of that. Is that a hint that maybe I do have a low grade Lymphoma and that I shouldn't worry about that now? Please, any advice would be helpful!!

nanci2539 · 07-02-2004, 09:21 AM

What are your symptoms? You don't necessarily have to be sick to have mono - I worked with a woman who had mono and came to work after a week or so. She felt okay.

I always felt that if you have fear or if you suspect something isn't right, I would just take the test results to an ongologist or surgeon for a second opinion.

I had a doctor who treated me for reflux for years, even with testing, he said I had mild refulx even though my symptoms were severe. He prescribed just about every PPI out there. Nothing worked - I finally went to a specialist in a down town hospital, the big city kind. He diagnosed gastritis and prescribed the correct medication. So, if you feel something isn't sitting right with you, go to another doctor, one who specializes in immune disorders.

vanillarain · 07-02-2004, 09:35 AM

Hi Nanci
Thanks for the advice. The final diagnosis did come from a Cancer specialist. I think maybe I'm just paranoid and trying to look for something else. I'm just freaked out and really nervous about all this stuff. Is this doubting normal you think?

nanci2539 · 07-06-2004, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanillarain

Hi Nanci
Thanks for the advice. The final diagnosis did come from a Cancer specialist. I think maybe I'm just paranoid and trying to look for something else. I'm just freaked out and really nervous about all this stuff. Is this doubting normal you think?

Vanillian - ME!! I set the tone for being paranoid about health. Yeah, I always doubt too. I am having a small node checked out again this month - I'm actaully seeing the surgeon on a different issue. By touch, he felt it was nothing but he knows how I am and ordered a chest xray. If I point it out again, he'll probably order another test but I know he's doing it more for me than him. So, if he says it's nothing, I'm taking him at his word! Look at it this way, we get our knowledge, most of us anyway, about these things on the internet - He didn't get his training on the internet!