ddlb66

Hello. I am posting here for the first time in an attempt to attempt to get a little peace of mind about the symptoms I am experiencing. Also, to make sure I am taking the correct steps to find out exactly what may be causing them.

First, I have to point out that I am one of the millions of people in the United States that does not have medical insurance. I have to pay for everything out-of-pocket. I am currently unemployed as well, so that leaves me with little money in my pockets to begin with. I am(was) attempting to enlist in the military, but I want to find out whether or not my heath will prevent that from happening.

I am a 26 year old male who has been sick on and off my entire life. I am very prone to sinus infections and colds, and started to get kidney infections semi-regularly when I was 22. I have never been hospitalized, I exercise and eat relatively healthy. Lately I have not been feeling well at all. I am very fatigued at times and just generally feel "blah"(for lack of a better word). I didn't think anything of it until I began to notice that the lymph nodes below my jawline in my neck were considerably swollen. I have also been getting night sweats semi-regularly. I have always had trouble putting on weight, but I've always assumed my metabolism is just faster than most. But over the past year or so I have been losing more weight than I would like even though my appetite is normal and I even take protein supplements. I wouldn't say my weight loss is sudden or dramatic, but I definitely am having a lot of trouble putting what weight I have lost back on.

Because of my concerns I pried my wallet open and went to see my parents' physician. Not only did he notice the swollen nodes in my neck, but also pointed out that the nodes under my arms and in my pelvic area are swollen as well. I had been having some discomfort in my kidneys, so he treated me for a kidney infection with antibiotics and ordered some blood tests. The blood tests came back normal and I've finished my antibiotics, but my symptoms remain. BUT there was some sort of mix-up between my doctor's office and the lab and they neglected to do a complete blood count and one other test when they took my blood(I am going to get those tests done on Monday).

So far that is all that has been done, and I am still very concerned. The doctor did mention lymphoma as a possibility, but wanted to do the blood tests before we attempted a biopsy. I don't even know how many more tests I can afford. I guess what I really want to know is whether or not it's just some type of allergies or if I should be preparing myself to test for lymphoma. Because the tests did not show any sort of viral or bacterial infection. No STI's, no mono or Epstein-Barr. And, apparently, my organs are functioning just fine.

So am I taking the proper steps to protect my health and find out the root of the problem? I don't want to have to pay for tests I cannot afford if it's not necessary, but want to make sure I don't have a serious health problem, i.e. Lymphoma. Am I just freaking out for no reason or are my concerns justified?

Any and all input will be appreciated!