Hodgkin's Disease

[Sandie_inSC]

Greetings, Sandie in S.Carolina here.

I dont fit the mold for hodgkings lymphoma (dr lists it as unspecified) Female and 51 yrs of age. It started in my left inguinal area, I thought it to be a possible hernia due to lifting heavy boxes back in May, evidently, I was wrong.
Back in early 2006 I went through 3 horrifying rounds of antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone group, cipro, avalox, levaquin. My 'then g.physician' ignored my complaints, and insisted I continue to take them due to severe sinus infections. I found out much too late that my ADR's are indeed associated w/quins and can be verified on their own website, my muscles/tendon damage is most likely permanent, (loss of tricep muscles, bicep, going through tests when I hopefully complete chemo:, extreme pain w/extension of arms/legs) and my immune system was extremely lowered:(.
fqresearch.org plus other websites state these antibiotics affect 4-6% of the people and can also lead to cancer, and other debilitating side effects. Very few physicians will acknowledge these horrendous side effects ALTHOUGH they are listed (in the DETAILED information)
on the fluoroquinolone website itself.
Before I began quins, I'm 5'4", WAS 120 lbs, HAD cut muscles and was doing roofing work on a 5,000 sq ft FLAT tar and gravel roof. Now, 144, extreme pain 24/7, loss of muscle listed above.
That's my history.
During the ptscan after the L. Inguinal lymph node was removed (but activity in the surrounding tissue) there turned out to be hot spots in my throat area, biopsies showed scant sqaumous (sp?) cell in left true vocal cord. Ptscan was done 3-4 months BEFORE chemo started, due to, I'll say '''paperwork" to keep it nice.
I've completed 2 rounds of chemo once every two weeks. Having been diagnosed w/fibromyalgia, my pain dr said it was NOT going to be easy, he is 100% correct:(
I had begun to experience the lack of ability to produce my own bowel movements before the chemo having to use enima's, glyceran, ANY thing to help. Life long history of this problem, I chalked it up to that and thought it would correct itself.
Since beginning chemo I've been in the emergency room 3 times due to being so constipated it was putting pressure on my chest area, simulating 'chest pounding', heart attack. Dr. Boozer (FEMALE) stated when a person is so backed up these side effects are common, not pleasant but common. M and M enima's (milk and molassis are horrible:() comments of 'eat fiber, (duh, I was), excercise, pain pills cause constipation, imho, rediculed, belittled, I hope you get the idea.
I was finally referred to a gastrologist who is doing a colonoscopy on Nov 1st and order a barium swallow test for YESTERDAY.
It was during my explanation to the FEMALE technician of L. Inguinal area Hodgkins lymphoma and my constipation problems, she asked this simple question "Is it in your abdominal area".. I said I had NO doubt it possible could be due to 'knowing my body' (anotherlong story I wont bore you with) and the length of period that the ptscan was taken and when I began chemo, 3+ months.
I came home, keyed in Hodgkins disease and abdominal. HERE I find what could be the answer and my oncologist has never mentioned this possibility. When the abdominal area is affected it causes pressure on the colon and the pt is unable to produce bowel movements.
I called my oncologist's head nurse and left a rather unpleasant message about the information I had found out HERE on oncologychannel and demanded a ptscan be done NOW to see if the cancer has spread to my abdominal region and THAT is the reason I'm unable to produce bowel movements on my own.
I dont care to die of sepsis, otherwise gently known as F.O.S (FullOf*hit) I already feel like I'm just """one of the herd"" going through chemo. Nurses in chemo area are GREAT, it's ""others I'll leave unnamed" that make myself and some other pt's I've talked to, feel like ''moo'ing'...
So, I've spilled my history, I'm hoping someone else has experienced this problem and can give me some input. I'm going to be searching MORE on this website for information, I'm not ready to die of anything let alone F.O.S. after everything I've been through.. If the ptscan reveals that it has NOT spread to the abdominal area, I'll say my best apologies, and continue to look for other answers.
Thank you for 'listening' and hoping someone can help.
Sandie in S.Carolina

[vinnie]

Hey Sandie,Vinnie here i came down with Hodgkins at age 51,had stage 3b,area infected was the abdomen,in medically speaking the mesentery-retroperitineum area,had it for a year then finally Dr Quack gave me a ESR blood test in the 11mo,and said somethings wrong here,duh.In the first 3mos had anemia,fatigue,nausea, rectal urgency,was put on Feosel for anemia,came back in 3mos, no change in the hemoglobin,was told i was depressed and overreacting to these symptoms,was put on Zoloft for 4mos,called back in 2mos told him i lost 20lbs, having drenching night sweats,he said give the medication time to work,its all part of depression,then i called about itching like crazy in bed,he refered me to a dermatologist,anyway eventually i fired him.In the 10 mo had problem swallowing food,had lot of stomach gas,after doing 6mos of ABVD seen a gastroenterologist for this problem,they told me i had absent-peristalsis in the esophagus,and the bottom part became narrower,they said the Hodgkins probably infiltrated the esophagus destroying the nerves that contract the swallowing and shrunk the bottom part of the esophagus,so i strongly believe Hodgkins in the abdomen will affect your digestive organs one way or another-Vinnie

[cblastock]

Sandie,
Hi I am Cindy in Idaho. I was diagnosed with Hodgkins IIB in 1991. It was in my chest mediastinal area, a large mass. I received ABVD chemo and radiation. I am 48 and in the last 2 years have been experiencing changes due to menopause. I have always had problems with constipation but as I am trying to lose some weight have been trying some different things. One diet book really pushes the fiber aspect. It also says that anyone who is at risk for diabetes (runs in my family) should consume at least 28 grams of fiber per day. Fiber One cereal has 14 grams per 1/2 cup serving. Since I am not a big milk drinker (tend to also have problems with lactose intolerance) I mix my fiber one cereal with yogurt covered raisens, pumpkin seeds, a few nuts and wasabi peas. I eat 1/2 cup of this mix at least 2X daily as a snack and drink at least 4 16oz. bottles of water throughout the day. Along with walking 1 or 2X per week and a 30 minute workout at Curves 3 X per week I can stay pretty regular. The best I have felt in years! I hope this will help you. Nothing worse that terrible constipation.
Sincerely,
Cindy