Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

[jmbatgirl]

Hello -

I am wondering if anyone with lymphoma experienced extreme muscle fatigue as an initial symptom?

I have an unusual situation. About 8 months ago, I had a simple, small cyst removed. The pathologist said it was suspicious for lymphoma. I have the report somewhere but I don't recall why it was suspicious. It was sent to another pathologist I did not see the second report, but according to my doctor, the second pathologist said it was not lymphoma. My doctors sent me on my way, but told me this may come back and if so it would have to be biopsied again.

In October, I started having severe muscle fatigue, drenching night sweats, pain around my rib cage, and a choking sensation. I have a neuromuscular condition and thought the fatigue and choking was a progression of that condition, but have had no success finding an answer there. My internist explained the sweats as hotflashes, and put me on more hormones, even though I've been on hormones for 8 years and have never had one hot flash. Anyway, they did not stop the sweats. The choking sensation has stopped bothering me some in the last few weeks. However, everything else persists. The doctors have pretty much sent me on my way, and seem to think the fatigue is related to my muscle condition, but can't do anything to help. I feel like they are missing something, and maybe this is a problem with a different cause, which makes me suspicious about the biopsy again.

My mother has stage III non-Hodgkins lymphoma (aggressive, large cell, diffuse), and her only symptom was a couple of enlarged lymph nodes. I know she had night sweats, but not at the beginning. I don't want to sound like a hypochondriac, but I also don't want to overlook anything, either. My father and sister both died of cancer, so everyone in my immediate family has had cancer except me, which tends to make me extra vigilant.

I'm sorry to have gone on so long, but would be greatful to know if anyone has experienced muscle fatigue as an initial symptom of lymphoma.

Thank you

[stulchinsky]

Hello, this is a forum moderator responding. Although I do not have a direct answer to your question, I would like to refer you to the following physician-developed and -monitored content for additional information:
http://www.oncologychannel.com/nonhodgkins/riskfactors.shtml
http://www.oncologychannel.com/nonhodgkins/symptoms.shtml

Thank you for participating in the forum!

[verlon54]

I read your post and wonder if you have been diagnose for anything yet. I was in a similar situation the tumor I had was down in my chest cavitiy. It had been growing there for a couple of years before it began to show itself. I had a lot of things going on like a skin rash which got was pooh pooh off to being an allergic reaction to my detergent. Then i started to have pain in my arms and legs one doctor started treating me for authritis etc...... this went on for quite a few months til I finally wound up in the emergency room of the local hospital. I talk to the emergency doctor and with in 45 mins he took an xray of my chest and found the tumor when I told him my experience with the other doctors he didn't want to release me from the hospital - he was amazed at the treatment I had received. He went a step further and made an appointment for me with an internist the next day.

For months I knew something was wrong I had a cough, rash, pain in my legs/arms - but I kept at it til I finally got help. With your family history I would keep going to another doctor until someone runs more test to make sure you do not have NHL. I may be off base there is something off kilter and you need to find help. If anything if you have a teaching hospital I would go there and I may not even tell them of previous biopsy so that you can a get a second opinion.

[jmbatgirl]

Thanks for your reply. I'm still searching for an answer. I get jostled from one doctor to another. Each has a little different spin, and prescribes more medication that really doesn't solve anything. Everyone tells me to get more exercise, but misses the point that I went from walking 2 miles every day to not being able to walk one block due to the pain in my rib area. I see my internist in a couple of weeks, and will see if he is any help. I have mostly been dealing with the other specialists and haven't seen the internist since this all started. Hopefully he will X-ray my chest. I've read of situations like yours and mine where symptoms are misdiagnosed, only to later find a tumor in the chest. I'm glad that you finally got a diagnosis, and wish you well.