Sick with questions...

Hello everyone! Its been so long since I have been here! I haven't had a computer for a long time! But I am back...and I am sick..waaaaa.

I have a quick question before I have to go back to my bed....

I have WBC 3.7, differenitals are ok. Swollen left cervical node, very painful, pain in left side lymph nodes down to my knees, low grade temp and sheer exhaustion.

Went to the doc, not the rheumy, who said I have viral parotitis, or mumps. But.. he was guessing, and I know he was guessing. He was a first year PA. I do not have parotid gland swelling, but do have some pain in the saliva gland.

The PA, nor the doctor at the urgent care could tell me if Lupus/auto immune can cause just the left side lymph nodes to swell, or does it have to be all over?

They didn't seem concerned, told me to just wait it out, but its been 10 days now and I am feeling no better, maybe worse.

I want to call my Rheumy, but I do not have a phone right now. Yep, its winter in Montana and the financial aspect of my life is in the dumps.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Also, I have possible sjogrens, but the doctor said that if my parotid gland were infected as a by product of the sjogrens, I would have an elevated WBC, not low. Plus, I have plenty of saliva right now, but it is rather thick. Prior to this happening I was feeling good, but was having NO saliva in my mouth all night long.

Thank you again, I hope you are all doing well. I will read posts that I missed when I am able to sit up here longer.

Love and Hugs,
Darlene

Hi Rosie

Thanks for the reply. I guess my question was this... can lupus cause us to have just the lymph nodes on the left side of our neck, collar bone and underarm swollen? Or would it have to be bilateral throughout the whole body.

Thank you for the advice on keeping warm, thankfully I do still have electric! But, I do not have medical insurance, and it is a big problem for me right now. I went to the doctors office where my primary was, he had left the practice at the beginning of the year, and thats where they did the bloodwork. I suppose that since my WBC count is low, it means it is not a bacterial infection.

I did put a call in to my rheumy's office, but like you said will have to wait until Monday for a reply.

Not sure if you remember, but I had clostridium difficile for a long long time. I finally got rid of that horrible thing and now its something else. Seems like thats how it goes!

THanks again Rosie

Darlene

Monkeyme,
It is so rare to see mumps this day in time because of immunizations. Can you go to an emergency room? I realize you don't have insurance; but they can't refuse to treat you. Swollen lymph nodes for that length of time is nothing to play off. You need to see a real doctor!! Take care of yourself! God Bless You, Judy

I'm really sorry Darlene, I just don't know that there is a sure answer to your questions. Lots of Lupus stuff IS bi-lateral. . . but not all. But like the others have said Sjogrens, Lupus, Mumps . . . You need Doctor House!!! LOL I'm so sorry you are stuck with no insurance. Is there any way you can apply for medicaid??? Not sure what qualifies a person, but income is one of the criteria. Something to check into. Also, in Lupus Resources (link in my signature) there is a post about free or low cost meds. Make sure to check into that if you haven't already found a way to get help with your meds. Also, make sure to ask your doctors for samples from the office. They are usually happy to give them to patients without prescript ion coverage. Keep us posted. Blessings!

Ginny,
I live in Kalispell Montana, which isn't all that far from Alberta... something to think about any way! Thanks for that info.