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Posted 3/23/2014 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hello. I'm Carly. I just got diagnosed with lupus. about 10 months ago I found a swollen node on my left neck (about the size of an almond). Today, it is about the size of a walnut. I went to the doc a few months ago for an enlarged node on my neck. After ultrasounding they found 3. Just last week they did another ultrasound and found 7 and the ones that had already been there have grown. So following blood work, the only abnormality was a strong positive for ANA, indicating I have lupus. They also found more in my groin just a few days ago. All of these are on my left side. My NP is not sure that the lupus would cause lymphadenopathy on only my left side so I have a biopsy next week (especially as we have a family history of lymphoma). It may be that I have lymphoma and the lupus was found by chance, as the only symptoms I have had is fatigue and swollen lymph nodes (and joint pain for years that I always attributed to arthritis). Has anyone else experienced swollen lymph nodes as their first symptom and did they present in this same way where they grew over a period of months? Also, has anyone ever been diagnosed with lymphoma on top of lupus, and if so, what were your symptoms? This waiting game has been so hard; any answers would be appreciated. Thank you! I should probably also add that I am 23 years old.
Posted 3/24/2014 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not familar with lymphoma so I'm not sure what's happening. Maybe someone else has experenice with this.

Welcome to HW by the way.
Posted 3/24/2014 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure how your Lupus was diagnosed if you're only symptom is fatigue and swollen lymph nodes. Lupus is diagnosed by a rheumotologist, and you need to have at least 4 of the 11 symptoms to be diagnosed.

ANA is only 1 symptom and indicates the possibility of an auto-immune disease -- it does NOT mean you have Lupus, only that it is one of several auto-immune diseases that should be looked into before forming a diagnosis.

I do know of some Lupus patients with lymphoma, but I'm not sure if it was considered a separate illness or part of Lupus.

Let us know what you find out!
Posted 3/24/2014 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Carly and welcome. I'm sorry to hear the frightening experience you are going through.

I get swollen lymph nodes quite often and sometimes they do last for months. Once one in my armpit was particularly scary. Mine have always been attributed to infection, sometimes one I didn't even realize I had.

For example, I had walking pneumonia for weeks (possibly longer) and my only symptoms were extreme fatigue and a persistent cough that would not go away. Having allergies and asthma I just figured that was the problem and well, I always feel kinda crummy lol. Then I got a rash all over my chest and a swollen lymph in my armpit and finally went to the doctor. Only then I found out about the pneumonia. The swelling and pain lasted long after the pneumonia went away.

I always have a very high white blood count which can be considered odd for lupus (lupus usually depletes white blood cells) so I've heard but could be wrong (brain fog) and can be an indicator of lymphoma but I do not have it. This is one of the reasons my rheumy calls my blood "weird". But I have a few allergies, one quite severe and constantly triggered. I also get a lot of infections (strep, pneumonia, skin infections in my eczema etc) and always along with it some swollen lymph nodes. And as I said, some last for weeks and months.

Sometimes something that looks like a duck and walks like a duck is actually a chickadee so don't panic, hang in there and fingers crossed it is something not as scary!
Posted 3/24/2014 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. I should have said an unconfirmed diagnosis. I've also had symptoms such as swelling, headaches and joint pains that come and go but of course those can be attributed to nearly any of the autoimmune diseases. I suppose given my age, gender, and strong positive ANA, they went ahead and said lupus which may or may not have been a safe bet on their part. Following the biopsy, they are doing more tests to determine if in fact lupus is a culprit involved. Hoping for answers sooner rather than later. Thank you all for your responses. God bless you

Carly
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