Worried I have lymphoma

[Rainydays99]

Hi everyone. I feel slightly silly posting about this as the logical part of my brain is telling me it’s probably nothing. But the nagging anxiety is pushing me to reach out. I am hesitant to go to my doctor because I was there recently (for unrelated reasons) and mentioned I had been suffering from health anxiety for the past few months and I’m afraid she’ll just brush me off and tell me to go home if I go back now.
It all started back in August when I had a kidney infection. I took antibiotics and it went away. This started me thinking about my health. I then decided to see my doctor in September for some heart problems I’ve been having for a few years. She referred me to a cardiologist suspecting it could be POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a very common (and not dangerous) autonomic nervous system disorder. That is what my most recent appointment was for. While I was there, I mentioned that my right rib cage had been hurting on and off ever since my kidney infection and I was worried it might be something more sinister. She assured me I was fine and that it was probably just residual inflammation from my recent-ish infection but ran some bloodwork just incase. Bloods came back normal except for a slightly elevated lymphocyte percentage (54% when it should be between 18 and 47), but the absolute lymphocyte count was normal. In addition to this, my neutrophil percentage was slightly low (39% when it should be between 41 and 70). Again, absolute count was normal. WBC and RBC were also normal. This worried me, but my doctor seemed to think it was fine and didn’t mention it. If she’s not worried, I shouldn’t be right? Unfortunately that’s not how my brain works. A couple days ago, I found a tiny bump on the right side of my neck. It’s only visible in certain lighting when the shadowing is just right. I showed my mom and she said she could kind of see what I was talking about but that it was barely visible. To me, it seems incredibly noticeable, but that could just be my anxiety talking. I’ve been fixated on it for days and convinced I have lymphoma (despite not having any symptoms other than a tiny bump on my neck). I am 21 years old, and I know lymphoma is most common in my age range but I also know there are tons of reasons I could have this little bump and tons of reasons by bloodwork could be the way it is, but it’s hard to think rationally and not panic. Not sure what to do from here. If anyone has advice please feel free to share it!

 

[FlipperK]

Sorry you are going through this.

While it is comforting to know that others are also suffering from the same things, it is heart breaking because we all know how much of a toll it takes on you both physically and mentally.

Now, you are still young at 21. This means you have not experienced the joys of growing older!

I am 30 years old and I have developed plenty of bumps and lumps through out my body. All have been cleared as benign growths, mostly lipomas. Having said that, it is normal and you should expect lumps/bumps to show up eventually. While you should always get them checked, they are mostly going to be nothing and benign.


It is also normal to have swollen lymph nodes when dealing with infections. A kidney infection is a serious infection, not just an infected bug bite or cut... but we are talking about a major internal organ. Your lymphatic system is part of your immune system. When you have major infections, you will notice swollen lymph nodes from time to time. That also means that your blood work may be slightly off.


Since there is a major event with your body (Kidney infection), I wouldn't expect many tests to be totally normal. If your doctor has reviewed your history and tests and see's no worries... then yes... you shouldn't worry.


As stated above, that little bump can be benign or a lymph node due to your recent infection. Keep an eye on it and bring it up to your doctor next time you talk with her. You will have plenty of lumps and bumps ahead of you... just keep in mind that nearly all of them are just part of growing older and are perfectly okay.

 

[Rainydays99]

Sorry you are going through this.

While it is comforting to know that others are also suffering from the same things, it is heart breaking because we all know how much of a toll it takes on you both physically and mentally.

Now, you are still young at 21. This means you have not experienced the joys of growing older!

I am 30 years old and I have developed plenty of bumps and lumps through out my body. All have been cleared as benign growths, mostly lipomas. Having said that, it is normal and you should expect lumps/bumps to show up eventually. While you should always get them checked, they are mostly going to be nothing and benign.


It is also normal to have swollen lymph nodes when dealing with infections. A kidney infection is a serious infection, not just an infected bug bite or cut... but we are talking about a major internal organ. Your lymphatic system is part of your immune system. When you have major infections, you will notice swollen lymph nodes from time to time. That also means that your blood work may be slightly off.


Since there is a major event with your body (Kidney infection), I wouldn't expect many tests to be totally normal. If your doctor has reviewed your history and tests and see's no worries... then yes... you shouldn't worry.


As stated above, that little bump can be benign or a lymph node due to your recent infection. Keep an eye on it and bring it up to your doctor next time you talk with her. You will have plenty of lumps and bumps ahead of you... just keep in mind that nearly all of them are just part of growing older and are perfectly okay.

Thank you so much for your reply. You’re absolutely right that it’s most likely nothing and that I should trust my doctor. I was looking back on some pictures from a few years ago and I think I had it then but didn’t notice because I wasn’t obsessed with my health at that point in my life. I will still keep an eye on it and bring it up to my doctor the next time I see her just for some peace of mind, but for now I will try to focus on other things and not worry too much! Thanks again!

 

[Kelculator]

Adding on to this, I think a slightly elevated lymphocyte level is pretty normal, since your body just fought off an organ infection, and your immune system might be still on guard, which is a good thing actually. And I have a few neck bumps too, if they are connected to the skin and not that deep, it can be cysts.