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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Cancer / May 2005Steph, can you talk to me?
I am the one haveing intermittent fevers. Had an abnormal spot in my gallium scan, ct scan showed fine. Been checked for lyme disease, rocky mountain spoted fever, etc. One c reative protein was very high, one was normal. Anyway, if a person had lymphoma, would the gallium or ct have detected it? I have no swollen lymph nodes. Just these fevers, and occassional night sweats that are very light, not drenching. Tired, lost some weight but gaining some of that back. I am just real confused. Good,Steph is the right choice.I believe one of the best oncologist(if not the best) in Canada.When he gives advice,trust him.He has great experience,and he knows what he is talking about.Best wishes in coping with your medical problems. >I am the one haveing intermittent fevers. Had an abnormal spot in my > gallium scan, ct scan showed fine. Been checked for lyme disease, rocky [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > I am just real confused. I doubt very much that you have lymphoma. What would cause these symtoms? If I had cancer somewhere else, would the gallium scan have shown it? For yesterday and today I have had no fevers praise the Lord! I have had flu like symtoms where I ach and am cold and just generally dont feel well. > >I am the one haveing intermittent fevers. Had an abnormal spot in my > > gallium scan, ct scan showed fine. Been checked for lyme disease, rocky [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > I doubt very much that you have lymphoma. > What would cause these symtoms? > > For yesterday and today I have had no fevers praise the Lord! I have > had flu like symtoms where I ach and am cold and just generally dont > feel well. I think I saw you post 100°F This is from Medline. [start quote] Normal body temperature is a moving target: Body temperature varies less in adults. However, a woman's menstrual cycle can elevate temperature by one degree or more. Your body temperature is usually highest in the evening. It can be raised by physical activity, strong emotion, eating, heavy clothing, medications, high room temperature, and high humidity. This is especially true in children. A rectal temperature up to 100.4°F (38°C) may be entirely normal. A rectal temperature of 100.5°F or above should always be considered a fever. Lower values might be a fever, depending on the person. Fever is not an illness. Far from being an enemy, it is an important part of the body's defense against infection. Many infants and children develop high fevers with minor viral illnesses. While a fever signals to us that a battle might be going on in the body, the fever is fighting for the person, not against. Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections in people thrive best at 98.6°F. Raising the temperature a few degrees can give your body the winning edge. In addition, a fever activates the body's immune system to make more white blood cells, antibodies, and other infection-fighting agents.[end quoted text] I can tell you that low thyroid, and/or eating too low fat diet, (too fast weight loss) and/or living in a damp house can cause aches and feeling cold. 30's around the time that aches and pain set in for some. Maybe you should ditch the thermometer and get on with life. J > > >I am the one haveing intermittent fevers. > > > > > > I am just real confused. Here is the emedicine article about Fevers of Unknown Origin. http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic785.htm# It says neoplasms (all types of cancers combined) account for the cause of only 20 to 30% of FUO and you have to remember this group would also include the elderly and infirm, and not just made up of a group of 30 something physically healthy men in which the cancer and lymphoma rates would be much lower. > > > <stryped@hotmail.com> wrote in message > > > >I am the one haveing intermittent fevers. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > physically healthy men in which the cancer and lymphoma rates would be much > lower. Well, that will keep him busy, on various newsgroups, asking questions, for another few years. Unfortunately, it does not cover some simpler potential causes: Like strep throat Like infected tonsil Tooth infection/poor dental care. Improper hygiene after probing his rectum for "lumps" Sharing eating or drinking utensils with his kids and/or wife. Sharing his thermometer with his kids and/or wife. Catching something viral from any place/close quarters ; work, church etc. Being around his kids or others (kindergarten) who have viruses. A friend of mine (who is fit) gets 24-48 hour viruses; he gets fevers /sweats; treats them with ibuprofen and they're gone after a few days. This happens 2 or 3 times a year. (same as stryper described). *shrug* - he doesn't bother doctors for tests about that. And possibly many more simpler explanations. J This has been going on every three months since 2003. > This has been going on every three months since 2003. I know. Make a diary page of everything that happened the 48 hours before each time it started you ate XXX, you were in the sun XXX, you ran or exercised XXX, someone else was sick XXX, medications you were taking, events that stressed you out, everything you can remember. other signs and symptoms. PS some people sweat more when they sleep, their head and hair get wet; that's normal for them. We lose heat through our head and feet. See if not covering the feet and not having too many blankets and sheets on you, improves the "night sweats". Another possible cause of sweating during sleep is sleep apnea. (stoppages of breathing). That has to be checked during an overnight sleep study. J Can you tell me if the Gallium scan would have caught cancer or lymphoma? What could be causing these. I still feel achy even when I dont have a fever. It is worse in the afternoon no matter where I am or what I am doing. I know I tend to worry alot but I am scared that somethign was missed. Especially since I had an abnormal gallium scan that showed a 2 to 3 cm spot of significant gallium uptake around my left lung near my diaghapfram. Should I have gotten an abdominal ct instead of a chest? > Can you tell me if the Gallium scan would have caught cancer or > lymphoma? [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > spot of significant gallium uptake around my left lung near my > diaghapfram. Should I have gotten an abdominal ct instead of a chest? I think you should go on holiday >> This has been going on every three months since 2003. > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > That has to be checked during an overnight sleep study. > J Lymphoma (and some infections) night sweats are a very spectacular phenomenon. People say they feel like a bucket of water was thrown over them, and the sheets have to be changed. I know, cos I had them when I got Legionnaire's disease once Seems like I have heard they were "drenching". Is that always true. Mine are not that way but it seems my pillow gets pretty wet. It always happens in the wee hours of the morning between 1 and 3 or so. Last night it happened twice and woke me up. Mostly the back of my head andchest and thae back of my knee for some reason. > This has been going on every three months since 2003. What (else) happened back then? And how old is your youngest? J My youngest is 4 months old. I cant think of anything spectacular that happened back then other than right after the first couple of episodes when I noticed I was having the symptoms of coming in my face red and having a fever of 100 or so then it would misteriously go away. Afew months after first noticing that I got the full blown flu for 5 or so days. > My youngest is 4 months old. Thanks and the eldest is 5? > I cant think of anything spectacular that happened back then other than > right after the first couple of episodes when I noticed I was having > the symptoms of coming in my face red and having a fever of 100 or so > then it would misteriously go away. Afew months after first noticing > that I got the full blown flu for 5 or so days. I was not looking for "spectacular". All your face is red? Or parts of it? Is it like a rash? Or raised redness? Or more like high BP redness? A flush? A blush? (take a photo) Either way, I see that someone has suggested Lupus to you. It is not diagnosed with a scan. You diary your: 1) signs (visible signs on your body) 2) symptoms (fatigue, gastro, fevers, aches/pains (and where), headaches, depression), and what happened the 48 hours before each. (what you ate, what you drank, how much sleep you got, UV exposure, where you were, what you were doing. After a few weeks/month, take the diary and photo, see a rheumatologist and bloodwork is done. J I vary rarely have a red face. I sometimes get one after drinking alchol. (Which I dont do very ofter). > > My youngest is 4 months old. > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > and bloodwork is done. > J Stryped complains of no symptoms of lupus other than the mild fevers. Lupus in young men is relatively rare and follows a definite set of symptoms and lab results. You can be sure if he had a C reactive protein test done that they also did a SED rate and ANA on him at which point his original Dr would have decided whether or not he needed to see a rheumatologist. A self referred appt to a rheumatologist at this point in time is another big waste of money. Ask Steph. > Stryped complains of no symptoms of lupus other than the mild fevers. you would have to read every one of his posts, on every newsgroup that he posted to. Fatigue, swollen fingers, pain, low grade fevers, Recurring flu-like symptoms and/or night sweats (many of these fit the symptoms that Lupus patients mention) > Lupus > in young men is relatively rare and follows a definite set of symptoms and > lab results. Perhaps it's such rigid thinking that caused the death of my co-worker. And the late diagnosis of a male friend of mine - only after his kidneys were in trouble.(late 30's) He'd been feeling ill for almost 10 years before that. So yes, some get Lupus at younger ages. > You can be sure if he had a C reactive protein test done that > they also did a SED rate and ANA on him I ran a search on both his email accounts of all posts over the past two years and SED and ANA did not show up. He has posted bloodwork results on sci.med and the thyroid newsgroup. > at which point his original Dr would original doctor? Apparently he's had many or at least several. > have decided whether or not he needed to see a rheumatologist. A self > referred appt to a rheumatologist at this point in time is another big waste > of money. Ask Steph. I did not suggest it first. It was suggested by a Lupus patient on sci.med.immunology. That's when I decided to get involved for 2 reasons. It was suggested on the fibro newsgroup that he both see an oncologist and a rheumatologist. On alt.med.allergy, they've suggested TB or malaria and a long list of other ailments; including taking long-term antibiotic treatments. On sci.med, several if not more, are suggesting repeat or more/other scans. In my view, a rheumatologist, is the most likely one to clear him of Lupus and likely not order more scans (especially if he takes all his tests/scan results with him) and a little bloodwork (in the face of what is being suggested by all the others, on all the other newsgroups), is minor and rheumatologists usually are pretty good at telling people if they think it's "all in your head". They can suggest a followup with them in a year or so. They can suggest a psychiatrist, if they feel it's warranted. Apparently none of his doctors have. They may redo all his bloodwork, along with screening for Lupus and other things and hopefully explain the results to him. At least, I will know that it is not Lupus (if it's not) However, he probably won't go because he's needle-phobic. When people stop responding, he changes his screen name and email address and starts all over again. And so, these posts, on various newsgroups, will contrinue on into infinity, unless he's finally convinced that's he's had all the scans and all the bloodwork, that would rule most problems out. J > When people stop responding, he changes his screen name and email address and > starts all over again. > And so, these posts, on various newsgroups, will contrinue on into infinity, > unless he's finally convinced that's he's had all the scans and all the > bloodwork, that would rule most problems out. > J You are right about this part. No I'm not going to read his messages in all the ngs you've mentioned. Irregardless of the symptoms he might mention, I still don't think there is any chance he has lupus. Plus, if any of his Drs really thought he had cancer he would already have been hospitalized undergoing more serious testing. If after a month of investigating vague complaints he hasn't gotten any worse and the Drs haven't found anything worth following up on, chances are he's going to live. My real concern is all the money and resources that are being wasted. I had 3 c reactive proteins. The last one was 4.4 which was normal .They told me on the phone today that my sed rate was normal. I dont think I have ever been tested for ana. The did do somehting called an ace but it is not back yet. I assure you these are real. Just because I have changed my screen name in the past does not mean it is not legit. > I had 3 c reactive proteins. The last one was 4.4 which was normal > .They told me on the phone today that my sed rate was normal. I dont [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I assure you these are real. Just because I have changed my screen name > in the past does not mean it is not legit. http://www.questdiagnostics.com/kbase/topic/detail/drug/aa86713/detail.htm I think you're with Quest. I read a post on sci.med where someone claimed they're ripoffs (overbill for tests), but I'm not going looking for it. You would have to search the archives of sci.med on the word Quest and read each thread. Has it occurred to you that your doctors aren't doing a good job of trying to find possible answers for you? They just seem to keep sending for requested scans.... How about seeing a dentist about subclinical tooth infection or periodontal disease ? It's a process of ruling things out, before a bunch of scans or seeing specialists. J Why does everyone get mad? I am just seekign help for the problem I am haivng. > Why does everyone get mad? I am just seekign help for the problem I am > haivng. I think you need a psychiatry newsgroup, not a cancer group Friend,listen...YOU DON'T HAVE CANCER.You don't have tumor.You don't need to search for the answers here.Steph has a point-you are exaggerating a bit,don't you think?When I was younger,I was febrile for 4 months-and it spontaneously resolved.Now when I have tumor,trust me...I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR FEVERS INSTEAD OF IT!! If your fevers were due to cancer,you would be dead by now.Cancer tends to multiply and spread,and you have had these fevers for the last two years,right?Relax,and go to holiday,as Steph advised. > Why does everyone get mad? I am just seekign help for the problem I am > haivng. > Why does everyone get mad? I am just seekign help for the problem I am > haivng. Nobody's mad, Don. My guess is that you are practising avoidance (from unhappiness with yourself and your life) You've tried a number of tactics to improve yourself, but that hasn't changed either the home scene or work scene, or your unhappiness within yourself. You may even be wishing that you do have cancer; either in the hope of getting attention or leaving this world. You've been posting these for 2 years, on various newsgroups. As Dr. Phil, would say "How's that been working for you?" Not one bit. All you've managed to do is get people so tired of hearing it, they no longer want to reply. Try something different. Use your free time wisely, leave the computer alone and get some help for you. Seek out either a support group or a counsellor, or a psychologist. Be prepared to go weekly and talk things out honestly with someone that you can relate to, with whom you can be frank about the issues that are bothering you. It's the only way. I'm telling you from experience. It can take a year, 2 years (even more), tries with one or the other type of support; life's a learning process and along the way, you'll learn about yourself and about others and I promise you will feel better at the end of the experience. You have to wake up reminding yourself of the positives in life; thinking of how to make a loved ones day better (and expect the same from the other). At the end of the road, (if it's marital problems) and she does not reciprocate, you may decide that you deserve better. Or you both may decide that you married too young, or that you weren't meant to be (as a couple). Be good to yourself, be good to your kids, take care of you, in order to be a good example and a good father to your children. Face the/your issues, under expert care or with others who feel the same way as you. I hope next time we meet, you'll have thought about this and started the process of getting help and on your way to a new happier life. One foot in front of the other, is the only way to get there. End of rant. J (because he's back on another newsgroup asking about Gallium scan) J, I feel sorry for the poor guy.He is so obsessed with this cancer thing,he is going to completely destroy himself and the rest of his family.He just can't relize that he would be dead by now if it was cancer.I just hope and pray that he quickly abandons this road that leads straight to hell. Best wishes, D > > Why does everyone get mad? I am just seekign help for the problem I am > > haivng. [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > J > (because he's back on another newsgroup asking about Gallium scan) > "J" <philmath@example.com> wrote in message > > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > referred appt to a rheumatologist at this point in time is another big waste > of money. Ask Steph. Well, I checked and the SED rate isn't always elevated In Lupus. Even those whose is elevated don't always seek treatment. It's the ANA and some of the other bloodwork that rules in or out. So let's say he does have Lupus, he wouldn't be happy with the solution. There'd be nothing to treat, just something to live with and monitor; but at least he would have an answer and stop with the scans. (someone on another newsgroup is now suggesting an ultrasound)...sheesh.. J Stryped should ask to be evaluated for Munchausen's syndrome. No,J.I think there is a better solution.Whole-body MRI should do,I think.If someone feels I am ironical,that is just a feeling.... More like BP redness. > > > > <stryped@hotmail.com> wrote in message > > > > >I am the one haveing intermittent fevers. [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > And possibly many more simpler explanations. > J Numerous people have told him over the past few weeks that it is very unlikely that he has lymphoma without him listening. Eventually he'll learn that all the testing in the world won't answer every question he might have about mild fevers. My concern is whether the healthcare system can survive his quest for answers because further testing at this time is wasting time, money and resources. > Unfortunately, it does not cover some simpler potential causes: > Like strep throat [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > 3 times a year. (same as stryper described). *shrug* - he doesn't bother doctors > for tests about that. And I note that he did not reply to each of these, point by point. So none of these have been ruled out. J > > Unfortunately, it does not cover some simpler potential causes: > > Like strep throat [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > So none of these have been ruled out. > J btw - subclinical tooth infection or periodontal disease is a very good guess for the cause of his fevers. Dental abscesses can cause FUO manifesting as intermittent febrile episodes that may follow eating. Usually patients have no dental symptoms but some patients may complain of painful loose teeth or discomfort while chewing. I dont really have teeth problems. > I am the one haveing intermittent fevers. Had an abnormal spot in my > gallium scan, ct scan showed fine. Been checked for lyme disease, rocky [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > night sweats that are very light, not drenching. Tired, lost some > weight but gaining some of that back. If you would stay on one newsgroup, in one thread, we actually might get somewhere. Now I see you on the fibro newsgroup. Yes, see a rheumatologist but unless something obvious shows up in his/her bloodwork tests, you haven't enough signs and symptoms to meet certain criteria. J > Anyway, if a person had lymphoma, would the gallium or ct have detected > it? I have no swollen lymph nodes. Just these fevers, and occassional > night sweats that are very light, not drenching. Tired, lost some > weight but gaining some of that back. If you're tired, why in the heck are you on Yahoo messenger at "your bedtime" last night? And why are you posting (new posts) to 5 or 6 other (new) newsgroups. Goodness me, why do I get involved... J I just want answers. Someone on another group told me to post questions to the cfs newsgroup. I just wanted some different opinions. On the instant messanger I did a search for the keyword "lymphoma" and thought that I would ask people what their symtoms were before being diagnosed. You don't have lymphoma.If you have had lymphoma,gallium scan would have detected it(it actually would have detected any site of inflammation,but lymphoma as well).Your sole hot spot was a chest one,on CT it looked fine,don't torment yourself anymore,friend,or in the end you might have to see a shrink. J, because of this gentleman,all of us that really have tumors will be eventually declared hypohondriacs:)You are just full of empathy,that is why you get involved.I can understand him,he is young(he is my age,to be precise-33),having small kids,and he obviously tends to worry too much.When I found out about my tumor(s),I thanked God that I don't have any family that would have been crippled by my illness.Stryped obviously tries to find out the root of the problem-but that could be difficult,because he is not a doctor,and doesn't know about medical procedures.I just wish him well,and hope his fevers would resolve soon.I wish you well,too. D |
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