Swollen Lymph Nodes

[TASpark]

Joined the forum today just so I could ask this question.

Been experiencing horrible neck pain since the summer, my counts were good in Sep and they thought it was tension headaches so I did so weeks and weeks of physio with no relief. So I finally had another ct scan last week and found that my lymph nodes are very swollen. Going to my doctor and finally going to start my HIV regiment on Tues, my question is how quickly will this decrease my nodes? Did anyone with a good count but start because of this symptom, I really need relief and thinking this is the only way I can get it now. Thanks!

[Ann]

Hi TA, welcome to the forum.

It's difficult to say how fast - or even if - starting hiv meds will make the swelling go down. Lymph nodes can swell for all sorts of reasons and it might not even be hiv directly causing this. Has your doctor talked about investigating other possible causes? Is it only the lymph nodes in your neck that are swollen?

When you say your numbers have been good, what exactly have they been? Just curious.

You might want to have a look at this (pdf file) paper about hiv-related lymphadenopathy and show it to your doctor as well.

Ann

[TASpark]

My HIV doctor does know about the problem but not how severey which I am going to be talking to him about on Tues, when I say my counts are good I meant my viral load was good and not in dire need of the regiment yet. But I mean I know HIV and swollen nodes can go hand in hand sometimes so starting could help, they did every blood test in Sep so it can't be an infection other than the HIV.

[Ann]

The decision to start meds is usually based more on CD4 counts, rather than the VL unless the VL is extremely high.

Have you been tested for TB? Cancer can also cause swollen lymph nodes. Neither of these things can necessarily be picked up on by looking at the usual CBC and chem screen blood tests that are used to monitor patients with hiv. Did you look at that paper I linked you to?

If I were you, I'd be seriously questioning my doctor about this given how long it's been going on. It's best to always be proactive about your health. 

[TASpark]

Ya I haven't been that vocal with my HIV doctor because for the longest time and since September we thought it has to be something else, which is why I did so much physio, but they never picked up these nods until they looked at my neck and back in September they only looked at my head. I will jot down a TB test and put that into question and I will look at that pdf you sent me now as well, thanks for your words!

[Ann]

You're welcome. Let us know what your doctor has to say on Tuesday, OK?

[TASpark]

Will do! I just need some relief like you wouldn't believe, but it can only get better.

[MadisonTeddy]

Have you had a VDRL for Syphilis? Many times it is the only symptom...

[TASpark]

I don't think so, i'm not sure exactly what blood tests they did take back in September but they took blood many many times. So maybe my doctor can tell me which ones they did and I will bring that up.

[TASpark]

Just an update before I head to bed: Got a chance to talk to my HIV doctor today, starting the regiment tomorrow and he looked at the blood work from back in September and we do think the HIV is what is causing my lymph nodes to swell, should be decreasing in the week or two. So elated I can't even put into words. Thanks for your help guys.

[Ann]

Just an update before I head to bed: Got a chance to talk to my HIV doctor today, starting the regiment tomorrow and he looked at the blood work from back in September and we do think the HIV is what is causing my lymph nodes to swell, should be decreasing in the week or two. So elated I can't even put into words. Thanks for your help guys.

Thanks for the update, TA. Let us know how it goes.