Doctor Visit About my Lymph Nodes

Deanna in CO · Post by **Deanna in CO** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:40 pm

Hi all,

So I finally went to the doctor about my lymph nodes, because they've been swollen for at least several weeks. She said that sometimes infections from other places in the body can settle in the lymph nodes and cause them to swell, and that's what she thinks is going on here - and she prescribed Clindamycin. I am NOT wanting to take antibiotics at this point, but she says the ENT docs won't do a biopsy unless you've tried antibiotics first.

Now I don't know what to do. I'm taking all the "strengthen your immune system" supplements (vitamin B, C, D, zinc, etc) and nothing seems to be helping. At the moment I'm waiting for a bunch of lab tests I asked the doc to order, from CBC and complete metabolic panel Ago NA and sed rate to liver and kidney function (because I am also having pain in my right side about the location of my kidney and liver). If those all come back normal, I may start the antibiotics in spite of myself.

What do you all think?

Deanna

Christine. · Post by **Christine.** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:56 pm

Yipes! surely there is another broad spectrum antibiotic you could take instead of Clindamycin! I credit that drug with triggering mc. VERY hard on the gut.
Chris

Post by **tex** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:58 pm

I would certainly want to at least see an elevated SED rate before taking an antibiotic. Prescribing an antibiotic for an unknown infection (that may not even exist) is not only unprofessional, but one of the primary reasons why antibiotic-resistant bacteria are proliferating.

IMO, antibiotics should not be used simply because a doctor can't figure out what's wrong. Why go to school for so many years to earn a medical degree? Any shade tree mechanic could recommend an antibiotic, "Heck, I don't know what's wrong with you so try an antibiotic and if that doesn't fix you right up, we'll call in a real doctor."

Tex

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:29 am

Well... I was told many, many years ago that the lymph nodes swelling meant they were doing their jobs. When I was younger, especially after my severe strep infection (or EBV) when I was 19, my lymph nodes would swell for long periods of time, then go away. If I got a sore throat, or other indication of sickness, then I went to the doctor for antibiotic because that meant my lymph nodes had lost the battle. Do your lymph nodes hurt? Or are they just uncomfortable or unsightly?

Major caveat: I am not a doctor, I am just telling you my experience.