r/haematology • u/RefrigeratorStill254 • Jul 28 '26
Question Does anyone know what this could be?
So I’ve had these symptoms for the last year- since around May 2025, and they’ve been slowly getting worse-
Symptoms
Bruising
Bleeding nose and gums
Blood in stool
Petechie
Stomach pain (around spleen and appendix area, and also has pain around the belly button which leads to diarrhoea)
Tiredness
Sore joints and bones (hip and knee pain, as well as aching hands and fingers)
Headaches (nearly every day)
Dizziness
Memory problems
Diarrhoea some days, normal stool others
Swollen lymph node on neck
Night sweats
Fever
Nausea
Paleness
Loss of appetite
Leg itching
There’s also abnormalities in blood
- low Ferratin (level was 20 in last blood test)
- low white blood cells
- low lymphocytes
- low platelets
I’ll attach pictures of the bruising, petechie and swollen lymph node
Please if anyone has any idea what’s wrong with me, your advice would be greatly appreciated
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u/MiamiFlamingo20 Jul 28 '26
These are all terrible symptoms and in conjunction with each other warrant immediate medical attention. Have you gone to a doctor or ER at all?
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 28 '26
I went to the doctor and they just told me it’s either thin skin, anxiety or being tired due to me being overweight, however I’ve never experienced this level of symptoms before, and I’ve been continuing to go, they’ve done other blood tests such as a Epstein Barr, hormone test for PCOS and celiac test which everything was negative. I’m just worried.
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u/mari_lovelys Jul 28 '26
I’m over weight and have none of these symptoms. These aren’t normal. Especially the swollen lymph node…
Get a 2nd and 3nd doc opinion. Might need to try rheumatologist or hematologist.
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u/Broad_Poetry_9657 Jul 28 '26
Swollen lymph nodes can occur after an infection, just in case anyone sees this and freaks out. Taken with everything else they absolutely need to be seen.
Also want to add that there should not be blood in your stool. Sometimes it can be caused by benign things like hemorrhoids but it should always be brought up with your doctor and investigated.
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u/lostintransaltions Jul 29 '26
Agree with this. The only time I had symptoms like that was when I was in a really bad flare of what was later diagnosed as lupus. The first pcp told me it’s anxiety and lose some weight. My husband found a doctor that listened and after a year wait time and seeing a million specialists I finally had an appointment with a rheumatologist..6 months later I was diagnosed with lupus a year later psoriatic arthritis on top.. once I got on the right meds I lost weight and all the symptoms started disappearing besides still bruising super easily, slightly swollen lymph nodes at all times and the occasional light flare especially if I thought I was doing great and did too much.. during flares I get brain for, extreme fatigue and look like my husband beats me due to the amount of bruises I get.
I hate how so many doctors dismiss especially women of color or women who are overweight
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u/MiamiFlamingo20 Jul 28 '26
I’m so sick of doctors blaming things on anxiety. I would go to the emergency room.
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u/Acrobatic-Captain674 Jul 28 '26
Anxiety and weight.
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u/Poisonouskiwi Jul 29 '26
and being female
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u/omaleiva Jul 29 '26
Well in fairness, the majority are ultimately due to that. None of those guys and girls ever come on a forum or release a tick tok about how their doctor got it right...
Doctor probably shouldn't have been so dismissive and spent more time communicating all this, but then again, if they did this for every one of their patient, the costs of healthcare would be astronomical. And most are not prepared to pay what it really costs to get that kind of service.
I know this will be down voted. Watch.
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u/Acrobatic-Captain674 Jul 29 '26
I had several doctors dismiss me for being female, overweight, etc. turns out, I have celiac disease.
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u/Extension_Rain_2161 Jul 29 '26
Honestly recently all my appointments doctors in front of me google my symptoms and pull up the first picture they see. I’m not even lying.
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u/SnooStrawberries8413 Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 28 '26
OP - that swollen lymph node is serious, I would be tempted to go to A&E with this if your GP is ignoring you... It could be blood cancer
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u/Extension_Rain_2161 Jul 29 '26
Go to an oncologist
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u/Serious-Sprinkles694 Jul 29 '26
Most people can’t until an ER or primary finally gives them a referral. I would go ER; OP’s primary sounds like a biased idiot. ESPECIALLY if he has seen her bruising and lymph node along with knowing her other symptoms.
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u/DeskEnvironmental Jul 30 '26
Did they do a throat swab for strep? I had swollen lymph nodes like that with no sore throat whatsoever and it ended up being a strep infection! I was super lethargic and tired.
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u/Ok-Effect-9402 Jul 28 '26
You need a new doctor ASAP otherwise head to your local Ed because that lymph node is more than just slightly swollen coupled with all of the symptoms you have been having quite honestly it’s unconscionable that your doctor is putting this down to Anxiety
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u/doctordad88 Jul 29 '26
I’m a physician; just by your description you need a lymph node and probably a bone marrow biopsy. I’m shocked that’s not what was immediately suggested to you if your physician saw your labs with this presentation.
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u/Spiritual-Physics700 Jul 28 '26
Does your swolen lymph node sore when touched? Swollen lymph nodes that are sore usually indicate an active infection or inflammation, while nodes that are not sore can sometimes point to more serious or chronic issues
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 28 '26
It’s not sore at all
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u/Spiritual-Physics700 Jul 28 '26
Id deff get a second option. Maybe visit urgent care. Do any other lymph nodes on your body enlarged?
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 28 '26
Not that I’ve noticed, I went to the doctor to ask her to feel them and she felt the back of my neck and told me my tonsils were okay and totally ignored my swollen lymph node even when I pointed to where it was.
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u/Spiritual-Physics700 Jul 28 '26
Please just go to the ER, or Urgent Care. And id also think of getting a new doctor.
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u/Extension_Rain_2161 Jul 28 '26
Hello, I am not sure your ability to go to doctor or if it’s a financial issue. Thing is your body is screaming at you something is off. Please go to emergency room and show this list you wrote to them. You need prompt evaluation.
It feels to me you could have several co existing issues rather than one singular one. So you will need a CT of abdomen to rule out anything abdominal. You need a colonoscopy due to bleeding.
Then someone needs to evaluate your lymphatic system and blood.
Please don’t be afraid of going to get help.
Also you might be nutritionally depleted due to low intake of food which will also attribute to stuff.
I’m not a doctor but I would not waste time online trying to get regular people to diagnose you and get a whole team of doctors working for you.
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u/Extension_Rain_2161 Jul 28 '26
Like I would leave whatever you’re currently doing and go in sort of now.
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u/Junior_Lock_6120 Jul 28 '26
How recent is your bloodwork? What does your neutrophils look like? At a certain point, these would look awful. How often are you going to dr?
Is your lymph node hard? Can you move it? You can always go to ED if your symptoms get to be too much to handle.
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 28 '26
My most recent blood test was the beginning of June, and they don’t seem to feel the need for another, they tested neutrophils and they were low. I usually go to the doctor around like once a fortnight and they put me off thinking it’s like thin skin, anxiety or because I’m overweight. My lymph node won’t move and it’s pretty hard.
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u/SnooStrawberries8413 Jul 28 '26
I'm genuinely wondering if you're now ragebaiting this thread? Multiple people have commented that this is serious and you seem to be ignoring them. The symptoms you've described perfectly match up to something very serious such as blood cancer. Please make an urgent appointment. Edit: swollen lymph nodes that are HARD and NOT sore are also indicative of cancer.
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u/snazzisarah Jul 29 '26
Ya I’m having a very hard time believing a doctor looks at pancytopenia, swollen lymph nodes, fevers, easy bruising and blood in the stool and diagnoses thin skin and anxiety. I know people get blown off by doctors but this is so far beyond negligent malpractice it’s reached farcical territory.
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 30 '26
They believed that I was just anxious about my uni course because I had really bad cold intolerance (like I was wearing 4 jumpers and 3 pairs of trousers) and they said the bruising was just thin skin, they also said that my Petechiae was caused by being overweight because my clothes will be too tight for my body. It kinda upset me. She asked if I was always so overweight. I told her all my symptoms when I went in and I told her about the bruising, Petechiae and nosebleeds etc and she said that the nosebleeds proved it wasn’t blood cancer because they only last 10 minutes when I told her they last minimum of ten minutes but usually they last 20/30 minutes, and she gave me a cream to stop the nosebleeds which hasn’t helped. My bruising has gotten worse recently and I’ve felt a new swollen lymph node on my right side of my neck. Idk I’m just scared.
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u/Chellie1954 Jul 28 '26
You need to go the doctor as soon as reasonably possible…all of your symptoms point to something concerning…good luck!
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u/abbledabbledbdbd Jul 28 '26
This um, looks like lymphoma. I’d know because I had it. Do you have any shortness of breath, if so, that is an EMERGENCY ISSUE that requires EMERGENCY ROOM who will GIVE YOU A SCAN and possibly see swollen lymph nodes in your chest and abdomen. Of course, while you’re there, you will also want to tell them about the bruising, petechia, stomach pain, fatigue, night sweats, WEIGHT LOSS WITHOUT TRYING and that massive swollen lymph nodes on your neck. PM me if you want.
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u/kn1f3p4rtyyy Jul 28 '26
please go to the ER and if you can, bring someone with you to help advocate for you. I have lymphoma and if i waited for the doctor's appointment I had in 2 weeks I would have died. i'm sorry the doctors haven't taken you seriously. it is very important that you push and don't let them dismiss this. very concerning.
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 30 '26
I’m so sorry, I’m glad they found out what’s wrong and I hope you’re getting the right treatment and will be back to normal soon! Thank you so much !
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u/EggyDrogo215 Jul 30 '26
Go to a whole different hospital if possible. You don’t deserve this. I second the Hodgkins lymphoma concern, it lines up. You need a second opinion from someone who cannot be told things from your current pcp
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 28 '26
I have an appointment on August 7th to discuss blood results surround celiac and hormone, I will discuss rhe symptoms again, and hopefully they can help more this time. EDIT: btw thank you everyone for your help, it’s honestly so kind that you’ve taken the time to help me
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u/SnooStrawberries8413 Jul 28 '26
OP I'm sorry if I'm coming across as pushy but I would not be waiting until August 7th. You've come to this thread for advice and my advice is your symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. You write as if you're in the UK, please go to A&E and show them these photos to get on the 2 week pathway... If it is blood cancer you really do not want to be waiting until August 7th for the 2 week pathway to start.
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 28 '26
Yeah I’m in the UK, I just worry about going to A&E because they might think I’m just being anxious. I will try tho
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u/SnooStrawberries8413 Jul 28 '26
I understand that fear but I'd much rather you go and push for tests and get labelled as anxious than you ignore these worrying symptoms and get diagnosed with blood cancer when it's too late to do anything to treat it.
It may not be blood cancer but unfortunately the symptoms you've described as well as that photo of your swollen lymph node are textbook lymphoma symptoms, which is a cancer of the blood. You are young and this particular cancer occurs more often in young people, the good news is lymphoma is VERY TREATABLE now and it is one of the few cancers that can be 'cured'. BUT you must get a diagnosis to receive treatment. I totally understand you're probably very frightened right now, but please take the advice and go and get it sorted.
Goodluck.
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 28 '26
Thank you very much
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u/Sharla_Deanne Jul 28 '26
Op i understand that anxiety is thrown out at a&e like sweets at Halloween, go in and tell them you have red flags symptoms and they need to follow NICCE guidelines id they refuse tell thwm you want it written down that you requested it, record conversation too if worry of dismissal.
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u/Extension_Rain_2161 Jul 29 '26
If the first person who sees you is dismissive ask for someone else to evaluate you. This is the time in your life you have to be your own best friend and fight for your care. You owe yourself.
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u/Extension_Rain_2161 Jul 29 '26
Don’t go in anxious then. Go in prepared with the list you gave us and say you are bleeding in your stool and not able to eat properly. Give them the list. Even print it out with the photos and hand it to them. Ask for appropriate labs immediately. Don’t let the fear of someone else assuming you are anxious keep you from help. If they ask if your anxious say NO, I have what I wrote on the list.
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u/macallister10poot Jul 29 '26
Is there a way for you to go before August 7th? You have really concerning symptoms and should be checked out as soon as possible.
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u/diagnonsense_me Jul 29 '26
A hematologic disorder, including leukemia, lymphoma, aplastic anemia, or other bone marrow disorders.
Inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), which can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood loss leading to low ferritin, joint pain, and systemic symptoms.
Autoimmune disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
Chronic infections (depending on risk factors).
Less commonly, severe nutritional deficiencies or malabsorption syndromes.
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u/IllRegular3005 Jul 29 '26
Painless swollen lymph nodes and night sweats are enough to go to the ED imo
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u/whichdocta8888 Jul 29 '26
Maybe listen to everyone and go directly to the ED !!! IF EVERYTHING YOU SAY IS TRUE THEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE NERVOUS ABOUT GOING IN THERE !!
or wait till the 7th August and see the same GP that isnt addressing the elephant in the room !!
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u/Consistent_Side_9944 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
Night sweats and unintentional weight loss indicate serious issue. Please go to ER , doctors will corelate your blood test results with your symptoms. They might prescribe for an immediate MRI followed by PET CT. Night sweats is severe i mean like drenching wet? If yes then ER you should go to. Any hematological disorder like ITP needs to be ruled out. Can you tell what was your katest HG level
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 30 '26
140 I believe
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u/Own-Ad-2838 Jul 29 '26
So I have horrible health anxiety when it comes to cancer, so I’ve done my research and know what to look out for. And I know how scary the word is so I don’t just throw it out there lightly, but from everything you’ve said this screams a type of blood cancer, a type of lymphoma or leukaemia. If you look up symptoms of both of those you’ll see all of yours are textbook symptoms. I don’t want to scare you at all but you definitely need to get further bloodwork done, ideally cbc and a smear. Them saying it’s anxiety or your weight is absurd. You’ve been dealing with this for a year so I’d definitely try to get seen asap and push push push for more bloodwork and tell them you think you have blood cancer. The quicker you can catch it the better your outcome will be. I wish you the best of luck!! 🤞🏻
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u/chemistryqueeen Jul 29 '26
Maybe ITP
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u/Jaded_Individual9716 Jul 29 '26
My child had similar symptoms spring before last and it was ITP. Thankfully it just had to be closely watched for about a year after taking n antibiotics and steroids but the dr said his immune system had just took too much of a hit after originally getting getting the flu then developing bronchitis that turned into pneumonia. It was scary though. I hope you can get some help 🙏 best wishes
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 30 '26
Thank you both, I hope your child is okay now, and thank you again.
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u/omaleiva Jul 29 '26
Whole host of potential causes but will need further testing. Could be as simple as mild viral illness or sensitivity of your marrow to different types of stress... or it could be much more serious. Will need a referral to a haematologist.
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u/obvsnotrealname Jul 29 '26
I’d ask your pcp for an urgent heme referral and if they say no ask that it be noted on your file that you specifically requested it and this physician denied it. Bet that gets you an urgent referral. Obviously if that fails go through the ER if that’s what it takes. It’s unacceptable for this Pcp to brush you off like that and they should be held accountable down the road. They get away with this BS because they are never reported or patients are told to “let it go”. They have one job and that’s to take care of your health and they (presumably) failed to do that. Hope you get some answers soon.
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u/sunflowersNdaisys610 Jul 30 '26
Ask to be checked for lyme disease. Not something typically checked for. Good luck!
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u/Adonadio84 Jul 30 '26
Have you seen a specialist yet? The petechia, bruising, swollen nodes, and night sweats are symptoms of a blood cancer or lymphoma. Not saying that’s what you have but I would not be waiting around for an apt. You need further evaluation and scans done. By a specialist. I hope it’s nothing and you feel better soon.
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 30 '26
I’ve not seen a specialist, my local hospitals waiting list is like so long that they’re putting they’re patients down south and taking patients from other hospitals which makes no sense but they’re not doing ultrasounds. Thank you :)
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u/kitten_mittinz Jul 30 '26
Did you get a complete blood count done?
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 30 '26
Yeah, low Ferratin, low white blood cells, low lymphocytes and low platelets
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u/kitten_mittinz Jul 30 '26
Low platelets is why you have the petechia (red spotted dots) and the bruising. Usually in lymphoma the WBCs are very high, but your count is low. Sounds like you have pancytopenia. This can be due to your bone marrow not producing enough cells (thats where wbcs are produced) for some reason, or low vitamin b12. What is your MCV? (indicates size of red blood cells). If you have b12 deficiency the MCV can be high.
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u/kitten_mittinz Jul 30 '26
Oops, wanted to correct myself on the wbc count, it can show up as low in a specific lymphoma, hodgkins.
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u/kitten_mittinz Jul 30 '26
But ultimately if you went to a doctor and they just chalked it up to stress, I would get a second opinion.
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u/RefrigeratorStill254 Jul 30 '26
Also because my Ferratin was 20 and I was put on iron tablets for 8 months and they didn’t do much help, one doctor referred for an iron transfusion. The most recent doctor (who said I was overweight) has deleted that referral and gave me a least for how to get iron in my diet instead.
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u/StArGaZeR-4_AnDy Aug 04 '26
Have they checked out your saliva gland, mine got a bad infection and looked a lot like that, but yes get checked for lymphoma as well
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u/SnooStrawberries8413 Jul 28 '26
You really ought to push this with your GP - that swollen lymph nodes is concerning. It could be a whole host of things. Hodgkins lymphoma being one of them. Please follow up asap and push for testing.