Should I get a full body CT scan?

[thyroidmom84]

Hi everyone! I have Hashimoto’s (autoimmune disease that causes hypothyroidism) and since being diagnosed last year I have had all kinds of symptoms. I have been worried about having all kinds of ailments since then (MS, Lupus, ovarian cancer, thyroid cancer, brain cancer) and have had lots of bloodwork and tests done as a result (CBC, blood smear, head CT, MRI, pelvic ultrasound, etc.). So to make a long story short- I have been recently fixated on the idea of having lymphoma because I have a small swollen lymph node for 3 months that has been shrinking (and initially measured <1cm which internet says is “rarely a sign of cancer”). This really freaked me out and even though multiple doctors seem worried about it at all, it has caused me to compulsively check my lymph nodes multiple times a day. I also have had 2 friend’s parents (I am 34) be diagnosed with this in the past year.

So then I recently developed idiopathic hives that are being controlled by antihistamines. Well even though I read my Hashimoto’s is a very likely reason for the hives, I also read that people with lymphoma commonly get them. So now I’m freaking out again. Oh and I was given a steroid initially for the hives and at the same time it made me sweaty, a common side effect, but that worried me too (no night sweats, just more sweaty than usual).

My doctor doesn’t know what to do with me at this point. She already did a CBC and blood smear showing nothing abnormal and she says all she can think to do now is have me get a full body cat scan to “reassure me.” Well I’ve had a head CT recently for headaches and I am worried about the exposure to radiation. But even more so, while I know I will be relieved if it comes back clean, I know there is a substantial chance it could find something that will cause me more heath anxiety.

What should I do?

[Krn210]

While I can’t tell you what to do, I would advise you to take a step back and breathe. If you really had lymphoma it would have shown up in your blood tests. If it is any reassurance I have had a few lymph nodes that have been noticeable for years. They are indeed normal. Just lazy in my opinion for not shrinking all the way up. While the CT Scan could potentially give you a piece of mind, it would only do so for a short amount of time until you started fixating on something else. I know because I have been there many times myself. I would take a step back really think about it.

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Krn210]

Thank you so much for this- this has been the way I am leaning. I had a bout of frequent urination and googled it and found it could be caused by ovarian cancer so I requested a pelvic ultrasound. It found a cyst and I lived for almost 3 months in fear. Turned out it was a normal ovarian cyst that resolved itself but those 3 months were awful. I really don’t want to open another Pandora’s box of sorts. And like you said, then I will move on to something else.

[Clarrisa]

Both of my parents did in fact have cancer so naturally I was worried in particular about developing breast cancer. I decided to have genetic counseling. I qualified for it insurance reimbursement wise & was tested for some 42 known genes carrying risk. Every single one came back negative. Still my overall risk for developing this disease I learned was 25%, which is higher than the normal risk. They have given me a year to think about taking a prophylactic medication they recommend to lower my risk.

If you qualify to undergo genetic testing & find you are in fact high risk then the counselor may be able to tell you exactly what the risk benefit ratio is concerning measures to monitor your risk at your particular age. Another thing to bear in mind is some physicians are far better skilled than others at alleviating patient fears.

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Clarrisa]

Thank you- this is great advice. And I certainly agree with the physicians part. I haven’t met many that are good with dealing with my health anxiety.