Has anyone else's symptoms started off quite vague?

Worried you might have a blood cancer?
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Hi everyone,

I’m hoping it’s okay to post here. I’m currently waiting for some tests and finding the uncertainty quite difficult.

Over the last few months I’ve been feeling unusually tired, even after a good night’s sleep. I’ve also noticed I seem to bruise more easily than I used to, and I’ve had a few episodes of night sweats. I know these symptoms can be caused by lots of different things, but naturally my mind has started to worry.

I have an appointment with my GP and I’m trying not to jump to conclusions, but the waiting is proving harder than I expected.

For those who did eventually receive a diagnosis, were your symptoms quite subtle at first, or did they come on more suddenly?

I know everyone’s experience is different, but I’d really appreciate hearing how things started for you while I wait for some answers.

Thank you.

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Hi @zar6

Waiting is always difficult.

As you rightly say, symptoms are different for everyone.

I went in to see my GP as my belly button was sitting a bit funny.

He took a look and said what’s going on with your side.

Turned out I had an enlarged spleen and diagnosed a few days later with Myelofibrosis a rare blood cancer.

So no real warning that any issues.

Fatigue and bruising definitely needs checking out and hopefully blood tests will give some insight as to what might be going on.

Take care

2 Likes
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Hello @zar6

Welcome to the forum and thank you for taking time to send on your post.

It is certainly okay to post here, and we welcome it.

I found the period between tests and diagnosis seemed to go on for a long time, but looking back it wasn’t that long at all given the various tests I had done etc.

Waiting is the hardest part I found, the not knowing is horrible, wondering what’s wrong, if anything is wrong, and if so what happens next.

Please remember you can call us for free on [0808 2080 888](tel:0808 2080 888) (Option 1) to speak to one of our Support Service Nurses in confidence.

Our phone lines are open:

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Alternatively, call us anytime and leave a message and we’ll get back to you within one working day.

I hope everything goes okay, and do feel free to let us know how you get on

Kind regards

Mike

1 Like
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Morning @zar6
Welcome to the forum. The waiting period for tests is often the hardest part, so go easy on yourself.

Symptoms can show up in very subtle ways. When I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma ('NHL') eight years ago, it was actually found by accident—I had what felt like indigestion, and a scan initiated by my GP picked up a very large mass in my abdomen. It just shows how differently things start for everyone.

Seeing your GP to get bloods done is the best step. There are plenty of everyday reasons for fatigue and bruising, so try not to jump to conclusions while you wait. Let us know how you get on.