My 'imaginary lumps' came up 18 years ago, just before I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis and after some 'mystery' viral infection. I was 56kg so not overweight then. Since then I have had a hysterectomy and gained 15kg in weight, been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, checked for Cushings disease (negative) and most recently diagnosed with Cogans Syndrome. These 'non-existent' lumps have been MRI'd and yep- you guessed it, just 'fat'. They get bigger (and sorer) when my RA is more active and recently the left one reacted badly to having a nerve block stuck in it for shoulder surgery. So much for just being 'fat'. Mine are tender and ache at times too. Like lots of other people, I seem to have other health issues but these lumps arrived prior to those, and menopause, and if anything, I'd say they were the very first indication I had that something was amiss. Oh - I was tested for TB when they popped up, and cleared of that too. This is hugely frustrating, embarrassing as the lumps are big, especially on the left which is the size of a hen's egg, and tender enough so I am aware of them pretty much constantly. It has been great to find lots of you out there with these thought, because I haven't seen anyone else in New Zealand with them and my doctors don't really seem interested much (if it isn't killing her, what-the-heck). Whoever finds out what the hell is causing these will be my best friend lol! If there are any other kiwis on the thread, I would love to know, as its a bit lonely down under the bottom of the planet when you have things that don't fit 'the norm'.
I have been having swelling on both sides of my neck for about a week. I have had a severe inner-ear infection on the left side which tends to swell more than the right side. I also have degenerative atheritis in the c-5 and c-6 vertebrae caused from an old injury. I have no fever or pain with the swelling. It tends to show up a lot more at the end of the day. I am 43 and female. I teach dance lessons 3 times a week. I'm in good shape other than the ear infection and old injury issues. The swelling showed up about the same time the ear infection got really unrully. This leads me to believe that those two issues are to blame for the swelling. Even though the ear infection is much better, the fluid is still building up from it. I hope this sheds some light on others who are experiencing the same symptoms.
Wow, my mom found this discussion and sent me a link. It is good to know that I am not alone in riding the medical merry-go-round. My symptoms are throat pain for 3+ months and swelling or fat/fluid pads that appeared suddenly for 1 month. Here's my story...
I am a 52 year old male and in relatively good health - or so I thought. Highly stressful job. Drink 2-3 drinks per day. Blood pressure swings high at times (above 140/90). Had a heart cath 2 years ago, that was negative. Not on any meds except ibuprofen and as needed anti-acid. Mother and brother take meds for hypothyroid. I could stand to lose a few pounds but not overweight at 175 lbs.
Noticed throat pain in mid August 2013 (3 months ago) which I attributed to the onset of soar throat. Pain persisted and I went to urgent care in early October (Oct 8th). No fever, sinus infection or other symptoms. Doc tested for mono and strep which were negative. Gave me a cortisone injection and Clarinex prescription.
5 days later (Oct 12th) there was no change, so I saw my primary care doc. He ordered Thyroid panel (TSH, T3, T4, and antibodies). (TSH has traditionally been high for last few years but other counts normal). He also scheduled me for ENT visit.
Evening of Oct 15th, had a sudden intensification of pain in lower throat. So intense that I would not swallow and went to ER. Blood work was normal, no fever, CT scan of neck with contrast was unremarkable. Given an injection for pain. After 6 hours, pain subsided but did not go away. After sleeping for a few hours and showering, I noticed the "pads" on each side of my neck above collar bone. Exactly as most here describe, fluid/gel-like and no pain. Mine were and have remained about the size of a large egg or small lemon. Much more pronounced when I raise my arms or hold my breath to increase pressure in my chest.
Results from Thyroid panel showed elevated TSH (5.6) but everything else normal.
Saw local ENT on Oct 17th. He suspected thyroiditis and ordered ultrasound and prescribed a prednisone pack (9 days) which I completed. Ultrasound showed only a larger than average thyroid. Asked him about the pads on my neck and he had no idea. Felt them and said I shouldn't be worried about them.
Returned to ENT on Oct 24 and he was doubtful of thyroiditis. Did endoscopy which was unremarkable except my throat looked irritated. Said, either acid reflux, thyroiditis, or a throat fungus. Put me on prescription anti-acid, synthroid (to quiet down my thyroid) and something for the throat fungus. I didn't take any of them.
A diagnostic hospital in Texas was recommended to me so I scheduled an appointment. Have been there twice and still waiting on a diagnosis. There, I have seen an internist, endocrinologist, ENT, allergist/immunologist. I have had countless blood tests, another CT scan (of neck and head), ultrasound of thyroid, fat/fluid pads, and carotid. Swelling has increased some since Oct 16th. Pain in throat has persisted and moves up and down. Sometimes only a discomfort. The endocrinologist and immunologist both find the swelling unusual and really the only ones who took my concern seriously. My adrenal levels were abnormal (high) so re-tests were ordered. Also x-rays of chest, ct of chest, upper GI, and cookie swallow test ordered. Will have results later this week from additional blood work, carotid ultrasound, and chest x-rays.
The immunologist seems determined to find an answer. Will post updates as I have them.
Thanks to your posts here I will be following up regarding the cortisone inject I had prior to appearance of swelling, and also a chronic tooth infection I have had since some have correlated.
Best wishes for all of you in finding a cause and a solution.
Hey everyone-- I've noticed very similar things as most of you. Although, I seem to be much younger than nearly everyone here.... I'm 19, and I first noticed the swelling when I was 17. I am not overweight, I am a marathon runner and extremely athletic. The only health problem I have is whatever this is.
Flareup#1: I was laying in my bed when I suddenly realized that I could not swallow at all. It was like my throat had gone completely numb. I went to tell my parents, and they noticed that my throat was really swollen on the glands. Within minutes I lost the ability to speak, so we went to the ER. The doctors there assumed it was an allergic reaction, gave me Benedryl, and sent me home. The swelling lasted for another week before going away. (November)
#2: In December, I was sitting in class when I felt like my neck was being stung by a bunch of bees, starting at the top of my neck by the ears and going diagonally down the sternocleidomastoid muscle. I went to the bathroom to look at it and realized it was extremely swollen. It was diagnosed as mono.
#3: I went out for a ten-miler, and when I came home, my mom noticed it was extremely swollen. For a week I had trouble swallowing, and I had trouble with speaking. I went to 3 separate doctors, all of whom had no idea what was wrong. I also was sent to get an ultrasound of my lymphnodes as well as bloodtests for hyperthyroid. Both came back normal. (July)
#4: Present. This time, my entire throat will randomly go numb, and it's swollen again. So far, this seems to be my only symptom, besides shortness of breath and trouble swallowing.
I read through this whole thread, and I'm not on any type of medication that would have steroids in them. I haven't been on ANY medication for two years other than the stuff for mono.
I too have swellling on both sides of my neck above the collar bone. It started about a yr ago. I have noticed over the last several days it is increasing in size. I go to the Dr. next Tues to have an array of test. I am hypothyroid (not taking any meds) taking BP meds. And I do take supplements. Exercise, and try to eat right although I do have a sweet tooth that I will give into once inawhile. I do need to lose about 30 lbs. I have now experienced pain in back at the shoulder blade on the left side, feels like whenyour ribs are out of place, although a Chiropractor did and adjustment and they are aligned. No explanation for that pain. I alsohave sleep apnea and trouble breathing. I did notice in this thread that most everyone has a breathing difficulty, so that mustbe a connection there, but what is the cause. I will post once I get the results of all my test. I did get an adjustment to my neck that was rather rough and it seemed to really make the swellling worse.
I have had the same thing for the past three years. Had the swine flu in Oct 2009, also was organising everything for my son's wedding (He and Fiance, family coming from Australia) which was in Vanuatu and to top it off a very high stress job. I wasn't feeling well by the time the wedding came around and by April 2009 knew it was bad when chronic fatigue set in and woke up one morning to find really bad pain in both my thumb joints which has slowly increased over the last three years to other areas, knee hips and of course is arthritis. The swelling above my collar bones started about this time also. The left side (like most of us) the first and still the largest. Along with this, had lots of strange tingling and electric shock feelings travelling through my body and a fog that sets in and you know you just have to go to bed. The thing is, having read so much about chronic and adrenal fatigue I found this can trigger arthritis and other things. I have since read Dr Lam's book and changed my diet and continue to take a bunch of vitamins,(cod liver oil,l-tyrosine,e,c,a etc) vitamin B12 being the most important. I am feeling so much better now, especially the last 3 months but can still relapse or "crash" if I don't watch my stress levels. Have gained a pile of weight as a result of just being too tired to do anything. All in all it does seem that the body is attacking it's own immune system and a healthy diet and vitamins seem to help me anyway. Still not there yet though and still searching for more answers.
I have this same thing, yes, left side. Yep, gel sack is a good description. I have a bad tooth on my bottom, left side and have wondered if infection / lymph / nerve things were an issue. I will get pains, not super severe, just weird, anywhere from just in front of my ear down along my left jaw, to point of chin, down front / left of neck. Can't really say it's a "throat" thing as the only issue it seems to cause with my throat is that there is pressure sometimes from the swelling, but my throat itself is not sore.
Has anyone had bursitis and had this? I had bursitis a few years back from slipping and falling on my front step and kinda caught myself weird. Now that seemed to heal just fine over time but I just wonder if there may be some residual effects.
Also... well, I'll just throw this out there. If you understand you do, if not, oh well. I am going through the ascension process and assisting with the planet's ascension. The last 3 years have been very challenging, being used as a human antenna, clearing and releasing old energies and grounding in new ones. I know our glands and chakras are getting a workout and expansion and this may all play into this, but... due to this heavy inner / energetic work I've been doing, when I would normally be moderately active and an athlete, the last few years I've been beyond couch potato, not left with much energy to use outwardly. So... I have spent lots of time sitting in the same chair, watching TV and often with a laptop in my lap. I was wondering if perhaps repetitive stress of same position / using computer was perhaps also donating to this. I'd really like to know if anyone else is doing computer or other things repetitively and feels this might be part of it.
Also with this ascension work, I have nervous system things going on occasionally which absolutely happens with spiritual connection work and this whole jaw, neck, swollen clavicle area thing sometimes comes along with other little nervy / twitchy episodes from this ascension work. Many of you may not be consciously aware of the planetary ascension going on, but that doesn't mean you are not being affected also. I know, paradigm shifting info for many, but oh well, it's happening whether people are aware or not.
Would love to hear any and all comments on this (please spare me any ridicule though if you just don't get where I'm coming from on the spiritual work - can't blame you if you have no framework to put it in, I didn't either before it became my own personal experience).
I too have this swelling at base of neck and collar bone. It is like a gel pack under the skin. It comes and goes and when it is swellon I can tell because the skin is sensitive, cant stand my collar or jewelry rubbing on it. For me it all started this summer when I got stung by a bee. I could feel the swelling going up my arm. I was on prednisone for a week and all seemed to go away. Since then, the swelling has returned off and on. It did go to both sides but since the prednisone only the right side has been swelling.
i will be scheduling doctor appt, but if anyone else gets a diagnosis would love to hear it!