I am a 31 year old male. I smoke tobacco and pot on a regular basis though I only smoke a pack of cigarettes about every 5-6days. I also drink alcohol, though not habitually. Other than that, I am healthy and I exercise on a regular basis. I live in San Francisco, and I don't have insurance right now, but will be eligible through my work in just over a month.
About 4 months ago I was eating a sandwich and every time I swallowed, my throat would click, just above my adams apple. At this stage it was not painful, just a bit disconcerting and awkward. Since then it has gotten better and worse, but at this point there is constant discomfort, and difficulty swallowing. It seems to be worse after I smoke, or eat. Hot beverages like coffee seem to irritate it as well, and cold beverages soothe it a bit. If I place my fingers at the top of my adams apple and swallow I can feel something move in there that is clearly creating the clicking sensation. The base of my adams apple seems to be sore now too, if I squeeze it, or bump it I can tell. Sometimes I turn my head and I can feel something in my neck shift.
About two weeks ago I noticed a lump above my adams apple on the right side while shaving. Upon close inspection, I found another lump about the same size, in about the same place, directly opposite. They are about the size of peas and are movable under the skin. They seem to get bigger and smaller depending on how irritated my throat is, but I could be imagining things. I have lost weight recently and, in the past few days, have had a few night sweats, but I think both of those things are coincidental. I started riding my bike every day and couldn't afford to eat as much for the last month because I just moved and started a new job. Also I stopped weight training which I did 6 days a week. I went from 168lbs to 159lbs in just under a month. The night sweats have been on hot nights as well and I have a really thick down comforter, so I will have to pay more attention to see what is causing them. If it happens on a cold night, then I will consider it a verified symptom, but until then, just a speculation.
I have seen two doctors now, since I don't have insurance, they were both at community heath clinics, and hardly specialists. The first told me that I had most likely injured the cartilage in my throat and it would eventually heal. This scenario is possible because earlier in the week before symptoms occurred, I had been riding my bike with the chin strap extremely tight, and could have swallowed hard and easily damaged something, but I am not convinced that is what is going on. The second doctor had the chance to feel the lumps in my throat and told me she "thinks" there are glands near there (real comforting) and that the swelling should go away. She also said the back of my throat was red and irritated, so I should just wait and see. She also suggested I sign up for Healthy San Francisco, which is a sort of insurance for residents of the city, then I could go see a specialist. I have an appointment tomorrow to get signed up for Healthy San Francisco and as soon as I am accepted I am going to schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist.
I have read numerous posts about both of these issues individually, but not related, so I decided to make this post. I want to think the lumps in my neck are swollen glands, because of an injury to my cartilage that has taken longer than normal to heal, because I haven't been as diligent as I should with not smoking, and eating hard foods, but it seems like more going on here.
I hope I described my symptoms thoroughly, but if any more information is needed please let me know. I appreciate any advice. And if anyone has suggestions for ENT specialists in San Francisco, let me know. Thanks. Oh, and this is my first post! So hello community. Glad you're here.
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I'm a 23 year old female from the UK and (minus the Adams apple!) have exactly the same problem. I've had the clicking in my throat for the last 9-10 months, my glands (which do feel like hard little peas) under my jaw are more often than not swollen and tender, and i find i have trouble swallowing and actually getting food to go down properly most of the time. I have seen numerous doctors and eventually got referred to an ENT specialist, they put a camera down my throat and said that apart from it looking a bit sore there was nothing wrong. I was perscribed some tablets for acid reflux which have done absolutely nothing. I do find that if I smoke it seems to get a hell of a lot worse, and I'm in the process of trying to quit but it's so hard! The clicking in my throat drives me crazy, doctors have put it down to cartilage damage but I do find it a bit odd that that would also cause swollen glands? Sometimes it's so bad it makes my ears hurt and my sinuses are always prone to getting infected. Please post again and let me know if you get any answers. I'm so glad you posted this in the first place, Ive been googling my symptoms for months and months and never get an exact match of what my symptoms are! :)
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I have almost exactly the same issue, could you let me know if you find anything out, or receive a working treatment?
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Hi, I have the same thing going on as you, did your clicking or popping get better or go away, what about your swallowing trouble?
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Hey, I have the same problem. I think it is caused from excess drinking and smoking which is irritating the glands inside the throat and possibly causing mutations (thats my guess away), mine gets worse if I have been drinking or smoking heavy one night and started after I had smoked heavier one year though stressful circumstances. When it is bad I also have the inflamed mouth this again comes and goes. I feel is a sign of what is going on the the throat you cant see. My advice is to stop drinking and smoking - Im finding this hard myself!!!!
Best
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Any updates guys I have the same issue. Have u resolved your issues. Only asking as you lot wrote this a year ago.
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Hey I seen your post and well, I'm 17, healthy, do sports, never drink and never smoke and I have the same thing, all I'm saying is it might not be the smoking and drinking that has caused them
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im 21 year old male and what you just described is EXACTLY what ive been worrying about and going through for about a year now. I as well have always had bad sinuses. I wish I knew what was wrong with us, lol. its all flared up on me right now cuz ive been stretching my neck out by making sure my mouth stays shut and pointing my chin straight up to get as much stretch on my neck as possible. it will pop sometimes but it seems to relive stress or something when I stretch.
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