Some of you sound like Eagle Syndrome. RARE. I have it, though- and I'm your average person. Eagle Syndrome is a pointy bone in your skull that extends down further than normal. It's sort of like a fang that passes waaay back behind your tonsil area and down near the ear and inbetween the jawline and neck (but way inside). It can rub on a nerve, cut off blood drainage from your head/neck/face (my jugular shows it is blocked in some MRIs, and not in others-we think this is why my neck/face feels full of blood, esp laying flat), and cause pain in shoulder/back/throat, and ear problems like ringing, whooshing, vertigo. It can be all of these or none. I have no pain but most others have severe pain. It is famous for causing a feeling like something is poking you in the back of the throat (I didn't feel this, though).
If that's your problem, basically surgery is done and it snaps those long fang-like bones right off.
First, a lot of docs last heard of this way back in med school. Too common to hear of people getting run around from doc to doc. See an ENT...and before you see the ENT, try to google your area plus ENT plus Eagle syndrome. It's one of those really specialized things, but your ENT and even a dentist is most likely to be receptive to looking for it or knowing what it is right off the bat. Go to an Eagle support forum board and ask for a doc in your area from those people.
The bone (styloid process) is hard to see on X-rays, MRIs and CTs. CT scan should pick it up, and most ENTs do these anyway. Again... the bone is very faint and mixes in with all the little details in the jaw.
Otherwise, some people mentioned Arnold Chiari and intracranial hypertension (pseuotumor cerebri). Check those out, too. I hope this helps-- nothing like a thread miles long with everyone looking for an answer.
It is amazing how close our symptoms are. My story is that ever since my mid-twenties, I'm 60 now, I have had an enlarged left-sided thyroid. No pain, although it did displace my adam's apple slightly to the right, and since I was a smoker at the time, I was always concerned I had throat cancer. After some repeated complaints and imaging using radioactive iodine, it was determined that my thyroid was just a bit enlarged, but all was fine. A few years ago I started feeling a very occasional and mild throbbing in the same area; my left anterior neck. As I said, it was only occasional and it was mild... never gave it much attention, since the episodes would only last a day or two then I wouldn't experience it again for several months, if not longer. My last episode was about 6 months ago, and lasted a bit longer. The throbbing pain was more intense, and this time I felt a related pain, which radiated into my left forehead. Again, not too intense, although this episode lasted probably about 6-8 days. By the time I got to the doctor the symptoms were gone. This time I am on day 8 and the throbbing pain is quite bad. I am not one to exaggerate, but I would rate the pain at a 9.5/10. It feels like my thyroid is pumping (throbbing). The waves of throbbing neck pain occurs frequently throughout the day, but what is very bizarre, and frightening, is that at night, while recumbent, the excruciating throbbing pain occurs in my left forehead. This pain also comes in waves of increased throbbing to the severe pain, which all lasts a total of about 20 seconds. What's even more scary for me is the pain I get from coughing or bearing-down; at night typically in my head, and in my neck during the day. I have always put off going to the doctor about this, since I have had it before and it was always very mild. However, that is clearly not the case here. I went to urgent care two days ago. Not surprising, they didn't find anything, and the blood test reportedly has come back "normal". I am going for a follow up visit with my primary now to see what course of action should be taken. Since I am thinking the worse, it is good to find this thread to hear that I am not alone and that I may continue to live.
I need a bit of help, I am 13 years old, and when I put my hand up to my left side of the throat, I feel like it's thudding, but it doesn't hurt whatsoever! Heart palpitations? Anything I need to worry about???
Any updates? I have recently developed the same symptoms.....15-20 secs of throbbing mid- left side of neck, worse in the evenings, worse laying down. Some headaches in the morning, and I'm not prone to headaches. Thyroid fine, no current cold or flu; had 2 brief bouts of heartburn the week before the throbbing began. I run 35-45 miles/week, and very recent cholesterol/blood tests are fine. I've been to the Dr., now on anti-biotic as the go-to-I-don't know-what-you've-got drug.
Any updates? I have recently developed the same symptoms.....15-20 secs of throbbing mid- left side of neck, worse in the evenings, worse laying down. Some headaches in the morning, and I'm not prone to headaches. Very recent thyroid test - fine, no current cold or flu; had 2 brief bouts of heartburn the week before the throbbing began. I run 35-45 miles/week, and very recent cholesterol/blood tests are fine. I've had some intestinal issues on/off for the past few weeks, but I often have that if I've run hard - not sure if it's connected. I've been to the Dr., now on some antibiotic as the go-to, I-don't know-what-you've-got drug. I guess CT scan would be next.....I hate doctors.....anyone have any recent insights?
A friend has this, took a while for docs to figure out but they have a cyst on the brain
I frequently have very painful, pulsing on the left side of my neck accompanied by pain in my ear sometimes, and usually with pain near my temple. Sometimes it feels like a vein is going to burst out of my neck. This is a recent development.
This happens to me when my blood sugar drops too much. Since I've been working out heavily, it happens more often. I went to the Dr., and he said I'm hypoglycemic. Sometimes the symptoms go away after a glucose tablet and about 15 minutes, sometimes it just takes longer. The Dr. said I should try and eat more calories, and eat more often. I definitely do better when that's the case. Prevention is easier than making it go away once it starts.
Also, it could be thryroid. My Dr. told me that problems with your thyroid can make anxiety worse too...ask your doc.