ESparks
12-29-2000, 04:04 PM
Hi,
I don't know what is wrong with me really so I'm posting this in several sections that I think may be related to my problem! My problem has to do with my throat so it may be any number of things, including lyphoma or throat cancer or thyroid trouble, etc...
This message consists of an initial post and an update a month later, so bear with me!
***************
Nov. 22-
I've been experiencing swelling of the right side of my lower throat (adam's apple and below) along with pain for the better part of 2 months now, along with fatigue and a rapid heartbeat. Not a typical sore throat pain, more like a muscular type ache that was making it very painful to swallow. It doesn't hurt to swallow food or drink, only when clearing my throat and dry swallows.
Within the last few days the pain has settled in a lump (or structure?) about a half an inch directly above the crest of my adam's apple. It no longer hurts to swallow, but the soreness along the right side continues, right down the ligament or whatever the raised ridge is that connects down to the right portion of my collar bone.
Last week I had 3 blood tests done, one for thyroid function, one for white blood cell count, and a general metabolic function.
All came back negative. My doctor doesn't seem overly concerned about any of my symptoms, and has prescribed me amoxycillin.
I thought this was very odd, since according to my blood tests, I don't have an infection.
I'm very concerned... and not very pleased with my doctor's lack of interest.
Could anyone tell me if there is actually some sort of small pea sized structure about 1/2" above the adam's apple? I don't know if I only noticed it was there because it's painful, or if it is a growth of some sort.
thank you
THEN Dec. 29-
The amoxycyllin didn't do anything at all. The small lump is still there but no longer hurts. Since I posted the first part, I've visited an ear nose and throat specialist. He gave me a very quick exam of my throat by poking his fingers in there and using a tiny mirror, and made an initial diagnosis of possible toncillitis in my right tonsil, and dysphagea. (no idea what that is) He prescribed me a much stronger (and much more expensive I might add) antibiotic: clindamycin hcl.
I'm on my last day of that medication now, and it has done absolutely nothing for my throat but has messed up my digestive system though. I'm not supposed to go back to him til the 22nd, but I think I should call him much sooner! He was going to do a "barium swallow" test, but decided against it. Do you think that might be a wise course of action? I'm afraid the longer I go, the more serious this condition could get!
I don't see how it could be toncillitis when I have no pain at all in the upper throat, it's all down below the adams apple... It doesn't really hurt when I swallow much but it does hurt (in the same spots I mentioned before, to the right of the adam's apple and down along the tendon to my collarbone) when I yawn and blow my nose. Also that portion of my throat feels extremely dried out much of the time, even if I am breathing through my nose, which I thought was very odd! Nothing I do seems to make it feel moist, not chewing gum or even drinking quarts of water at a time.
Actually the very first symptoms I had were back in late august and early september, and at that point I thought I had a strained neck because it hurt intensely to move my head to the left, so much so that I couldn't go golfing a few times. That passed slowly then changed to the pain swallowing, then to the kind of persistent pain described above. Also (I think it's) the lymph node on the side of my neck (2-3 inches below my ear) is swollen because I can't even feel the one on the other unaffected side. I also have a throbbing pain in it once in a while but not often. The pain to right of my adams apple is pretty persistent and is almost like a stinging or weird sensation, it's hard to describe because I have never felt anything like it before. It has never hurt to swallow food or drink though, only when I clear my throat and swallow.
I hate to say this but I'm afraid I might have lymphoma or throat cancer or something very serious and I'm afraid I'm being misdiagnosed seriously!!
I'm pretty scared at this point and not sure what to do! Especially since I have no medical insurance and I'm paying out of pocket for all this...
Any thoughts???
I'm open to any and all suggestions!
thanks,
E
I don't know what is wrong with me really so I'm posting this in several sections that I think may be related to my problem! My problem has to do with my throat so it may be any number of things, including lyphoma or throat cancer or thyroid trouble, etc...
This message consists of an initial post and an update a month later, so bear with me!
***************
Nov. 22-
I've been experiencing swelling of the right side of my lower throat (adam's apple and below) along with pain for the better part of 2 months now, along with fatigue and a rapid heartbeat. Not a typical sore throat pain, more like a muscular type ache that was making it very painful to swallow. It doesn't hurt to swallow food or drink, only when clearing my throat and dry swallows.
Within the last few days the pain has settled in a lump (or structure?) about a half an inch directly above the crest of my adam's apple. It no longer hurts to swallow, but the soreness along the right side continues, right down the ligament or whatever the raised ridge is that connects down to the right portion of my collar bone.
Last week I had 3 blood tests done, one for thyroid function, one for white blood cell count, and a general metabolic function.
All came back negative. My doctor doesn't seem overly concerned about any of my symptoms, and has prescribed me amoxycillin.
I thought this was very odd, since according to my blood tests, I don't have an infection.
I'm very concerned... and not very pleased with my doctor's lack of interest.
Could anyone tell me if there is actually some sort of small pea sized structure about 1/2" above the adam's apple? I don't know if I only noticed it was there because it's painful, or if it is a growth of some sort.
thank you
THEN Dec. 29-
The amoxycyllin didn't do anything at all. The small lump is still there but no longer hurts. Since I posted the first part, I've visited an ear nose and throat specialist. He gave me a very quick exam of my throat by poking his fingers in there and using a tiny mirror, and made an initial diagnosis of possible toncillitis in my right tonsil, and dysphagea. (no idea what that is) He prescribed me a much stronger (and much more expensive I might add) antibiotic: clindamycin hcl.
I'm on my last day of that medication now, and it has done absolutely nothing for my throat but has messed up my digestive system though. I'm not supposed to go back to him til the 22nd, but I think I should call him much sooner! He was going to do a "barium swallow" test, but decided against it. Do you think that might be a wise course of action? I'm afraid the longer I go, the more serious this condition could get!
I don't see how it could be toncillitis when I have no pain at all in the upper throat, it's all down below the adams apple... It doesn't really hurt when I swallow much but it does hurt (in the same spots I mentioned before, to the right of the adam's apple and down along the tendon to my collarbone) when I yawn and blow my nose. Also that portion of my throat feels extremely dried out much of the time, even if I am breathing through my nose, which I thought was very odd! Nothing I do seems to make it feel moist, not chewing gum or even drinking quarts of water at a time.
Actually the very first symptoms I had were back in late august and early september, and at that point I thought I had a strained neck because it hurt intensely to move my head to the left, so much so that I couldn't go golfing a few times. That passed slowly then changed to the pain swallowing, then to the kind of persistent pain described above. Also (I think it's) the lymph node on the side of my neck (2-3 inches below my ear) is swollen because I can't even feel the one on the other unaffected side. I also have a throbbing pain in it once in a while but not often. The pain to right of my adams apple is pretty persistent and is almost like a stinging or weird sensation, it's hard to describe because I have never felt anything like it before. It has never hurt to swallow food or drink though, only when I clear my throat and swallow.
I hate to say this but I'm afraid I might have lymphoma or throat cancer or something very serious and I'm afraid I'm being misdiagnosed seriously!!
I'm pretty scared at this point and not sure what to do! Especially since I have no medical insurance and I'm paying out of pocket for all this...
Any thoughts???
I'm open to any and all suggestions!
thanks,
E
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ESparks
12-29-2000, 04:17 PM
I just wanted to thank anyone in advance for any info they can give me, I really appreciate it!!!
-E
-E
lacal
12-31-2000, 12:23 PM
Hi ESparks
I would not worry myself to death over your ailment. I had a similar incident a few years ago. I went through exactly what you are including my doctor's lack of concern. This is a doctor I have been with for twenty-five years. It turned out he was right. I had the sore throat for a little over two months and then one day it was gone. I remember worrying about what it could be just as you are doing.
Relax and trust the doctor and I think you will be fine.
Lacal
I would not worry myself to death over your ailment. I had a similar incident a few years ago. I went through exactly what you are including my doctor's lack of concern. This is a doctor I have been with for twenty-five years. It turned out he was right. I had the sore throat for a little over two months and then one day it was gone. I remember worrying about what it could be just as you are doing.
Relax and trust the doctor and I think you will be fine.
Lacal
ESparks
12-31-2000, 02:57 PM
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement lacal!
A little positive reinforcement can go a long way, and reading your reply is definitely encouraging...
My doctor too, was the same one I've had since I was an infant and has treated me for everything that has ever been wrong with me... Only when I kept complaining did he send me to the Ear Nose and Throat specialist. I know stress can also be a contributing factor as well so I will try to relax. It's just that I'm reminded of the problem every time I clear my throat and swallow, so it's tough to forget about it, even for a short while...
Thank you again!
:-)
ESparks
(also in MA.)
A little positive reinforcement can go a long way, and reading your reply is definitely encouraging...
My doctor too, was the same one I've had since I was an infant and has treated me for everything that has ever been wrong with me... Only when I kept complaining did he send me to the Ear Nose and Throat specialist. I know stress can also be a contributing factor as well so I will try to relax. It's just that I'm reminded of the problem every time I clear my throat and swallow, so it's tough to forget about it, even for a short while...
Thank you again!
:-)
ESparks
(also in MA.)
janel
01-03-2001, 07:52 AM
I would go see a reputable gastroenterologist for and endoscopy if you continue to have problems after the antibiotics. Don't ignore it if it doesn't go away. My Dad had problems for a long time and ended up with an adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. He did not last a year.
Taffydd
01-14-2001, 11:09 PM
I would go to another Dr. even with no insurance. I had a Dr. misdiagnosis a lump that turned out to be cancer. It didn't occur to me he might be wrong. I had been goig to him for years. With no outwardly systems, eight months later another Dr. discovered I had cancer in my abdomen, which he removed. 2 years later it spread to my brain. Your problem might be an irratating sore throat. But your piece of mind and your health is worth another look.
kallai
02-12-2001, 06:32 PM
HI.. you had posted a reply on my post on thyroid cancer. if you are still unsure what is going on, you might want to talk to an endocrinologist. in the early summer of '99 i found a lump on my neck. When i looked up my neck had a huge lump. I was 17 then and was still seeing my general doc. She thougth nothing of it but knew i was worried so she sent me to an endocrinologist. From there, i had blood tests, an ultrasound on my thyroid, other scans on my neck, and finally a Fine Needle Biopsy. It was that simple test that i found out i had thyroid cancer. So i had my thyroid taken out and went through a radioactive iodine treatment. Thyroid cancer can be in different stages or forms. Most are completely curable. You might just have a goiter or something that might need to be taken out. But i Would definitely not rule my situation out, even though it is pretty rare especially in younger people.
[Removed]Hope i helped a little.
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[Removed]Hope i helped a little.
Please review the Posting Rules / FAQ. Posting offline contact information is not permitted.
ESparks
02-12-2001, 07:51 PM
Hi thanks for the replies everyone.
I've had a couple more tests since my last posting... first a laryngoscopy which showed some swelling but nothing else out of the ordinary. Then I had a barium swallow test which also came up negative for problems. This would lead me to believe that there isn't any problem inside my throat passageways. I initially had a thyroid function blood test which was negative. The doctor recently said that the small lump which gets bigger, smaller, harder, and softer could be an oddly placed lymph node or even a thyroid duct blockage cyst. (I think that's what he called it) He said if it gets larger he will remove it. It's not the main focus of my or his concern now though.
Next up in my battery of tests is a cat scan and normal X-ray of the neck.
The problem mainly now is what feels like the right side of my thyroid, it hurts when I swallow and occasionally when I say certain words or make certain sounds. It doesn't seem to be a lump though...
When it is hurting, if I press my fingers against the right side of my throat, just to the right of my adam's apple, I can feel the side of what I think is my thyroid cartilage and it is very hard and kind of rounded. When my throat doesn't hurt I have a hard time feeling it at all with my fingers, so it's like it's swelling up whenever it hurts. I have no idea what could be causing such a thing or if this is a symptom of any known problem.
This pain has been with me for 5 months plus now, and it comes and goes but normally hurts when I wake up in the morning, then kind of lessens early in the day and comes back again and gets worse by late afternoon/evening. I'm so sick of being in pain every single day without anyone being able to give me a diagnosis!
As far as treatment, I've had 3 different antibiotics thus far and also an antifungal prescription but none has done anything.
I take Motrin which is supposed to reduce the swelling and relieve the pain, but it only works maybe 1/3 of the time.
Today my physician's assistant also prescribed me Zantac. She said there's an outside chance that it may be acid reflux and could be irritating my throat?? I never feel anything resembling heartburn though, so I don't know.
If anyone has any other ideas or anything at all which may be useful, please feel free to post it!
Thanks again!
Earl
I've had a couple more tests since my last posting... first a laryngoscopy which showed some swelling but nothing else out of the ordinary. Then I had a barium swallow test which also came up negative for problems. This would lead me to believe that there isn't any problem inside my throat passageways. I initially had a thyroid function blood test which was negative. The doctor recently said that the small lump which gets bigger, smaller, harder, and softer could be an oddly placed lymph node or even a thyroid duct blockage cyst. (I think that's what he called it) He said if it gets larger he will remove it. It's not the main focus of my or his concern now though.
Next up in my battery of tests is a cat scan and normal X-ray of the neck.
The problem mainly now is what feels like the right side of my thyroid, it hurts when I swallow and occasionally when I say certain words or make certain sounds. It doesn't seem to be a lump though...
When it is hurting, if I press my fingers against the right side of my throat, just to the right of my adam's apple, I can feel the side of what I think is my thyroid cartilage and it is very hard and kind of rounded. When my throat doesn't hurt I have a hard time feeling it at all with my fingers, so it's like it's swelling up whenever it hurts. I have no idea what could be causing such a thing or if this is a symptom of any known problem.
This pain has been with me for 5 months plus now, and it comes and goes but normally hurts when I wake up in the morning, then kind of lessens early in the day and comes back again and gets worse by late afternoon/evening. I'm so sick of being in pain every single day without anyone being able to give me a diagnosis!
As far as treatment, I've had 3 different antibiotics thus far and also an antifungal prescription but none has done anything.
I take Motrin which is supposed to reduce the swelling and relieve the pain, but it only works maybe 1/3 of the time.
Today my physician's assistant also prescribed me Zantac. She said there's an outside chance that it may be acid reflux and could be irritating my throat?? I never feel anything resembling heartburn though, so I don't know.
If anyone has any other ideas or anything at all which may be useful, please feel free to post it!
Thanks again!
Earl
ermc
04-15-2006, 05:51 AM
I have the same exact issue. For a little over a year I have had a weird sensation in my lower right throat, feels like my adams apple is sideways at times. The pain is worse when I first wake up in the morning, seems to go away during mid day only to come back strong during the evening. When I swallow sometimes there will be a crunching sensation in my throat or a feeling that something is rubbing. Other times the pain is a constant stinging pain. It is impossible to relax with these pains and at times I am woken up from sleep. I have noticed a few other issues to go along with the pain. For one, my ear will become sore, my right jaws will now grind and crunch when I move it. If I take a hold of my adams apple I can move it around and get a popping or crunching (grosses me out more that you I am sure...) my left hip is also in constant pain. I don't think the problem is TMJ though because the pain and crunching is definitely coming from my adams apple.
I am 24 years old with a history of previous medical problems such as gallstones and having my gall bladder removed. I am 6' 180 lbs and in decent health otherwise I think. I have had my blood tested for arthritus and thyroid problems those came back fine. I had my hip x-rayed and was told that was also fine. Antacids seem to have no effect. I am meant to see an ENT but I can't find any that accept my medical insurance so I am not sure what to do. I am pretty worried about this most of the time.
I am 24 years old with a history of previous medical problems such as gallstones and having my gall bladder removed. I am 6' 180 lbs and in decent health otherwise I think. I have had my blood tested for arthritus and thyroid problems those came back fine. I had my hip x-rayed and was told that was also fine. Antacids seem to have no effect. I am meant to see an ENT but I can't find any that accept my medical insurance so I am not sure what to do. I am pretty worried about this most of the time.
rodneymharper
05-30-2006, 10:50 PM
Better take a close look at your thyroid... Mine acted up from time to time. I had no idea that was were it was located. I thought it was in yoiur chest .
Anyway , I was taking some lipo-flavonoid(for my ringing in the ear) and after a few days my adams apple hurt. This after noon I was eating some hot chinese which I think made it swell and during a swallow I heard a loud crack. now it is sore to even swallow. :( :( I should have researched the lipo-flavonoid first. It seems to be all over the place with sore throat symptoms and has a bad ratiing. Just assumed the comercial on TV from walgreens meant it was safe. STUPID ME.
So if you figured it out please let me know!!
Thank you
Anyway , I was taking some lipo-flavonoid(for my ringing in the ear) and after a few days my adams apple hurt. This after noon I was eating some hot chinese which I think made it swell and during a swallow I heard a loud crack. now it is sore to even swallow. :( :( I should have researched the lipo-flavonoid first. It seems to be all over the place with sore throat symptoms and has a bad ratiing. Just assumed the comercial on TV from walgreens meant it was safe. STUPID ME.
So if you figured it out please let me know!!
Thank you
Dan's Mom
07-15-2006, 10:02 AM
ERMC,
Understand before you read this that I have lost a son to leukemia so i read into things, and I have been known to be right sometimes. Anway, the hip pain.. have they done blood tests for any type of cancer? Many times people will have referred pain in the hip or shoulder and it is often misdiagnosed as being a problem with the hip or shoulder, as with my son. My friends son had hip pain. Of course it could be something very simple but I would ask to be checked just in case.
Understand before you read this that I have lost a son to leukemia so i read into things, and I have been known to be right sometimes. Anway, the hip pain.. have they done blood tests for any type of cancer? Many times people will have referred pain in the hip or shoulder and it is often misdiagnosed as being a problem with the hip or shoulder, as with my son. My friends son had hip pain. Of course it could be something very simple but I would ask to be checked just in case.
rodneymharper
07-16-2006, 11:53 AM
Just an update, went to Doc , he of courrse wanted to send me to an eye ear and throat Doc. They had scheduled me for a WEEK!! Later!!!!All my doctor did was tell me I had acid reflux(no test done) then preprescribed me some heaertburn meds. Ok now I was freaking out becasue weekend was comming and I did nt want to have to worry about emergency room. Mean while a friend of mine told me about himalayan goji juice and gave me a bottle. I was better in just a few days and NEVER had the prescription filled.
I am so dissapointed in my Doctor. He has been the family Doc for 20 years.
Crazy , 2 -3 days of Himalayan Goji and poof its gone. I can't belive he didnt even test me for strep. Either way all is well , I hope it works out for you as well.
I am so dissapointed in my Doctor. He has been the family Doc for 20 years.
Crazy , 2 -3 days of Himalayan Goji and poof its gone. I can't belive he didnt even test me for strep. Either way all is well , I hope it works out for you as well.
MattK
10-07-2006, 04:11 AM
Hey,
I have had nearly all of the symptoms described here. The neck pain/soarness, difficulty swallowing, etc. I went to doctors and they all told me it was nothing, probably just stress. I have always thought they were just being lazy but time and time again I would here the same thing but no one seemed to know how to fix it.
It started back in 1999 - I got in a fight and possibly got hit in the neck although I don't recall a shot to the neck. Anyway I felt fine afterwards but the next day I had all of the syptoms described. The first day was horrible but then it eased up. Shortly after I made my first trip to the doctor and was told it was nothing.
Anyway to this day i still have these symptoms, some days are worse then others. So I have two questions:
1. If this was in fact cancer I would surely be dead by now - or at least sick, right?
2. Does anybody know how to get rid of the symptoms?
Thanks,
Matt
I have had nearly all of the symptoms described here. The neck pain/soarness, difficulty swallowing, etc. I went to doctors and they all told me it was nothing, probably just stress. I have always thought they were just being lazy but time and time again I would here the same thing but no one seemed to know how to fix it.
It started back in 1999 - I got in a fight and possibly got hit in the neck although I don't recall a shot to the neck. Anyway I felt fine afterwards but the next day I had all of the syptoms described. The first day was horrible but then it eased up. Shortly after I made my first trip to the doctor and was told it was nothing.
Anyway to this day i still have these symptoms, some days are worse then others. So I have two questions:
1. If this was in fact cancer I would surely be dead by now - or at least sick, right?
2. Does anybody know how to get rid of the symptoms?
Thanks,
Matt
johngee007
10-03-2007, 06:49 AM
I would just like to add my story to this thread.
I have EXACTLY what is described on these pages and it seems to have stemmed from an accident i had a few years ago. And yes, unfortunately i was drunk at a wedding at the time. I fell backwards, when someone took a running jump at me during an old school rock and rool moment and i landed, basically on the back of my head. Being drunk i did not think much about it at the time but the next day i could barely move my head to the left and it hurt like hell when i swallowed.
Anyway, i did not go to the doctor and slowly the pain subsided and pretty much went untill earlier on this year. I'll describe how it feels to me. Sometimes it feels like its in my left ear, or just below my ear around the left occiput region (the ridge of skull that you can follow from the ear to the top of the spine). But around this area it is more of a dull ache. The main focus of the pain appears to be above and left of my adams apple and like other people have described, when i move my adam's apple about in my neck it can click and grind quite badly. It also hurts when i swallow but is not as bad when i'm eating or drinking. I can also feel it down the STM muscle that connects the occiput region to the collar bone.
I have to say that it is with some relief that i have found other people suffering with whatever this condition is. It seems obvious that is has been caused by some kind of trauma. It may be some kind of whiplash. I have to say that my neck gereraly clicks and grinds a lot since the accident. So i am in no doubt as to the cause. I have seen an osteopath a few time in the past but haven't been recently so i am making this a first port of call.
Anyway, i'll keep this going utill i resolve it.
And i do have to say that your experiences with the doctors sound awful. All of you have worried a lot over this, as have i. They call it a stress reaction but they do nothing to relieve that stress by telling you there is nothing wrong!! That's hard to come to terms with when it hurts every time you swallow!
I have EXACTLY what is described on these pages and it seems to have stemmed from an accident i had a few years ago. And yes, unfortunately i was drunk at a wedding at the time. I fell backwards, when someone took a running jump at me during an old school rock and rool moment and i landed, basically on the back of my head. Being drunk i did not think much about it at the time but the next day i could barely move my head to the left and it hurt like hell when i swallowed.
Anyway, i did not go to the doctor and slowly the pain subsided and pretty much went untill earlier on this year. I'll describe how it feels to me. Sometimes it feels like its in my left ear, or just below my ear around the left occiput region (the ridge of skull that you can follow from the ear to the top of the spine). But around this area it is more of a dull ache. The main focus of the pain appears to be above and left of my adams apple and like other people have described, when i move my adam's apple about in my neck it can click and grind quite badly. It also hurts when i swallow but is not as bad when i'm eating or drinking. I can also feel it down the STM muscle that connects the occiput region to the collar bone.
I have to say that it is with some relief that i have found other people suffering with whatever this condition is. It seems obvious that is has been caused by some kind of trauma. It may be some kind of whiplash. I have to say that my neck gereraly clicks and grinds a lot since the accident. So i am in no doubt as to the cause. I have seen an osteopath a few time in the past but haven't been recently so i am making this a first port of call.
Anyway, i'll keep this going utill i resolve it.
And i do have to say that your experiences with the doctors sound awful. All of you have worried a lot over this, as have i. They call it a stress reaction but they do nothing to relieve that stress by telling you there is nothing wrong!! That's hard to come to terms with when it hurts every time you swallow!
xerp56
10-04-2007, 05:35 PM
hey
have you had a CT scan? Head, neck and throat injuries are no joke. As a rule I hate doctors and hospitals, but now that i suffer from cancer, i see them as a necessary evil. I think I stay alive just to spite the MDs ha ha!
All joking aside, the only way to know what is wrong with you is to take a peek inside of you. It may save your life. You sound like a fellow rocker, and you seem intelligent.
So just get checked!
Good luck!!!!!!!!
have you had a CT scan? Head, neck and throat injuries are no joke. As a rule I hate doctors and hospitals, but now that i suffer from cancer, i see them as a necessary evil. I think I stay alive just to spite the MDs ha ha!
All joking aside, the only way to know what is wrong with you is to take a peek inside of you. It may save your life. You sound like a fellow rocker, and you seem intelligent.
So just get checked!
Good luck!!!!!!!!
jsimotas
11-20-2007, 05:57 AM
esparks - did you ever figure out what it was? i have something similar and have no clue.