Swallowing pain for few months now.

[gf72]

I have had a swallowing pain for the last few months and there is also a small lump on the front of my neck just under the skin.  the lump has been there for several months and the ENT i saw said it was probably just a lymph node.  I had a CT scan done with contrast and it didn't show anything.  I don't have any difficulty swallowing and actually don't have any pain when swallowing food its usually when i swallow with a dry mouth or just swallowing saliva.  its a sharp pain on the right side of my throat that i feel.  My ENT said to just give it some time and I have but is has not got any better.  Somedays it hurts a little even without swallowing other days i barely notice it.  I will gladly give anymore needed info.  the pain doesn't actually appear to be in my throat because like i said it doesn't hurt to swallow any type of food.  Should i see another ENT?  There are so many to choose from I'm not sure what criteria I should look for or just pick one at random

Thanks

[cinolas]

Wow, this is pretty much exactly the same thing I have, whatever it is:

Mild pain in the throat area. Pain when swallowing saliva (not food or liquids). E.t.c.

Except that I do not have a lump under my skin and that it's been going on for about 5 years now, intermittently and at different levels of intensity.

The pain seems to change side from time to time which is weird.

I am having a lot of pain these days which pushed me to look into it yet again.

I have seen an ENT twice in the first few years who looked down my throat with a nose camera and reported nothing at all.

If you ever get a diagnosis please let me know as it may lead me to a diagnosis of my own.

Cheers

[jk29]

I too have the same symptoms.  A sharp pain in the front of my neck/throat, but no apparent lumps.  I only notice the pain when I swallow hard or sneeze.  Some days it is worse than others. Some days I have no pain at all.  I'm not sure what triggers it but it seems to get worse after I've drank alcohol.  But there are also times that I haven't had any alcohol and it still comes back.
I have been to an ENT three times now for this and he cannot find any thing.  He has treated me for acid reflux (his first diagnosis) with no success. He has put a little scope down my throat and saw nothing.  Then I was sent for a CAT Scan with contrast and also nothing came up. Nothing abnormal appears in the throat or frontal neck area.  It's frustrating because I know I'm not imagining the pain.  I just kind of learned to live with it.  I've had it for over a year now, and it hasn't really gotten worse.  So I figure that if it was something really serious like cancer then I would probably be pretty sick by now or notice some other symptoms.  
If anyone ever does find out what the real cause of their pain is please post and let us know.

[absure69]

Is have a similar situation - pain when swallowing saliva, but no other symptoms.  Anyone rec'd a diagnosis of what causes this situation?

[gibbergirl]

I have been experiencing the same type of intermittant pain on the right side of my neck/jaw/under ear area. There is a little lump by my larynx that does not hurt. It hurts when I swallow and when I blow my nose. It feels as if I have an ear infection. An oncologist said it was not lymphoma or thyroid or throat cancer (upon examination and interview). My ENT looked down my throat, into my ears, up my nose and felt around the whole area, including inside the back of the mouth. After a lot of prodding, he found some points of intense pain on the inside of my mouth just under the ears. He says that I have inflamed jaw and neck muscles that are pinching a nerve and that days I chew something very chewy probably cause more pain the next day. He told me to take NSAIDs for a month, go see the dentist to get a custom mouthguard fitted or buy one from the drug store, and eat soft, mushy food for a month to calm down the muscles. I'm going to give it a try.

[gibbergirl]

I forgot to mention that my ENT said my jaw and neck muscles were inflamed due to possible teeth clenching or grinding at night.

[barbados]

I have the same thing- a pain right under my jaw on the right side of my neck.  It hurts to the touch, and to swallow- but only when I turn  my head.  No other lumps, symptoms or anything.  Went to see my doctor about it and he thinks it is a pulled muscle on the front of my neck- since this first appeared in the morning I now wonder whether I aggravated in while sleeping (like gibbergirl says).  It's a frustrating pain but it seems like it is nothing to worry about...?  

[ganymede808]

Im having the same issues with my throat, pain on right side, hurts to swallow, saliva, Im good as long as im eating or drinking something.  Doc told me to suck it up and take throat lozenges, mildly helped, I have no coughing or sneezing, and no sinus issues. feels better when i drink warm water with lemon and honey, i workout alot but, this is really weird to all of sudden get throat pain after years of hanging out in the gym, i felt around and there is a small lump right beside my lymph node. if anyone gets word of a possible solution PLEASE let me know, this is becoming a ridiculous annoyance.

[guest2289]

I'm a 19 year old male. I'm hoping that you guys can help me. Please. I recently (about 4 months ago maybe a little longer) got a lymph node biopsy, because I have several swollen lymph nodes around my neck area. Two on my bottom left side,  one on my right side, and another underneath my jaw. The one on my right side is now gone due to the biopsy. The problem I have now is that for the past month or two I've been getting sore throats, but it wasn't until 6 days ago that my situation worsened.  Now it hurts to swallow, eat, and drink. Also i've been coughing so much I cant even sleep right at night. as a matter of fact it is now 2:30 a.m and I have to be up by 7:00. Could I still have cancer even though my lymph node biopsy was negative? What should I do in this situation. Please help me out. I'm going crazy with this. Thank you! I smoke from time to time. and I am also coughing a lot.

[guest2289]

I went to the doctors the other day, and they didn't seem to find anything wrong with me. I wanted to let everyone else know that only 25% of what you read on the internet concerning medical problems is true. Therefore 75% is completely wrong! Do not be as scared as I was, because most likely, you dont have cancer or anything serious. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't go to the doctor and make sure. Always take your health serious and do what ever you can to stay healthy. As far as my personal situation, my sore throat has improved dramatically. Although it still hurts somewhat, It doesn't hurt like it did a few days ago. Also the doctor said it could be some type of allergy. Even if i wasn't sneezing, or had a stuffy nose. Some people only cough and/or get a sore throat as their symptoms. she gave me some Allegra pills for it. I will keep you posted on anything else. Good Luck and God bless!

[Burleigh_Breezer]

The condition of painful swallowing is caused by an initial viral infection in the tonsils, a course of amoxicillin 500mg will clear the infection however, the virus that started it will remain probably for no longer than two weeks.
In springtime, the condition can also be exacerbated by rhinitis and tree/hay pollen spores.
For the painful swallowing Difflam spray (bezydamine hydrochloride) will ease the symptoms whilst making sure you have a multi-vitamins boost during a Flu/Virus epidemic will ensure a reoccurance of this complaint does not repeat itself.
Make sure your diet is made up of red meat also for extra guard of your immune system.

[mac1967]

In reading all the entries above, I believe I have similar issues.  About 1 1/2 years ago, I was eating breakfast and had a sharp pain in my throat like I had just pulled a muscle.  It hurt like hell to swallow.  1 1/2 years later, the pain (although not as sharp) is still there - comes and goes but is mostly there.  I too went to an ENT, he did the scope and gave me a prescription for an antacid. Did not help.  It feels more muscular but I cannot get rid of it.  Someone help me please understand what this is!

[miamerz]

I also have had many of the same symptoms. Sometime in January or February, I noticed a small lump right next to my throat. I could push it down and it'd feel like i was "popping" it in and out. A small time later, I noticed that I'd feel my blood pressure and heart rate rise, usually around 8 or 9pm. I also occasionally have trouble swallowing and feel as if food is stuck in the back of my throat.
And just now, I started feeling this intense pain, as if theres a lump at the top of my esophagus towards the right, then the pain radiates into my right ear (which is the whole reason i started looking on the net just now for answers). It comes and goes intermittently.
In the past, I've tried looking for answers, and came across a possible cause for the trouble swallowing & the feeling of a lump in my throat: panic attacks/anxiety.
It's amazing what the mind can make the body do, and it wouldnt surprise me if this was the cause for most of us lol. After looking into it, I found that panic attacks are triggered by smoking and drinking (even though I find that a glass of wine calms me down and relieves the symptoms) and also smoking marijuana.
Try googling panic attacks or look at WebMD for more info if you suspect that this might be the cause. Of course, best bet is to talk to your doc about it.
Anyway, I quit weed to see if it helped with the symptoms (noticed a slight increase in anxiety, didnt really help) and i've been cutting back on smoking, but both havent really solved the problem. I have a feeling that it is just anxiety/stress but im not sure from what. But tea & a glass of wine helps calm me down at the end of the day, and i've found that this has worked best.
Regarding the sudden intense pain and radiation in my throat--starting to freak me out a bit. Going to the doc later this week, I'll keep you all updated.

[MEG6230]

Burleigh_Breezer
I read your psot about a viral infection in your throat being cleared up my amoxicillian.  Well, viruses are not helped by antibiotics.  They only work on bacterial infections and when used incorrectly, actually cause the body more harm by killing off good bacteria and preventing your own immune system from kicking in and doing its job.  In my opinion, doctors prescribe antibiotics way too much, for fear of lawsuits.  

[blackjack228]

hey guys,
I thought I'm the only one with these symptoms .... in my case I have heart burn ,,, may be it's acid reflux ... doc strongly suggested to quit smoking ... I am not going to smoke for a week and update you guys ...


peace

[Nandu_Vizag]

Hai everyone,

I justposted my problem. My problem is same as all of you.
Thank God! this is not a serious problem as none of you have reported so. Kindly update your symptoms

[OuchStomach]

I jsut posted my question.  Seems very similar to folks here.  Pain, mostly on the right side of throat near adams apple.  Swollen glands, popping when I dry swallow.  The one thing I have that I dont see much here is a tingling sensation in my tongue, that when I look at it seems completely normal.

[Bobcatshl]

I have similar issues but my pain is coming from an injury that occur while i was at a padre game. long story short i was wrongfully choked out and tased by the san diego cops at petco park for drinking beer. the police officers applied a forearm choke hold on me and i know he had no idea how to apply one and on top of that his partner tased me 15 times. in the shoulder the lower back and the upper back. the next couple of days my whole neck was swollen. i didnt think anything of it. days later i notice when i swallowed I had crazy pain on my right side of my throat. i waited until it hit 3 weeks and then i would go to the doctor. my EMT said i most likely have a streached tendon in my neck. he said if i were to get a cat scan the scan would not show up any soft tisse.
he gave me steriods for my neck and said it should go away in two weeks of seeing him. which would be 5 weeks from my incident. im on 4 and half weeks now and the pain has only gotten worse and not better. ive been researching if i shoud get an neck MRI since that might show soft tisse. and they usually inject dye to show a better image.

[aaaddd]

These  are exactly symptoms that I have and my back of throat/jaw/neck problem when saliva goes down. Anyone found any thing yet? my ENT says it is just muscles, but I am going to get MRI of my neck. It is been 2 months now. Please help if you found out anything.

[champ16]

Don't be worried.  I went though all of the tests you can imagine, and it was finally determined that I just had post nasal drip and it had irritated the back of my throat when I tried to swallow.  I asked about the bump on the right side of my neck (many have this), and they did an ultrasound and determined it was my Hyoid.  It is shaped like a trumphet and you can move it back and forth (kind of pops when you do).  The reason it feels like a bumb on the right side is that there is a large number of people that have a larger Hyoid on the right side than the left.  Its one continuous piece of cartilage, or bone, but it is more prominant on the right side than the left.  If, though, you have swollen lymph nodes, it is always a good idea to see a doctor.  Otherwise, based on what I went through, I wouldn't worry.

[anthony3470]

Hello all ...I believe i have some similar symptoms. I woke up about 6 days ago with a pain on the rights side of my throat that slightly radiates up towards my ear.  This only occurs when i move my head a certain way or if I push my chin down to my chest.  Also, when i swallow i feel it sometimes but not always.   It seems to come and go, but there most of the time.  I don't have any apparent lumps.  It started when i woke up in the afternoon after I had been out until about 5am at a party.  

Prior to this about 5 years ago i had a lump sensation in my throat accompanied by pain.  Went to alot of doctors, been scoped by at least 4 diffent ENT's, 2 ct scans in 05 and 06, Barium Swallow and had 2 biopsies for growths in my mouth.  Nothing ever found.  

Know this started and I don't know were to go with it.

Any suggestions?  
  

[dadzee1964]

Reading all cases, it seems there's a common thread throughout. Not all have the same symptoms together, but these are mine and seem to be shared by a fair number of you:

1) Pain / burning throat on one side (right-hand, my case);
2) Pain primarily there all the time, but eating tends to "scratch" or irritate back of throat, RHS, and sometimes while drinking;
3) Tongue sometimes moves over sensitive areas in back of throat, causing discomfort;
4) Fullness of throat (feeling inflamed);
5) Itching / pain radiating from area of base of jaw up through ear canal.
6) No issue with stomach acid or regurgitation;
7) Some days (much) worse than others. No day pain free;
8) Cannot identify a single causal event. Except, touching back of throat with Q-tip seems to generate a feeling of pain;

I've had these symptoms for last three years. Saw 2 ENTs. Had 2 CTs with contrast, one MRI (probably am irradiated for life), scoped from nasal passages to stomach. No tumors. No cysts. No infections (herpes, strep, etc.). Throat looks pink and healthy and reasonably symmetrical.

Referred to 2 neurologists. Both scratching their heads... "all the usual stuff is not working."

But, throughout and with research and discussion with all physicians a couple of possible causes have arisen and I've been referred to a university hospital as an interesting case.

Symptoms share commonalities with the following:

1) TMJ
2) Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (rare)
3) Trigeminal neuralgia.

Some types of drugs have been prescribed (carbamazepine), as well as well wishers looking at me as if I'm nuts. I wish I were. Nothing helps, nothing hits it. If Trigeminal neuralgia, then approach is RF Rhizotomogy of 8th cranial nerve. However, if Glosso, then only real cure is surgery of 9th cranial nerve, possible cause being blood vessel impinging on nerve. However, had MRI of head, and does not show any blood vessel impingement.

That's what I have. Any comments?

[LollyM]

sounds like you may have Eagle's Syndrome - You need to see an oral surgeon and get a CT of the maxofacial bones.

[ronnie8077]

hi all ive a lot of the symtom lists,feel better now.i also suffer from acid reflux ive heard it could be related

[gf72]

Just an update on me.  After about a year the pain finally went away I also took ibuprofen when it was really bothering and that seemed to help a lot.  I think it  was probably a pulled muscle, ligament, tendon, something that just wouldn't heal.  i had quite a few test done and that was the best guess i received as the ct scans never revealed anything.  I still have the lump but it appears its just a lymph node that is going to stay swollen.   i also had really bad acid reflux at the time where i would wake up at night choking, i think they may have caused my initial problem.