Lump in neck causing occasional extreme pain

[Amberjak]

I'm not even sure if I'm in the right forum but hopefully someone can help or at least point me in the right direction. To start, I will try to be as detailed as possible. I have had a large lump in my neck for at least 5 years now. The lump is not noticeable. The lump is located at the base of the skull, under my hair line, between the left side of spine and the left trapezius muscle (I believe it's the correct muscle). The lump can not be felt if head is facing forward and level. The lump can be felt if head is lowered, with chin to chest. In this position, the lump is nearly the size of a ping pong ball cut in half; but it is more oblong than round. I can always feel it but not as a pain but feels more like a stiff neck. If I look in any direction, down or up, for more than 5 - 10 minutes as when I'm on my computer at work, sleeping, etc., I begin to feel a dull pain. Once the pain begins, it progressively gets worse over a 2 - 3 hour period until an unbearable stabbing pain encompasses my entire head. The more pain I feel, the more my neck muscles tense up, the more my neck muscles tense, the more pain I feel.

I went to see my General Practicioner and he said it could be a tumor or a cyst. He gave me perscriptions for Flexeril and Naproxin in hopes it would help to alleviate the pain and soreness. He also told me to see a Dermatologist about the lump. I saw a Dermatologist but she said the lump was not skin related and appears to be something I would need to see a Neurologist about. This was 3 months ago. I have yet to get an appointment to see a Neurologist as none seem to want any "new" patients.

If I am home and I begin to feel the pain I take (1) 10 mg Flexeril tablet and (1) Naproxin tablet, take a long hot shower letting the hot water run upon my neck, and go directly to sleep in my bed. This is the ONLY thing that helps but needless to say if I am not at home, I can not do this until eventually the pain becomes so unbearable I can not function much less drive a vehicle to go home. My life is beginning to suffer due to this and I want it taken care of as in removed. What is this lump? Can it be removed? What are the dangers of trying to remove it being so close to my spine at the base of my skull?

[PsyChris]

It sounds like you are being referred to a neurologist because of the proximity to the spine. You will need to have an MRI of the area to determine what this "lump" is. If it is a tumor, they may do a biopsy and wait for those results before they schedule any-type of surgery.

You might be able to get your general practitioner to order an MRI but then you both have the problem of finding a specialist to treat it. Your doctor is obligated to find proper treatment if you present him with results of a test, asking for help.