In December, I started having terrible neck (like my head was too heavy for my body) and shoulder pain, along with headaches. Went to my chiropractor, who diagnosed me with Forward Head Posture. Had never heard of it, but it made sense after him explaining that my posture was so poor (from 30+ yrs working either at a microscope or computer desk) that my head is too far forward, causing many problems, including the neck and shoulder pain. I've been being treated by my chiro for this for the past 3 months. While it has gotten alot better, I still experience dull pain in my neck and burning pain radiating from the neck to shoulders. I also now have pain in what seems to be my right shoulder joint, really noticeable when I try to raise my right arm. However, I have full range of motion.
I am experiencing other symptoms as well that are leading me to believe there is something else going on. I have had weird sensations (not numbness or pain exactly) in my neck, like it's just thick or swollen. Occasional sore throat. I also get sore glands in the neck. About a year ago I was having recurring sore throats, not associated with a cold. Went to an ENT who did an endoscopy that was normal. I've also been diagnosed with pharangytis in the past year.
Back to the present; other symptoms are intermittent ear pain that comes and goes, along with jaw pain that comes and goes, dry mouth, chills, night sweats, joint pain (hips, knees, sometimes elbows and fingers), urination urgency, clearing of throat, occasional shortness of breath, cough. I also have acid reflux. A few days ago, I went to the doc for my annual check-up. He noticed that my right neck lymph node was slightly swollen, so he ordered xrays of my neck (no results yet), and am also going in for a CT scan of the neck today.
Don't think I mentioned it yet, but I am a heavy smoker for years-I am 51. I know, I have tried to quit several times, but I HAVE TO find a way to quit for good!! I don't want or need a lecture about it, I do that to myself enough. Anyway, I also had a breathing test, which I haven't gotten the results back yet, but don't think I did very well.
The dr. did not do xrays on the shoulder; he thinks it is tendonitis? He also believes the ear and jaw pain may be TMJ. He has been my doctor for years, and knows my medical history. Also did a blood work up the other day and the results are as follows. The ABS EOSINPHILS reading has actually improved since the last lab, but my WBC is very elevated. After reading some of these posts, I am very concerned about lung cancer. Any info or advice would be appreciated!
WBC: 16.28 Ref Range: 3.70-10.40k/uL
Hemoglobin 15.2 Ref Range: 11.8-15.1 g/dl
Absolute Neut Count: 10.58 Ref Range: 2.00-8.70 k/uL
ABS EOSINOPHILS .75 Ref Range: 0.00-0.50 k/uL