Neck, jaw, ear pain WORRIED

[ashmlocke]

I have a question and am worried. I am a 26 year old female. I just got over a cold about a week ago. The cold lasted about 2-3 weeks and the symptoms were a really runny and congested nose, sneezing, and coughing. About a week ago it felt like a lymphnode under my chin was swollen and kind of sore. That worried me. Yesterday I started having ear pain on that same side. Today the ear pain is worse and my ear feels full, it's hard to describe. It hurts from my lymph node and into my  jaw and ear.
I am the type of person that always jumps to the worst conclusion. Could it be that I just have an ear infection and that the swollen lymph node was trying to fight it and lost? And now it's maybe infected from my cold?
I don't have any health insurance and I don't have any money so going to a doctor is out of the question at this point in time. If it doesn't get better in a week or so I'll go in, but I'd like some opinions right now, I am kind of freaking out that I have thyroid cancer or something terrible. HELP?

[bsmsl]

You can calm down.  The thyroid is lower in your neck than what you are describing.  

I would be much more inclined to think that you have an ear infection.  Since this has been going on for over 3 weeks already, the chances of this going away on its own are very slim.  It is time to see someone.  

Depending on what part of the country you are in, some pharmacies have Nurse Practitioners offices in them.  CVS and Walgreens both have these in some areas.  That would be a cheaper option than a doctor's office visit.  

Feel better.

[OHNS2010]

Hi,

The way you have described can help any clinician to make a quick diagnosis.

1. Initially, the symptoms you have mentioned correlates with an upper respiratory tract infection, followed by development of lymph nodes in the chin.

2. Your ear ache is because of Acute Otits media, this usually follows an upper respiratory tract infection/ nasal allergies/sinusitis.

I would suggest you to take antibiotics (such as Augmentin, if you are not allergic to this), mucolytics (such as bromhexine or ambroxyl), saline nasal drops - 10 minutes after instilling this nasal drops please do steam inhalations, pain relievers (such as Ibuprofen/diclofenac/acetaminophen) and drink plenty of warm water. Hope so, most of your problems will be solved.

Please do not worry; there are no symptoms of thyroid cancer.

All the Best

Regards
OHNS2010

[Londres70]

In my opinion, I doubt this is any Thyroid CA.  Do you have any history of thyroid problems?

Sounds like it is related to an infection.  

Lastly, if you start to see nodes swell, I would be trying to see a physician.