Aa
Thyroid: burning feeling neck/ear
Hi,
It was 3 mo. ago I woke up with a swollen goiter, difficulty breathing, alot of pain when swallowing, dizzines, numbness mixed with pain, headaches. It continued a little over 1 mo. breathing being worse 3 times. I believe I may have had the goiter maybe for 1 yr as I noticed a difference in my swallowing and neck.
I was in a rollover car accident 4yrs ago that caused whiplash, stiff neck pain that I still have. When I move my neck I sometimes still feel/hear crackling.
I'm on generic synthroid 2 wks. My goiter has grown since the past 3 months and right side of my neck is thick, there is an area that seems to be attached to the goiter. I had ear pain in both ears for about 1 mo, my right ear hurt more. The pain was not that of an ear infection, it was different mixed with hot burning feeling. I was feeling good 1 week starting 2 days before I took my first pill.
My ear pain is back but it's more of the burning feeling I'm experiencing and seems to be changing from ear to ear (one more than the other or both at the same time). At the same time the side of my neck mostly right side and under my jawline is also feeling this way. For the last 2 yrs I have also been getting painful sharp pain in my right eye.
Something strange is growing behind my right ear one is almost like a blister more oval, the other a little bigger and hard they feel sore if I press it.
May Dr says I may be hypothyroid what really concerns me is cancer. Is there a chance I may have it or can these symptoms be normal? I appreciate your opinion.
Thank you for your time
It was 3 mo. ago I woke up with a swollen goiter, difficulty breathing, alot of pain when swallowing, dizzines, numbness mixed with pain, headaches. It continued a little over 1 mo. breathing being worse 3 times. I believe I may have had the goiter maybe for 1 yr as I noticed a difference in my swallowing and neck.
I was in a rollover car accident 4yrs ago that caused whiplash, stiff neck pain that I still have. When I move my neck I sometimes still feel/hear crackling.
I'm on generic synthroid 2 wks. My goiter has grown since the past 3 months and right side of my neck is thick, there is an area that seems to be attached to the goiter. I had ear pain in both ears for about 1 mo, my right ear hurt more. The pain was not that of an ear infection, it was different mixed with hot burning feeling. I was feeling good 1 week starting 2 days before I took my first pill.
My ear pain is back but it's more of the burning feeling I'm experiencing and seems to be changing from ear to ear (one more than the other or both at the same time). At the same time the side of my neck mostly right side and under my jawline is also feeling this way. For the last 2 yrs I have also been getting painful sharp pain in my right eye.
Something strange is growing behind my right ear one is almost like a blister more oval, the other a little bigger and hard they feel sore if I press it.
May Dr says I may be hypothyroid what really concerns me is cancer. Is there a chance I may have it or can these symptoms be normal? I appreciate your opinion.
Thank you for your time
Question: Do you think it's still possible for me to get life insurance? Since I'm already seeing an Endo, I have to say I have a Thyroid problem?huh?
Since I'm not exactly diagnosed or "labeled" should I say I have a problem?
Since I'm not exactly diagnosed or "labeled" should I say I have a problem?
I understand the RAI is after surgery only. My gut feeling tells me I should get a 2nd opinion. Can you please stand by with a recommendation? I've been having the breathing and swallowing problem again. It doesn't seem to want to relax. The swallowing pain changes. It feels tight inside, I'm already use to swallowing hard. The other day was a bit strange the little pill got stuck and I couldn't make it go down. I kept drinking water, It may have just dissolved where it was.
I don't remember if I mentioned what happened to me in June. I had just moved to Moses Lake. I had soreness in my right breast for maybe 2-3 yrs off and on, also some in the left (less). It was in the 1st or 2nd wk of June, the pain became worse by the day. I will never forget how terrible it was, it was in both sides the right being worse. It involved extreme burning soreness pain, itching on nipple. Couldn't go anywhere and couldn't stand the bra a difficult time sleeping. I had very bad pain in upper back/shoulder area and in my right arm. This lasted about 3 wks. I became very depressed and didn't know what to do for the pain. My husband thought it was some kind of development thing I was going through?. I called the hospital to see if I could get a mammogram or something. They gave me a # to call, I wasn't old enough for one. My Dr did an exam & gave me pills. The pain started decreasing on it's own (before I took the pill-took 1).
It started hurting again, it hasn't gotten as bad as the last time. Again the right side feels worse and is bugging me to sleep and throughout the day. I had noticed a small change for a while, the right side where the strap that attaches to the cup goes, that area is thicker than the left side and it feels sore (worse by wearing bra). This adds more pressure to my other problems. I doubt it's related to my thyroid. I'll tell my Dr next wk and see if she can oder some exam.
About your mom I somehow understand her. I feel in a state of denial sometimes with my health problems and wonder if natures way is the best way, like eat the way it says in the bible. I know God can do miracles but I think he can also do them through a surgeons hand for example. He is my only hope in getting better. I truly wish you and your family the best in health.
I'll stay in touch..Take Care of yourself!
-angelicaofthewind
I don't remember if I mentioned what happened to me in June. I had just moved to Moses Lake. I had soreness in my right breast for maybe 2-3 yrs off and on, also some in the left (less). It was in the 1st or 2nd wk of June, the pain became worse by the day. I will never forget how terrible it was, it was in both sides the right being worse. It involved extreme burning soreness pain, itching on nipple. Couldn't go anywhere and couldn't stand the bra a difficult time sleeping. I had very bad pain in upper back/shoulder area and in my right arm. This lasted about 3 wks. I became very depressed and didn't know what to do for the pain. My husband thought it was some kind of development thing I was going through?. I called the hospital to see if I could get a mammogram or something. They gave me a # to call, I wasn't old enough for one. My Dr did an exam & gave me pills. The pain started decreasing on it's own (before I took the pill-took 1).
It started hurting again, it hasn't gotten as bad as the last time. Again the right side feels worse and is bugging me to sleep and throughout the day. I had noticed a small change for a while, the right side where the strap that attaches to the cup goes, that area is thicker than the left side and it feels sore (worse by wearing bra). This adds more pressure to my other problems. I doubt it's related to my thyroid. I'll tell my Dr next wk and see if she can oder some exam.
About your mom I somehow understand her. I feel in a state of denial sometimes with my health problems and wonder if natures way is the best way, like eat the way it says in the bible. I know God can do miracles but I think he can also do them through a surgeons hand for example. He is my only hope in getting better. I truly wish you and your family the best in health.
I'll stay in touch..Take Care of yourself!
-angelicaofthewind
I'm not 100% sure on the insurance and I'm sure it varies by company but you haven't been officially diagnosed with anything right now.
About your breast pain - NEVER, NEVER, NEVER let them tell you you are too young for a test. I have known plenty of women in their 20s and 30s who have had breast cancer. Do you have a family history of any cancers?
Your breast pain doesn't sound like it is thyroid related but there is a rare form of breast cancer (sorry to keep throwing the "C" word at you) called Paget's disease that has symptoms similar to what you have experienced: http://www.center4research.org/pagets.html
I'm really not trying to frighten you - I just wish someone would treat your symptoms and not just tell you "you're too young" or "it's a normal goiter". Arrgghhh!!
We need to find you some competent medical help. I'll start on my Washington and Oregon network.
About your breast pain - NEVER, NEVER, NEVER let them tell you you are too young for a test. I have known plenty of women in their 20s and 30s who have had breast cancer. Do you have a family history of any cancers?
Your breast pain doesn't sound like it is thyroid related but there is a rare form of breast cancer (sorry to keep throwing the "C" word at you) called Paget's disease that has symptoms similar to what you have experienced: http://www.center4research.org/pagets.html
I'm really not trying to frighten you - I just wish someone would treat your symptoms and not just tell you "you're too young" or "it's a normal goiter". Arrgghhh!!
We need to find you some competent medical help. I'll start on my Washington and Oregon network.
I understand the insurance problem and hoe frightening it is. Been there for about a year and it was frightening. In fact, one of my sisters put off her diagnosis and treatment for a few months to get better insurance and apply for life insurance before her file got tagged with the big "C" word.
If your doctor thinks the bumps are an infection, what would it hurt to try you on antibiotics and see if it makes a difference. He is correct that it's rare to have thyroid cancer but, as you've seen on this forum, it's not unheard of. You still need to be checked for it. Many doctors have preconceived notions of what you could, and could not have. Don't let them do this to you!
One endocrinologist (the one I fired, in fact) stated that "you cannot have Hashimoto's and thyroid cancer" - my family proved that wrong. My mother has a huge goiter and we KNOW it's cancerous (4 / 5 of her daughters have thyroid cancer) but she won't get it treated because one of her friends said you can't have a goiter and thyroid cancer.
You will find that many doctors may write you off as a hypochondriac, "emotional", or looking for pain meds. Don't take it personal - just walk away and find a different doctor.
If you get in a pinch for a doctor, hit this forum up. I have connections in Spokane, Seattle, Portland, and Idaho. I'm not sure what part of Washington you are in but they may be an option (especially after you get on your husband's insurance). I'm not sure about your "pre-existing" condition if you don't have a diagnosis but it would be worth trying to get them to cover as much as possible.
The bumps (I'm betting they are lymph nodes) sound frightening - please don't put them off until the insurance kicks in, even if it is just getting on antibiotics to see if they will go down. (Don't forget to take acidophilus with the antibiotics)
Take care and keep us posted!!
If your doctor thinks the bumps are an infection, what would it hurt to try you on antibiotics and see if it makes a difference. He is correct that it's rare to have thyroid cancer but, as you've seen on this forum, it's not unheard of. You still need to be checked for it. Many doctors have preconceived notions of what you could, and could not have. Don't let them do this to you!
One endocrinologist (the one I fired, in fact) stated that "you cannot have Hashimoto's and thyroid cancer" - my family proved that wrong. My mother has a huge goiter and we KNOW it's cancerous (4 / 5 of her daughters have thyroid cancer) but she won't get it treated because one of her friends said you can't have a goiter and thyroid cancer.
You will find that many doctors may write you off as a hypochondriac, "emotional", or looking for pain meds. Don't take it personal - just walk away and find a different doctor.
If you get in a pinch for a doctor, hit this forum up. I have connections in Spokane, Seattle, Portland, and Idaho. I'm not sure what part of Washington you are in but they may be an option (especially after you get on your husband's insurance). I'm not sure about your "pre-existing" condition if you don't have a diagnosis but it would be worth trying to get them to cover as much as possible.
The bumps (I'm betting they are lymph nodes) sound frightening - please don't put them off until the insurance kicks in, even if it is just getting on antibiotics to see if they will go down. (Don't forget to take acidophilus with the antibiotics)
Take care and keep us posted!!
Utahmomma I've read about lymph nodes aren't those the ones they do surgery on (take out)? Are they cancerous or is it like an infection? Because yesterday that I spoke to him he did mention lymph nodes but didn't seem worried.
We relocated to Moses Lake we are close to Spokane probably 1-2hrs? I also have my Dad & sister in Seattle. I probably sound like a broken record but I'm really grateful to you for helping me in this. My husband doesn't really mind the distance as long as I'm in good hands (me too), went to seattle alot before we moved.
You're right though I don't think I have a diagnoses. My Dr wrote a note for me 8/23 it says...
" Above patient has hx of Dysphagia and abnormal thyroid antibodies probably representing a Thyroiditis. She requires refferal to Endocrinologist for further evaluation and definitive treatment"
I know there is a pill they give some people, I think it's for a couple of days and you can't be close to people. My Endo mentioned a little bit but said he would explain later.
Can I be checked for cancer in my goiter during the same time I'm on treatment? I don't even know how big it is yet? I know my thyroid levels are important but I really would like to know more about my goiter. Do you know if an Endo is able to read the ultrasound X-rays? I will see him Monday he said in the morning didn't give me a time.
I'm so sorry about your mom, I can't believe her friend is telling her that. That's terrible I hope she can soon realize on how dangerous her condition really is and get treated as soon as possible. Then thyroid cancer can run down the family, that's scary.
Take care, I'll stay posted..
-angelicaofthewind
We relocated to Moses Lake we are close to Spokane probably 1-2hrs? I also have my Dad & sister in Seattle. I probably sound like a broken record but I'm really grateful to you for helping me in this. My husband doesn't really mind the distance as long as I'm in good hands (me too), went to seattle alot before we moved.
You're right though I don't think I have a diagnoses. My Dr wrote a note for me 8/23 it says...
" Above patient has hx of Dysphagia and abnormal thyroid antibodies probably representing a Thyroiditis. She requires refferal to Endocrinologist for further evaluation and definitive treatment"
I know there is a pill they give some people, I think it's for a couple of days and you can't be close to people. My Endo mentioned a little bit but said he would explain later.
Can I be checked for cancer in my goiter during the same time I'm on treatment? I don't even know how big it is yet? I know my thyroid levels are important but I really would like to know more about my goiter. Do you know if an Endo is able to read the ultrasound X-rays? I will see him Monday he said in the morning didn't give me a time.
I'm so sorry about your mom, I can't believe her friend is telling her that. That's terrible I hope she can soon realize on how dangerous her condition really is and get treated as soon as possible. Then thyroid cancer can run down the family, that's scary.
Take care, I'll stay posted..
-angelicaofthewind
I read your story and I'm amazed. I had a feeling there were some Dr's who didn't really care much. I appreciate you taking your time in sharing your experience with me. I'm glad you took that step, and that you are better now. It is motivating for me so I can learn to stand up for myself and speakout if needed, especially in these circumstances.
I feel intimidated by Dr's and feel helpless in my own health problems, because I know when I say I feel bad somewhere they usually try finding another reason that doesn't target a health problem (like not excercising enough, or some other reason), and just give some kind of pain reliever instead of trying to find the problem. That's why I lost trust in the ones I've had. I'm hoping my Endo won't let me down.
I don't know what is happening to me but it's scary. Remember what I said about my ears, the 2 uneven bumps are bigger and now they are a bruised color like purple? The strange thing is the night of the 16th I thought I felt a little bump starting behind my left ear. Well, it was but it grew too fast it's the size like one of the right ones.
I just talked to my Endo right now he said I can go see him Friday or Monday morning. I asked him if he knew if my ultrasound exams had been checked for anything suspicious. He said "like cancer"? I replied yes, and he said it would be unusual for me to have it, that my ear problems may related to an infection. My bumps will hurt (I think it's because I check them), and he said when it's cancer it doesn't hurt.
I think that if I don't get the proper treatment for my thyroid problems it will be because I have no insurance. I've applied for medical and they want more information to see if I'm disabled. I'm not, so I'm sure I will be denied. My other option will be getting qualified under my husband's insurance (which is really what I preffer). He will be getting his benefits in 1 mo., some of his co-workers have told him they cover 100%. I know insurances don't take pre-existing conditions so I will probably be faced with this.
I will go for now, after your meeting you still took the time to write? Thank you! I appreciate this. But, next time you should relax and rest first your body needs it. I understand and don't mind if you can't write soon. GravesLady and you have welcomed me very well and have been an encouragement for me. I hope to learn more from both of you. You also make me feel at home.
Take good care...
-angelicaofthewind
I feel intimidated by Dr's and feel helpless in my own health problems, because I know when I say I feel bad somewhere they usually try finding another reason that doesn't target a health problem (like not excercising enough, or some other reason), and just give some kind of pain reliever instead of trying to find the problem. That's why I lost trust in the ones I've had. I'm hoping my Endo won't let me down.
I don't know what is happening to me but it's scary. Remember what I said about my ears, the 2 uneven bumps are bigger and now they are a bruised color like purple? The strange thing is the night of the 16th I thought I felt a little bump starting behind my left ear. Well, it was but it grew too fast it's the size like one of the right ones.
I just talked to my Endo right now he said I can go see him Friday or Monday morning. I asked him if he knew if my ultrasound exams had been checked for anything suspicious. He said "like cancer"? I replied yes, and he said it would be unusual for me to have it, that my ear problems may related to an infection. My bumps will hurt (I think it's because I check them), and he said when it's cancer it doesn't hurt.
I think that if I don't get the proper treatment for my thyroid problems it will be because I have no insurance. I've applied for medical and they want more information to see if I'm disabled. I'm not, so I'm sure I will be denied. My other option will be getting qualified under my husband's insurance (which is really what I preffer). He will be getting his benefits in 1 mo., some of his co-workers have told him they cover 100%. I know insurances don't take pre-existing conditions so I will probably be faced with this.
I will go for now, after your meeting you still took the time to write? Thank you! I appreciate this. But, next time you should relax and rest first your body needs it. I understand and don't mind if you can't write soon. GravesLady and you have welcomed me very well and have been an encouragement for me. I hope to learn more from both of you. You also make me feel at home.
Take good care...
-angelicaofthewind
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