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ear pain/ swelling goiter and neck

I'm wondering if anyone has or is experiencing ear pain (eye pain/dull headache)? My thyroid levels were high/abnormal about 3 months ago, last month I was retested and they were low. But there is something that is worrying me, burning pain in my right ear (sometimes my left). The right side of my neck and my goiter swell up also. I have some kind of ball like a pimple or big mole behind my right ear, it hurts when I press. I got it about a month ago tried to squeeze it thinking it was a big pimple. I told my husband to check behind by ear. I got scared when he said it didn't look like a pimple but more like a big mole but a little darker than my skin tone. Then I rub upwards and came upon another one that was smaller but very hard and I dont'know if pressing it aggravated it, but it got bigger like the other one. I am scared at this point because I havent been checked for cancer yet, I was put on medication (generic brand for synthroid, don't feel it's helping).

If there is someone that can guide me on this, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you
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Avatar universal
Our car accident was between Elko and Las Vegas, they took my husband, his brother & wife in ambulance and airlifted my daughter to Elko, I accompanied her. From there transfered to Utah where I accompanied her again. You are right they give such great care to their patients. I think it was 3 days we were there. They gave me one of the nurses suit, I didn't have clothes. They called a hotel explained our situation and the hotel gave us 2 rooms one for us, another for my husband's brother & wife. I was amazed they were wonderful to us and the hotel. From the hotel we left on a plane back home to WA the next day, our families purchased the tickets to get us home.

We were so blessed during this time, and I will always be thankful to everyone for their support.

It is a small world! I can't believe you worked there, that's wonderful! I live in WA not very close to Utah but I will consider the opportunity of seeing a great Dr. I've always been terrified of being put to sleep but if it comes down to it I would like to be in the best hands possible besides God's.

Thank you so much! Take Care!
Helpful - 0
158939 tn?1274915197
Wow - your story of your car accident just sent shivers down my spine.  And your daughter was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake - what a small world.  I used to do PR for a medical support group (organ donation) and spent quite a bit of time at Primary Children's.  Amazing hospital and heaven-sent staff!!

You said your accident happened in Nevada and I'm assuming Northern Nevada (otherwise they would have flown your daughter to Las Vegas or Loma Linda).  If you are at all close to Utah, I can give you the names of my wonderful endocrinologist (not the bad one - no way!).  His office is not far from Primary Children's.  And, heaven forbid, you ever need surgery on your thyroid the most amazing surgeon who did both my surgeries, all 4 of my sisters', and my daughter's is at LDS Hospital (not far from Primary Children's).

I know there is a pretty good selection of medical professionals in Reno but I'm not sure what else you may have near where you live.  Salt Lake may seem like a back-woods place but we have two Level-1 trauma centers, a medical school and you've seen our amazing children's hospital.  Let me know.

I'm glad your daughter - and the rest of you - were okay!
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Avatar universal
Utahmomma,

Our oldest son is 11 then 2 boys 10,7 our miracle girl 5. I say miracle because I asked God for her and she was a suprise. I said in my other post we had a car accident 4yrs ago.

I was trying to write more details but it was too long. It was the first time I didn't have her in the carseat we were passengers. Not sleeping, forgetting, being in a rush due to my husband's step-dad's death, and tried to get the carseat to fit. It happened my daughter was ejected she ended up about 20ft away from the truck. Her forehead slit open where you could see her bone. I felt so helpless and was depending on God to save her. She was airlifted from Nev. to a hospital there, then to Utah children's hospital. She had a catscan in Nev. that revealed her neck was about to  dislocate. In Utah they did x-ray after x-ray trying to find this problem. The nurse came out and said to me, "It's a miracle your daugters neck is fine! The plastic surgeon was hoping she would be asleep when she started working on her. She closed her eyes a couple seconds right before the surgeon leaned over to start. That day I knew that God was taking care of her.


I will check the website you posted, and try not to worry so much. I understand you know how it feels when your child depends on you to be around. I'm thankful to have found you and GravesLady Thank you for being here, Take care!
Helpful - 0
158939 tn?1274915197
I posted to your other questions but you brought up a couple of other points here.  You will hear from everyone on this forum about their "favorite" synthetic thyroid.  For me, I *have* to take synthroid - generic doesn't work.  For others, it's just the opposite.  Some have to take natural thyroid (doesn't work as well for me), some need T3 and T4 replacement.  It is nearly impossible for a doctor to find the right medication and dosage right away for any thyroid patient.  I hope that your doctor is an endocrinologist - if not, please find one.  Most of the GP and internal medicine MDs I've spoken with won't even begin to mess with thyroid medications - they refer to an endocrinologist.

As for your concern about cancer.  I understand completely.  I'm a single mother of two and my thyroid cancer diagnosis was very frightening (my "baby" was 11 at the time).  *If* and only IF, you do have a malignant thyroid nodule, don't panic (99% of nodules ARE NOT cancerous).  Most types of thyroid cancer are very slow growing and easily controlled.  Most of us only have to undergo surgery (and it's a rather easy surgery) and perhaps some radio-iodine treatment.  No hair loss, no chemo.  http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyroidca.html

Be aggressive with your doctor(s) and get an ultrasound of your thyroid.  It's a simple, non-invasive test and there really isn't a reason why you SHOULDN'T have one - especially with your goiter and problems by your ears.  If your doctor isn't an endocrinologist or isn't aggressive enough for you, please find another doctor.

Keep us posted, don't panic, and remember that you have lots of friends here to talk to!
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Avatar universal
Thank's for writting back so soon. I will try to stay positive and take one day at a time. It's just that I get depressed when I think about my 4 kids, and my husband that is probably having a health problem.

He's been a welder 10yrs and had problems with coughing for about 5-7 yrs I believe but didn't like to complain said it was a welder's cough. Last week he suddenly started bleeding from his nose and I worry he may have something. He's been working about 6 months for a new company that gives him the best protection he needed in other jobs. I can't imagine my kids being without us.

P.S I had been trying to post to a Dr for sometime and suddenly thought I had but my post somehow ended up above this one. I don't know where I went wrong? I'm still new and trying to find my way around here.


I don't know if it matters to be on generic synthroid or not but my husband thinks I should take the original one. Do you think it's probably better? or how much it may cost? I don't have insurance.


Thank you,

-angelicaofthewind
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thyroid meds takes at least 6 weeks to 12 weeks to get into blood stream enough for its full benefits and blood test.  It might take a while longer to see any improvement in your goiter, if there is going to be.  However all goiters/nodules should be evaluated regardless.  Very small percentage of goiters/nodules are cancerous, so try to stay positive, you may be worring about nothing.

Good Luck.
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Avatar universal
Thank's for responding I will call my Dr and see what he says. I have an appt in 6 weeks, I wish there was a way I could find out if I have thyroid cancer without having to wait so long. My goiter doesn't shrink and is big, the right side of my neck and cheek/jaw is bigger than the left. I have a feeling that he may not take me seriously or doesn't think my problem is too bad because I'm young and look healthy.

It was my first appt last month he was nice, I told him I felt my neck was thicker on the right side, but for some reason that day my left side got swollen. Anyway he said I was probably just checking my neck too much. He knows that 3 months prior is when I had some kind of attack that I couldn't breathe right and hurt so much to swallow and the goiter got swollen.

That's when I knew I had a problem. If I would have known what thyroid was I would have gotten checked before, as I did notice a difference in my swallowing years ago. I know in my heart I may have had the goiter at least 1 yr but a thyroid problem much longer. The goiter did get bigger since it first swelled up. Do you think it still gets swollen because I only have 2 weeks on medication? I take it every morning before 8:30 am on an empty stomach. I do get sleepy during the day, I just take it as more fatigue.  

Thank's again,
-angelicaofthewind
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It takes a while to find the right med. dose and level for you. If you are not feeling that meds aren't working then you might need some dose adjustment, and, that might be the reason for goiter swelling as well. But have the doctor check it out for just incase, as well as your "mole(s)".

Good luck
Helpful - 0
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